How to Treat Vaginal Cysts

Women often have cysts that are small, painless, and usually resolve on their own (inclusion cysts). However, if the lumps are shaped like pockets around the vulva or vagina, it is possible that they are epidermoid cysts. These cysts are usually painless, especially if they are small. Vaginal cysts can form as a result of trauma, surgery, childbirth, or for unknown reasons. You should monitor these cysts, as they can become painful and irritated, especially when infected.

Table of Contents

Diagnosis and monitoring of cysts

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Consider what type your cyst is. Most vaginal cysts are epidermoid cysts. These cysts are small, painless, often indistinct and resolve on their own. If you see cysts on both sides of the vaginal opening, it’s probably a Barthpin’s cyst. Normally, these glands secrete fluid that lubricates the labia and vaginal opening, but when the glands become blocked, fluid-filled cysts form. ^{[1] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to the source} Less common types of cysts that can develop inside the vagina include:

Gartne duct cysts: These cysts form during fetal development and disappear after birth. Cysts that develop in later stages should be diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging.
Muller duct cysts: These cysts develop from fetal structures, usually disappear after birth, but in some cases do not. These cysts are filled with mucus and can form anywhere in the vaginal wall.

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Watch for signs of infection. Most cysts won’t cause any discomfort, but you’ll notice some signs if they become infected. It is important that you pay attention to these symptoms in order to seek medical attention quickly. Signs of infection include: ^{[2] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

A lump near the vaginal opening, pain or tenderness
Redness and swelling around the tumor
Discomfort when walking or sitting
Pain during intercourse
Fever

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Know when to see a doctor. You should call your general practitioner or gynecologist if you have symptoms of an infection or if there is pain in a cyst. A common bacterial infection or sexually transmitted disease can cause cysts to become uncomfortable. These cases require medical treatment. You should let your doctor know if the cyst comes back, even if home treatment is effective. Recurring cysts require surgical treatment.

Women over 40 with Barthpin’s gland cysts need surgical removal of the cyst. Your doctor will run tests to rule out cancer, although Barthpin’s adenocarcinoma is extremely rare. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

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Follow the doctor’s instructions. In addition to testing cysts for cancer, your doctor may have to treat infected cysts. Treatments may include draining the Barthpin’s gland cyst with an incision and keeping it open with stitches that are removed a few days later. You will probably have a tube inserted to drain the cyst. Your doctor may also surgically remove the cyst if the cyst recurs, the cyst is large, or painful.

Remember that most vaginal cysts do not require treatment and will go away on their own. If they do not go away on their own, these cysts remain small and painless.

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Visit a gynecologist regularly. If your cysts have been removed, you should have regular check-ups to see if they return. Anyway, regular gynecological examination is also a must. Gynecological exams can detect cysts and cervical cancer early. The American College of Physicians recommends that women at average risk of cervical cancer have Pap smears and gynecological exams on a new schedule as follows: ^{[4] X Credentials Harvard Medical Schop Go to the source}

Age 21 to 29: every 3 years
Ages 30 to 65: every 3 years (or HPV test and smear every 5 years)
Over 65 years old: no need to see if the most recent test is normal

Vaginal cyst treatment at home

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Soak in a sitting tub. Pour warm water into the sitz bath mounted on the toilet. This is an item that helps you sit in and soak the private area. Add 1-2 tablespoons of epsom salt to the water and stir until dissolved. Sit in the tub for 10-20 minutes, twice a day. You should soak in the sitz bath for 3-4 days or until the condition of the cyst improves. ^{[5] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

You can buy a sitz bath at a drugstore or medical supply store. If you don’t have a sitz bath, just fill the tub up to a few centimeters.

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Soak apple cider vinegar. While more research is still needed, it is believed that apple cider vinegar can help reduce the size and swelling of vaginal cysts. You can either mix 1 cup of apple cider vinegar in a sitz bath and soak, or dip a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and apply it to the cyst for 30 minutes, twice a day until the swelling subsides.

Although apple cider vinegar is a popular home remedy, scientists recommend against relying on vinegar as a medical treatment. ^{[6] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

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Warm compress. Pour hot water into the bottle and cover with a clean cloth. Apply a water bottle to the cyst to relieve pain. You can also try using a hot pack, but be sure to put a piece of cloth between your skin and the pack. Be careful not to burn the delicate tissues in the vaginal area.

You can also dip a piece of cotton or felt cloth in hot water, wring it out, and apply it to the cyst. ^{[7] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}

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Apply the aloe mixture. Mix 1-2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel with ¼ – ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder. Mix thoroughly until a paste is formed. Use a cotton ball or cotton swab to apply the mixture to the cyst. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes, once a day. Do not wash or wipe clean, just let the mixture dissolve on its own.

You can use tampons every day to keep the turmeric color from staining your clothes.
Studies have proven that turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties. ^{[8] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to the source} This may help reduce irritation from vaginal cysts.

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Take over-the-counter pain relievers. Cysts usually take a few days to heal, so you may need to take a pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. If you still have severe pain after taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, contact your doctor. ^{[9] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dosage and duration of medication.

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Avoid irritating the cyst. Never rub a cyst, even when cleaning. Soaking in a sitz bath or regular bath is enough to keep the cyst area clean. You should never douche, as this is unnecessary, can irritate the cyst, and in general can be harmful to women’s health. ^{[10] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

Because cyst irritation must be avoided, you should use tampons instead of tampons during your period.

Advice

Abscesses (infectious cysts) do not always drain immediately. You must wait until drainage is possible, which is when the cyst has hardened. If the cyst ruptures too soon, no fluid will escape and may need to be drained again. If drainage is not possible, you may be prescribed antibiotics, immobilized the cyst at home, and usually scheduled to return in 24-48 hours for a re-examination. Sometimes the cyst will burst and drain on its own without intervention.

Steps

Diagnosis and monitoring of cysts

Vaginal cyst treatment at home

Advice

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