Skene’s Gland Cyst

What is a Skene’s gland cyst?

A Skene’s gland cyst is a cyst near the urethral opening (pee hole) in a person assigned female at birth (AFAB). Skene’s glands exist on either side of your urethra and produce fluid for lubrication. Cysts are sacs of tissue that contain fluid.

Hearing that you have any type of cyst can give you pause, especially if it develops in a sensitive area. But Skene’s gland cysts aren’t cancerous (they’re benign), and they aren’t common. You may not even know you have one because they’re often small and don’t always cause symptoms (they’re asymptomatic). Asymptomatic Skene’s gland cysts don’t need treatment.

Other names for Skene’s gland cysts include paraurethral cysts and Skene’s duct cysts.

How common are Skene’s gland cysts?

Skene’s gland cysts are rare. Healthcare providers rarely report them in adults. One study estimates that they occur in between 1 in 2,000 and 1 in 7,000 newborns (congenital Skene’s gland cyst).

What are the symptoms of a Skene’s gland cyst?

A cyst on your Skene’s gland may not cause any symptoms. But if it does, common symptoms include:

• Peeing more than usual (frequent urination).
• Pain while peeing (dysuria).
• Inability to pee (urinary retention).
• Pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia).
• Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs).
• A lump that you can feel or push on under your skin, near the opening of your urethra on either side.

How big can a Skene’s gland cyst get?

Most Skene’s gland cysts are less than .5 inches (1 centimeter) — about the size of a pea. It’s very rare, but Skene’s gland cysts can grow bigger — between 2.75 inches and 3.1 inches (7-8 cm). This is about the same width of a soda pop can.

What causes a Skene’s gland cyst?

Healthcare providers aren’t sure what causes a Skene’s gland cyst at birth.

Adults can get a Skene’s gland cyst if something blocks the Skene duct. Bacterial infections and inflammation are common causes of Skene’s duct blockages.

What are the complications of a Skene’s gland cyst?

In rare cases, bacteria may cause an infection in a Skene’s gland cyst, which leads to an abscess. A Skene’s gland abscess requires antibiotics to treat the infection and surgical drainage to remove pus.

How do I know if I have a Skene’s gland cyst?

Talk to a healthcare provider if you have symptoms that affect your private areas. In most cases, a provider can diagnose a Skene’s gland cyst by reviewing your symptoms and conducting a pelvic examination.

What tests will be done to diagnose a Skene’s gland cyst?

It can be hard to tell the difference between a Skene’s gland cyst and a pocket or pouch that forms next to your urethra (urethral diverticulum). Your healthcare provider may need to order some imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis, including:

• Ultrasound.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

Urethral diverticulum and Skene’s gland cysts may have similar symptoms.

Will a Skene’s gland cyst go away on its own?

In some cases, particularly in babies, healthcare providers may recommend a “watch and wait” approach. If the Skene’s gland cyst doesn’t cause problems, it may get better (resolve) on its own without treatment.

Adults don’t need treatment if the cyst isn’t causing symptoms.

How do you get rid of a cyst on your Skene’s gland?

If a Skene’s gland cyst causes painful symptoms, a surgeon will remove (excise) it. Surgery may take place in an office or surgical center. Skene’s gland surgical treatments include:

• Therapeutic fine-needle aspiration. A surgeon will use a tiny needle to drain the fluid from your cyst.
• Marsupialization. A surgeon will make a cut in the cyst and then use stitches (sutures) to tie the sides down. This leaves the Skene’s gland cyst open permanently. This allows the fluid to drain freely until the cyst no longer exists.

How soon after treatment will I feel better?

If you have therapeutic fine-needle aspiration, you may have some soreness or bruising at the injection site. You should start to feel better within a few days.

The recovery time for marsupialization is usually two to four weeks.

How can I reduce my risk of developing a Skene’s gland cyst?

There’s currently no way to prevent a Skene’s gland cyst from developing in a baby.

For adults, avoiding bacterial infections — including sexually transmitted infections (STIs) — can help prevent Skene’s gland cysts. You can help prevent STIs by:

• Using condoms or female condoms each time you have sexual intercourse.
• Getting tested for STIs regularly.
• Avoiding sexual intercourse if you suspect your partner has an STI.

Adults can also reduce their risks by practicing good hygiene, including:

• Using water or an unscented hypoallergenic soap to gently clean your vulva.
• Avoiding products that can irritate your vulva, including scented products (tampons, toilet paper or soap) and tight, synthetic underwear.
• Avoiding douching. Douching isn’t necessary, and it can lead to Skene’s gland cysts and vaginal infections.
• Using water-based lubricants.

What can I expect if I have a Skene’s gland cyst?

With proper diagnosis and treatment, the outlook for a Skene’s gland cyst is good. Skene’s gland cysts are benign (not cancer). They don’t increase your risk of developing vulvar cancer or vaginal cancer and they rarely come back after treatment.

When should I see a healthcare provider?

Contact a healthcare provider if you have difficulty peeing, or pain while peeing or during sexual intercourse. You should also see a provider if you see a lump under the opening of your baby’s urethra and/or their pee comes out at an angle instead of a straight stream.

When should I go to the ER?

Go to the nearest emergency room if you’re unable to pee or in extreme pain.

Which questions should I ask a healthcare provider?

You may want to ask your provider:

• How will you diagnose a Skene’s gland cyst?
• How big is my Skene’s gland cyst?
• Do I have an abscess?
• Do I need treatment for my Skene’s gland cyst, or should we wait to see what happens?
• If I need surgery, which approach do you recommend?
• What are all of the potential risks of Skene’s gland cyst surgery?

Can Skene’s glands get clogged?

Yes, repeated infections can clog your Skene’s glands and cause a cyst or abscess to develop. You can help prevent infections by practicing safe sexual intercourse.

What is the difference between a Skene’s gland cyst and urethral diverticulum?

Urethral diverticulum and a Skene’s gland cyst may cause similar symptoms. Either condition may cause:

• Pain when you pee.
• Pain during sexual intercourse.
• UTIs.
• A lump.

But the conditions are different. Urethral diverticulum is a pocket that forms along your urethra and can hold pee. It’s not part of your Skene’s gland.

What is the difference between a Skene’s gland cyst and a Bartholin gland cyst?

A Bartholin cyst also affects the female reproductive system and causes pain during sexual intercourse.

A Skene’s gland cyst occurs near the urethra. The Bartholin glands are on either side of the vagina. You can feel a Bartholin gland cyst inside your vagina. It may even be big enough to make your vaginal lips (labia) on one side larger than the other.

What is the difference between a Gartner cyst and a Skene’s gland cyst?

A Gartner cyst occurs in the mesonephric duct (Wolffian duct) on the side walls of the vagina. It may cause:

• Abdominal discomfort.
• Pain during sexual intercourse.
• Difficulty or loss of control when you pee or poop.

Gartner cysts develop when the mesonephric ducts don’t fully develop during fetal development. They’re usually benign. But, unlike Skene’s gland cysts, they can sometimes be cancerous. A healthcare provider may discover a Gartner cyst during a pelvic exam or imaging tests.