Vaginal Cysts

A cyst on your vagina is a lump or bump filled with air, mucus, pus or other materials. Cysts on your vagina can be as small as a pea or as large as an orange. If you have a vaginal cyst, you might feel it on the lips of your vagina (labia) or toward your vaginal opening. Sometimes, they can be inside your vagina, too.

There are different causes and types of vaginal cysts. Most vaginal cysts aren’t harmful. But some may become painful if they get infected. You should see a healthcare provider for any unusual, painful or growing vaginal lumps. They can rule out infection or other medical conditions.

What are the different types of vaginal cysts?

Types include:

• Bartholin gland cysts: This type of cyst is a fluid- or pus-filled bump that forms on either side of your vaginal opening. It happens when one of your Bartholin glands gets blocked. If the cyst becomes infected, it can turn into a painful abscess.
• Inclusion cysts: These are small cysts on the wall of your vagina. They often form from an injury during childbirth or after vaginal surgery. It happens when tissue gets trapped under the surface of your vagina.
• Sebaceous cysts: These are cysts that develop when oil-producing sebaceous glands on your vulva become blocked. This will form a lump filled with a yellowish-white, greasy substance.
• Gartner’s duct cysts: Your Gartner’s duct forms during fetal development but goes away before birth. If it doesn’t go away, it can form a cyst on the wall of your vagina.
• Müllerian cysts: These are a type of cyst that forms from leftover material in the Müllerian ducts. They can grow on the walls of your vagina later in life.

Symptoms of vaginal cysts

You could have a vaginal cyst without knowing it. In this case, you may find out you have one during a pelvic exam with your healthcare provider. In other cases, cysts can cause discomfort or become painful if they get infected.

Symptoms of vaginal cysts can include:

• Discomfort and pain during sex, walking, sitting, or when inserting a tampon or wiping after using the bathroom
• Small lumps bulging from your vagina
• Fever and be swollen, discolored and tender to the touch

What do they look like?

They look like bumps under the skin around your vaginal area. They may look like a large pimple. They can be tiny or grow large. Some may become discolored or swollen. Other cysts may look like they’re filled with pus or fluid. Cysts inside your vagina may be extremely small, and you may not realize you have one.

Vaginal cysts causes

The cause of vaginal cysts can vary depending on the type of cyst. Some common causes of vaginal cysts include:

• Injury: Some cysts may form from rips or tears during childbirth or from an injury to the vaginal wall. These types of cysts occur without you knowing. You can’t prevent these cysts.
• Blocked gland or ducts: Some cysts happen when a duct or gland becomes blocked or clogged. This causes fluid, pus, oil, or other materials to collect and form a lump. These can become painful if infected. Using good hygiene may prevent infection of these types of cysts.

Risk factors

Vaginal cysts are most common during the years when you’re having regular periods. They aren’t common after menopause.

How doctors diagnose vaginal cysts

A healthcare provider can diagnose vaginal cysts during a physical exam. They may look at or touch the cyst. What they do next depends on the type of cyst and your symptoms.

Your healthcare provider may want to run tests to rule out cancer or other diseases. Some tests include:

• Taking a biopsy of the cyst to rule out cancer
• Removing fluid from your vagina to test for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Doing an ultrasound or MRI to see the cyst in greater detail.

Occasionally, an exam under anesthesia is needed to decide the best next steps.

How are vaginal cysts treated?

You should talk to a healthcare provider before you attempt to treat a cyst yourself. Don’t try to drain or squeeze a cyst. This could cause infection. You may want to get rid of a vaginal cyst on your own, but a provider can help determine what the best treatment is.

Some treatments for vaginal cysts may include:

• Sitz bath: Sit in a bathtub with a few inches of warm water several times a day. This can provide comfort and promote healing.
• Antibiotics: Antibiotics can help heal an infected cyst.
• Incision and draining: A provider makes a small cut to release the pus and relieve pressure. Sometimes, a catheter is put in after to allow the cyst to continue to drain fluid. Typically, the tube stays in place for continuous drainage up to a few weeks.
• Marsupialization: The cyst is opened and drained. Then, your provider stitches the edges of the cyst wall to form a permanent open pocket or “pouch” for continuous drainage.
• Monitoring: Your provider may watch a cyst for changes in size or changes in your symptoms.
• Excision: Sometimes, the entire cyst needs to be removed. This procedure has more risk, so it’s typically used after other, more conservative methods haven’t worked.

How long will it last?

Most cysts heal within several days to a few weeks. Some can go away on their own without treatment. Other times, your provider will want to treat it to speed up healing and help you feel better.

When should someone seek medical care for vaginal cysts?

If you believe you have a vaginal cyst, don’t try to diagnose yourself or drain it. Contact a healthcare provider if:

• The cyst becomes painful, swollen or very large.
• The cyst is getting bigger, harder or not getting better.
• You have a fever, pain or other signs of infection.
• You notice unusual vaginal discharge or bleeding from the cyst.
• You’re pregnant.
• It doesn’t go away on its own.

What can I expect if I have a vaginal cyst?

What you can expect depends on how large the cyst is, where it is and if it keeps coming back. If it gets infected, it can be painful and interfere with daily activities. Other vaginal cysts may cause no problems. Many vaginal cysts improve with at-home care like sitz baths. But a healthcare provider can let you know if at-home treatment is safe and recommend the best treatment for you.