Bartholin's gland inflammation most often occurs in sexually active women aged 20-30. A characteristic symptom of acute Bartholin's gland inflammation is the rapidly increasing pain in the vulva area, which is especially annoying when sitting down and changing position. What are the causes of Bartholin's inflammation? Check for symptoms and treatment for this disease.

Bartholin gland inflammationis often accompanied by redness, swelling or the appearance of atumor in the vestibule . Bartholin's glands are the size of a pea and lie on either side of the vestibule (one on each side). If left untreated, Bartholin's gland inflammation can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease.

Bartholin's gland - symptoms

This condition takes two forms - chronic and acute. In the acute stage, a painful tumor is palpable in the vestibule of the vagina (it may make walking and sitting difficult), the area of ​​the tumor becomes red, pain intensifies with movement, and the patient has an elevated temperature. In the chronic stage, the tumor is usually painless, and fever is rare.

Bartholin's gland inflammation - causes

The most common cause of Bartholin's gland inflammation is a bacterial infection. As a result of infection, the exit ducts are swollen and blocked - the secretion produced begins to linger in the gland (a so-called stagnant cyst is formed). If the stagnant discharge in the cyst becomes infected, an abscess forms. To avoid infection, always remember the following:

  • using condoms, especially if you have multiple sexual partners
  • taking care of the hygiene of the intimate parts (e.g. using intimate hygiene gels with an appropriate pH)
  • using airy cotton underwear
  • using preparations containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium cultures (orally or topically, vaginally) during and a few days after the end of antibiotic therapy

Bartholin's gland - diagnosis

The disease is diagnosed on the basis of clinical symptoms and a gynecological examination carried out using a speculum. Sometimes it is necessary to perform the so-called inoculating the secretion of the Bartholin gland.

InflammationBartholin gland - treatment

Conservative treatment consists in observation and / or simultaneous use of antibiotics. In the case of mild symptoms of inflammation (redness, slight swelling, slight pain), antibiotic therapy and "home treatments" may be initiated. These include baths or compresses with preparations containing aluminum acetate tartrate (e.g. Altacet, Burowa's liquid), chamomile, potassium permanganate (KMnO4) or herbal mixtures (e.g. Vagosan).

Important

Surgical treatment is the most common treatment for an abscess of the Bartolin gland. It consists in cutting the swollen abscess and emptying it of the remaining pus. In the case of recurrent inflammations of the Bartholin gland, the so-called marsupialization. It is a surgical dissection of the affected gland and the widening of the opening created in this way. Thanks to this, the residual secretion finds a drainage path.

Category:

Female diseases