Cyst on the labia
The content of the article:
- Cyst of the labia majora: the main causes
- Varieties of neoplasms
- Symptoms
- Diagnostic methods
- Complications
-
How to choose the right therapy
- With a small size
- Large size
- With an abscess
- Video
The formation of a cyst on the labia is an intimate problem that brings a lot of discomfort to a woman. Many women who are faced with a neoplasm of the external genital organs are ashamed of their illness, so they postpone a visit to the doctor. Often, untimely seeking help leads to the development of complications. Despite the discomfort, small cysts usually do not harm health, and timely treatment allows you to get rid of the disease without consequences.
A large gonadal cyst causes discomfort; you can get rid of it by resorting to surgical intervention
Cyst of the labia majora: the main causes
Sources of vulvar cysts are multiple glandular formations:
- large glands of the vestibule;
- small glands of the vestibule;
- sebaceous glands;
- sweat glands;
- Nuka canal.
Retention cysts are formed due to a violation of the outflow of secretion as a result of blockage of the excretory duct of the gland. By their nature, they are benign. Unlike true tumors, their growth is not due to cell division, but due to the accumulation of fluid. The wall of the neoplasm stretches and becomes thinner, succumbing to fluid pressure.
The following factors affect the development of pathology:
- non-observance of the rules of intimate hygiene;
- injury to the skin during epilation and shaving;
- skin irritation with tight or synthetic underwear;
- chronic inflammatory processes;
- sexually transmitted infections.
Varieties of neoplasms
Depending on the source of formation, cysts of Bartholin's, sebaceous glands, Wolf's duct and Nuka's canal are isolated.
| Where is formed | Description of pathology, localization of symptoms |
| Bartholin gland | In most cases, a Bartholin gland cyst forms in the labia. The most common cause is bartholinitis, a chronic inflammation of the Bartholin gland. The neoplasm is located in the thickness of the lower third of the labia majora. |
| Sebaceous glands | The formations of the sebaceous glands include epidermal cysts. The cause of the disease is too thick secretion or inflammation, leading to a violation of its outflow. Symptoms of damage to the sebaceous glands are localized on the labia minora. |
| Wolf duct | Mesonephral cysts form from the remnants of the Wolffian duct. The formation is localized on the lateral surface of the vulva. |
| Nuka Canal | Formations of the Nukkiy Canal are rare. Symptoms are localized in the upper parts of the labia majora. |
Symptoms
Symptoms that arise in pathology depend on several factors - the size and location of the formation, the presence of complications. With a small size and no inflammation, clinical manifestations may be completely absent. Often, a cyst of the labia minora is discovered by chance - during self-examination or examination by a doctor. On examination and in the photo, the cyst looks like a rounded formation on the labia.
The larger the formation, the more pronounced the symptoms.
What clinical manifestations are characteristic:
- a feeling of swelling, a ball in the labia, on the eve of the vagina;
- inconvenience when driving;
- discomfort during intercourse.
Sometimes symptoms of inflammation develop - pain, redness, swelling, local fever. With suppuration of the cyst and the formation of an abscess, fever appears, a sharp pain, less often - the release of pus.
Diagnostic methods
Diagnostics is usually not difficult, its basis is a gynecological examination. In the presence of an inflammatory process, the doctor additionally conducts research aimed at identifying the infection.
| Research method | Explanation |
| Gynecological examination |
The main method for diagnosing this pathology. In the absence of complications, the following changes are detected: tumor-like formation (ball) in the labia; Unilateral edema; · Asymmetry of the genital gap; · Unchanged skin over the lump; On palpation, the formation is painless, elastic consistency, oval-round shape, limited mobility. With suppuration, the clinical picture changes, a gynecological examination reveals the following changes: · Tumor-like formation; Redness of the skin; Severe edema; · Asymmetry of the genital gap; On palpation, the formation is painful, fluctuation is determined; • discharge of pus is sometimes observed. |
| Microscopic examination of the discharge | If there are signs of infection, a microscopic examination of the discharge from the opened cyst is prescribed. The material is examined under a microscope to detect microorganisms that have caused inflammation. |
| Bacteriological culture | Another method for identifying the causative agent of infection is bacteriological culture. The material is sown on a nutrient medium. |
| Echography | Echography allows you to clarify the size of the formation, the nature of the contents in the cystic cavity. |
Complications
The most common complication is the addition of a bacterial infection, resulting in an abscess. Other complications are less common:
- Vulvovaginitis, cervicitis, urethritis and other inflammatory diseases. This can happen when the infection spreads to nearby organs.
- Formation of a fistula in the chronic course of the disease.
- Septic complications.
Another fairly common occurrence is cyst re-formation.
How to choose the right therapy
The only effective treatment is surgery. The use of medications or folk remedies will not help get rid of the pathology. Surgical treatment is not indicated in all cases; the need for an operation is determined by two main factors:
- size of education;
- the presence of complications.
Also, the operation can be performed at the request of the woman, due to a cosmetic defect.
With a small size
Small, asymptomatic cysts do not require surgery. But they need to be monitored in order to start timely treatment if necessary.
Before the operation, it is recommended to adhere to the general rules that are aimed at preventing the development of complications:
- Observe the rules of intimate hygiene.
- Wear underwear made from natural materials.
- Do not wear tight underwear, thongs.
- Visit your gynecologist regularly and follow his recommendations.
These rules do not cure the disease, but significantly reduce the risk of cyst inflammation and abscess formation.
Large size
With a large size of education, a planned operation is indicated. There are two possible options for surgical intervention - marsupialization and hatching.
- Marsupialization is an operation aimed at restoring the patency of the excretory duct of the gland. The main advantage of such an operation is to preserve the function of the gland (most often the operation is performed on the Bartholin glands). Lack of marsupialization is frequent relapses. The essence of the operation consists in the temporary installation of a silicone catheter, which ensures the patency of the excretory duct.
- Hulling is a more radical treatment. The tumor is removed together with the gland and duct. The operation is more traumatic than marsupialization, but does not lead to recurrence of the disease.
With an abscess
When an abscess is formed, an urgent surgical intervention is prescribed. An abscess is opened and a drain is installed.
Video
We offer for viewing a video on the topic of the article.
Anna Aksenova Medical journalist About the author
Education: 2004-2007 "First Kiev Medical College" specialty "Laboratory Diagnostics".
Found a mistake in the text? Select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
