Hello and thanks for posting on the forum,

Whenever anyone complains of a symptom that they are worried about we usually suggest that they get it checked out by their GP.  It may well be a Bartholin cyst or a blocked hair follicle but we can't tell. 

GP's are encouraging people who are worried about their health to get in touch with them so I don't think that you should let the corona virus pandemic put you off.  In the first instant you will probably be offered a telephone appointment and then if they need to see you they will offer you a face to face appointment. 

I don't know whether you managed to look at the information on Bartholin cysts written by the NHS but you can look at it here

I do hope that it clears up soon but if it is worrying you then do get in touch with your GP.

You are more then welcome to give us a ring if you want to have a chat about this. You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

All the Best,

Catherine

Hi I have had a lump about the size of a marble just at the opening to my vagina for about 3 months. It's quite hard but not painful. I went to my doctor a couple of months ago and was told it's likely a cyst and to come back if it got bigger or painful. Although it's not changed I'm a bit concerned that it's still there after several months. I've tried sitz baths and that hasn't helped. Is that normal for a cyst?  Although the doctor examined it and said it's likely a cyst they didn't do any tests etc to confirm which makes me worry In case it could be something more serious! I'm not sure if I can go back to ask if it can be tested or removed as it doesn't seem to be going away. 

Hi and thanks for posting

I can appreciate you 're worried the cyst isn't going away, but this isn't necessarily unusual.Cysts and blocked glands don't always just go away quickly, but can remain for a good while.

The good thing is that you have been examined by the GP. They are well trained to look at these conditions and if there was any doubt about what they were seeing, they would have referred you.

However,as you remain concerned, do go back and have another word with the GP, explaining that you are still worried, and to ask them whether it does need further investigating. Lumps and cysts are common in this area, although understandably can cause anxiety.

So do make another appointment with the GP

All the best

Wanda

Hey, 

I am so sorry if I am using this thread wrong and replying wrong I don't know how to use it 

I'm 27

So for background I started getting cysts on my labia minora about 9 months ago and went to the doctor. They were about pea size movable and hard and then I got a big one which was about 3cm long and kept me from standing with my legs closed with the pain and it burst in my sleep the day before I had my next appointment with the doctor but because it had burst they sent me on because there was nothing to look at as it wasn't there now and I was told they are normal and to come back if it happens again but they should go away. They come and go but they are incredibly painful and leak bright green pus when pressed on. I went back about 3 weeks ago and was actually looked at this time and given antibiotics which didn't make any change. I was told they were not bartholin cysts. I had tested for sexually transmitted infections and they were all clear. I have made an appointment today to go back but on the phone I got the usual "you know sometimes these things just happen and there's nothing you can do but come in anyway". I have maybe 1 and half weeks out of the month the cyst isn't leaking

I can't find any information online other than bartholin cysts and was just wondering if maybe someone on here had similar and got answers? Or know of a thread I could read through?

Sorry again if this isn't the correct place! I think I'm at my wits end. It's really harming my mental health not getting any answers and being in pain

Thank you in advance! 

Hello and thanks for posting

I am sorry to hear about the problems you are having down below and how this is affecting your everyday life. It is good to know you are going back to see your GP today. Hopefully they will take another look and decide a course of action about what needs to happen next.

Even though you have been told it isn't a batholins cyst/abscess from what you say it still sounds a very likely explanation for the symptoms you are having. Batholin cysts are often painful and can be an issue for quite some time and treatment is often needed in these situations to control and manage it. You can read more about this here. 

As you are writing on a cancer forum I am guessing you are worried this might be cancer but I think it is fair to say that this would be unlikely at your age and there is much more of a chance of it being something far less serious. Other than an STI (which you have tested clear for) I cannot think of another reason I'm afraid other than a batholin cyst or abscess.

I would have thought if the doctors are still uncertain about what this is after today they may decide to refer you to a specialist clinic to take a look, where hopefully you may have some more answers.

I'm sorry I can't be of more help but I wish you all the best and hope things settle for you quickly.

Take care

Naomi

Hello did you get an answer,  I'm in my mid forties and also have found a lump.

Hope everything is ok 

Hi, thank you for your reply.

I thought it may be a bartholin cyst but I have had it for 2 years now and has got bigger over time and when I looked at some imagines online it is very different to what I have so I started to wonder if it could be something else? Is it normal for a cyst to stay for that long? 
 

will definitely book an app with the GP to be on the safe side. 
 

Courtney 

Hello Courtney and thanks for your further post

As I mentioned previously we can't diagnose you but I'm glad you are going to make an appointment to see your doctor.

Cysts can stay on our bodies for a long time and they can remain the same size or they can grow over time.

Try if you can to stop googling your symptoms as the information online is general and not specific to you. It cannot replace the information that a doctor can give a person after a medical assessment.

I hope this helps.

Kind regards,

Celene