Bartholin Glands: Function, Cysts, Abscesses, and Care

They release fluid that may help:

• moisten the vulvar area;
• reduce friction around the vaginal opening;
• support comfort during sexual activity;
• lubricate the vestibule during arousal.

Most people never notice these glands. They usually become noticeable only when a duct is blocked, swollen, or infected.

The term is usually plural because there are normally two glands:

• The Bartholin glands are located near the vaginal opening.
• A blocked duct may cause a Bartholin cyst.
• One Bartholin gland became swollen.

Before another noun, the phrase may be hyphenated:

• Bartholin-gland secretion;
• Bartholin-gland duct;
• Bartholin-gland infection.

Common expressions include:

• blocked Bartholin duct;
• Bartholin cyst;
• Bartholin abscess;
• drainage of a Bartholin cyst;
• inflammation of the Bartholin gland;
• swelling near the vaginal opening.

Each gland:

• is usually small;
• lies beneath the surrounding tissue;
• has a narrow duct;
• releases fluid near the vaginal opening.

The ducts are more clinically important than the glands themselves because blockage usually begins in a duct.

The glands are generally not visible and cannot normally be felt during routine self-examination.

This secretion may help lubricate:

• the vaginal opening;
• nearby vulvar tissue;
• the vestibule during arousal.

The fluid is only one part of genital lubrication. Vaginal moisture also comes from:

• fluid passing through vaginal walls;
• cervical mucus;
• smaller vestibular glands;
• natural secretions from surrounding tissues.

The Bartholin glands are therefore not the sole source of lubrication.

The amount varies among individuals. Some people may produce noticeable fluid, while others produce very little.

Fluid amount does not reliably show:

• degree of desire;
• readiness for sex;
• fertility;
• hormone health;
• orgasm intensity.

Arousal-related lubrication is an automatic physical response and does not equal consent.

The cyst may be:

• very small;
• painless;
• noticeable only as a lump;
• large enough to cause pressure or discomfort.

Possible symptoms include:

• swelling on one side of the vaginal opening;
• discomfort when walking;
• pain while sitting;
• tenderness during penetration;
• a feeling of fullness or pressure.

A small painless cyst may not require treatment.

• swelling;
• irritation;
• infection;
• thickened secretions;
• injury;
• scar tissue;
• an unidentified cause.

A Bartholin cyst is not necessarily caused by poor hygiene or sexual activity.

It can occur even when no infection is present.

Symptoms may include:

• severe pain;
• rapid swelling;
• redness;
• warmth;
• difficulty walking or sitting;
• pain during sex;
• fever;
• drainage of pus.

An abscess may become extremely tender and often requires medical care.

The infection may involve ordinary skin or intestinal bacteria. In some cases, sexually transmitted bacteria may contribute, but a Bartholin abscess does not automatically mean that someone has an STI.

• discussion of symptoms;
• examination of the vulva;
• assessment of swelling and tenderness;
• testing of drainage when needed;
• STI testing in selected cases.

A new Bartholin-area lump in an older adult may require additional evaluation because other conditions can occasionally resemble a cyst.

The exact approach depends on age, symptoms, recurrence, and clinical findings.

A small painless cyst may be monitored.

Comfort measures may include:

• warm sitz baths;
• warm compresses;
• pain relief;
• avoiding pressure on the area;
• loose clothing.

People should not squeeze, cut, or attempt to drain a cyst at home because this can cause injury or infection.

Possible treatments include:

Incision and Drainage

A clinician makes a small opening to release fluid or pus.

Simple drainage may relieve pain, but the opening can close and the abscess may return.

Word Catheter

A small balloon-tipped tube may be placed in the opening for several weeks.

This helps create a new drainage passage and may reduce recurrence.

Marsupialization

The edges of the cyst wall are stitched open to create a lasting drainage opening.

This may be considered for recurrent cysts or abscesses.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics may be prescribed when there is:

• spreading infection;
• fever;
• cellulitis;
• a particular bacterial concern;
• increased medical risk;
• a confirmed STI.

Drainage, rather than antibiotics alone, is often central when a large abscess is present.

Recurrence may lead to discussion of:

• repeated catheter placement;
• marsupialization;
• removal of the gland in selected cases;
• investigation of another underlying condition.

Complete gland removal is usually reserved for persistent or complicated cases because surgery may involve bleeding, scarring, pain, or injury to nearby tissue.

• severe pain;
• rapid swelling;
• fever;
• pus or unusual discharge;
• difficulty walking or sitting;
• repeated cysts;
• symptoms that do not improve;
• a new persistent lump;
• pregnancy with significant symptoms.

Emergency care may be needed if fever, spreading redness, weakness, or rapidly worsening pain suggests a serious infection.

Depending on symptoms and sexual history, a clinician may recommend testing for infections such as:

• gonorrhea;
• chlamydia;
• other genital infections.

Safer-sex practices may reduce some infection risks, but they cannot prevent every Bartholin cyst because many cysts are unrelated to sexual transmission.

A cyst or abscess may cause:

• pain during penetration;
• pressure around the vaginal opening;
• reduced comfort with touching;
• anxiety about swelling;
• temporary avoidance of sexual activity.

Sexual activity should be paused when it causes pain or when an abscess is actively draining or being treated.

After healing, many people return to sexual activity without lasting difficulty.

Both:

• develop from related embryonic tissues;
• produce lubricating secretions;
• release fluid near the genital or urinary opening.

However, they are not identical.

Bartholin Glands

• located near the vaginal opening;
• lubricate the vulvar vestibule;
• commonly associated with female reproductive anatomy.

Bulbourethral Glands

• located below the prostate;
• release fluid into the urethra;
• commonly associated with male reproductive anatomy.

Transgender men, nonbinary people, and some intersex people may have Bartholin glands depending on their anatomy and surgical history.

Healthcare professionals should focus on the organs present rather than making assumptions from gender identity alone.

Respectful language may include:

• Bartholin gland;
• vulvar gland;
• gland near the vaginal opening;
• the individual’s preferred anatomical wording.

Others should not:

• shame someone for swelling or discharge;
• assume the condition proves sexual activity;
• accuse the person of having an STI;
• make jokes about genital anatomy;
• disclose the diagnosis without permission.

Medical examinations should be explained beforehand and performed only with consent.

A Bartholin cyst is always infected.
No. A cyst may contain sterile fluid and cause no pain.

Every cyst requires surgery.
No. Small painless cysts may need no treatment.

A Bartholin abscess always results from an STI.
No. Many different bacteria may cause infection.

More gland fluid means stronger sexual desire.
No. Secretion varies and does not reliably measure desire.

Lubrication means consent.
No. Physical arousal responses are not permission for sexual activity.

1. The Bartholin glands release lubricating fluid near the vaginal opening.
2. A blocked duct may cause a Bartholin cyst.
3. Can a Bartholin gland become infected?
4. The abscess caused severe pain while walking and sitting.
5. A small painless Bartholin cyst may not require treatment.
6. The clinician inserted a catheter to help the gland drain.
7. The Bartholin glands are also called the greater vestibular glands.
8. Understanding the Bartholin glands helps readers distinguish normal lubrication from cysts and abscesses.

When a gland or duct becomes swollen or infected, pain may affect touching, penetration, walking, sitting, and sexual confidence. Treatment can usually relieve these symptoms.

Understanding the Bartholin glands helps people discuss genital lubrication, vulvar pain, cysts, infection, and sexual comfort accurately while recognizing that lubrication is an automatic response and never a substitute for consent.