Definition & Pronunciation
Each gland drains through a narrow duct that opens near the vaginal entrance. The glands are usually too small to feel unless a duct becomes blocked or infected.
They are named after the Danish anatomist Caspar Bartholin the Younger and are also called the greater vestibular glands.
Sexopedia Quick Reference
Bartholin’s Glands
Also Known As: greater vestibular glands, Bartholin glands
Easy Explanation
They release fluid through small ducts. This fluid may contribute to moisture around the vaginal opening, although most sexual lubrication comes from other sources, especially fluid passing through the vaginal walls.
Simple examples include:
- Bartholin’s glands lie near the vaginal opening.
- Their ducts release fluid into the vulvar vestibule.
- A blocked duct may form a Bartholin’s cyst.
- An infected cyst may become painful.
- Healthy Bartholin’s glands are usually not noticeable.
Grammatical Formation and Usage
Common structures include:
the Bartholin’s glands
- The Bartholin’s glands open into the vulvar vestibule.
- The Bartholin’s glands may release fluid during arousal.
a Bartholin’s gland
- One Bartholin’s gland became swollen.
- A duct from a Bartholin’s gland may become blocked.
Bartholin’s + noun
- Bartholin’s cyst;
- Bartholin’s abscess;
- Bartholin’s duct;
- Bartholin’s gland infection.
The form Bartholin glands, without the apostrophe, is also widely used in medical writing.
Anatomy and Location
Each gland:
- is normally very small;
- lies toward one side of the vaginal entrance;
- connects to a narrow drainage duct;
- releases fluid into the vulvar vestibule;
- is usually not visible or easily felt.
Their location is often described using a clock face, with the ducts opening near the lower left and lower right sides of the vaginal entrance.
The glands are part of the vulva, not the internal vagina.
Function and Lubrication
Their secretions may:
- reduce dryness around the vestibule;
- support comfort during sexual activity;
- help lubricate the entrance to the vagina;
- protect delicate surrounding tissue.
However, the glands are not the main source of sexual lubrication.
Most lubrication during arousal comes from:
- fluid passing through the vaginal walls;
- cervical secretions;
- paraurethral gland secretions;
- natural moisture from vulvar tissues;
- personallubricant when used.
A person can still experience normal lubrication even if one or both Bartholin’s glands are absent or not functioning.
Bartholin’s Cyst
A small cyst may:
- cause no symptoms;
- feel like a soft lump;
- remain unnoticed;
- disappear without treatment.
A larger cyst may cause:
- pressure;
- discomfort while walking;
- pain during sitting;
- pain during sexual activity;
- visible swelling near one side of the vaginal opening.
A new vulvar lump should be medically evaluated if it is painful, persistent, growing, or unusual.
Bartholin’s Abscess
Possible symptoms include:
- severe pain;
- rapid swelling;
- redness;
- warmth;
- difficulty walking or sitting;
- pain during penetration;
- fever or feeling unwell.
An abscess often requires medical treatment, which may include drainage, pain relief, and sometimes antibiotics.
It should not be squeezed, cut, or drained at home because this may worsen infection or cause injury.
Causes and Risk Factors
- swelling;
- inflammation;
- local injury;
- thickened secretions;
- infection;
- scar tissue.
The infection may involve ordinary skin or intestinal bacteria. Sexually transmitted infections can sometimes be associated with vulvar infection, but a Bartholin’s cyst is not automatically an STI.
Medical testing may be recommended depending on symptoms, age, sexual history, and examination findings.
Treatment and Care
Possible approaches include:
- observation for a small painless cyst;
- warm sitz baths;
- pain-relieving medication;
- drainage by a healthcare professional;
- placement of a small catheter to keep the duct open;
- a procedure called marsupialization for recurring cysts;
- removal of the gland in selected cases.
A new Bartholin-area mass in someone over approximately 40 years old generally deserves prompt medical assessment because rare gland tumors become more relevant with age.
Common Misunderstandings
They contribute only a small part of genital moisture.
The glands are inside the vagina.
They are located near the vaginal opening within the vulvar region.
Every Bartholin’s cyst is sexually transmitted.
Many result from simple duct blockage or ordinary bacteria.
A painless cyst must always be drained.
Small, symptom-free cysts may only need observation.
A painful lump should be squeezed.
Home drainage may spread infection or injure the tissue.
Sample Sentences
- The Bartholin’s glands lie near the lower sides of the vaginal opening.
- Their ducts open into the vulvar vestibule.
- The Bartholin’s glands produce a small amount of lubricating fluid.
- A blocked duct may cause a Bartholin’s cyst.
- An infected cyst may develop into a painful abscess.
- Healthy Bartholin’s glands are usually too small to feel.
- Persistent swelling near one gland should be medically assessed.
- The Bartholin’s glands are not the main source of vaginal lubrication.
Connection to Sexuality
A blocked or infected gland can cause pain during touch, movement, or sexual activity. Such pain should not be ignored or treated as something a person must tolerate.
Understanding Bartholin’s glands supports accurate vulvar anatomy, clearer communication about lubrication and sexual pain, and early recognition of cysts or abscesses that may require medical treatment.