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Medically-verified advice to reduce vaginal pain and swelling
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Finding a small lump on your vulva, labia, or vagina can be alarming, but don’t worry—these lumps, called cysts, are actually very common. Thought to occur after childbirth, injury, or surgery, most of them just go away on their own after a few days or weeks. But if you’re experiencing pain or discomfort, we’ve got you covered: we’ll go over medical treatment options as well as home remedies you can use to speed up the healing process.
Things You Should Know
- Avoid irritating or rubbing the cyst, even while bathing—try a sitz bath or a gentle soak in the tub to keep the area clean.
- Use home remedies like an apple cider vinegar soak or warm compress to soothe the cyst.
- Take OTC pain relievers to help with any pain or discomfort.
- See a doctor if you experience pain or other symptoms of infection, like tender lumps, redness or swelling, painful intercourse, or a fever.
Steps
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Consider what kind of cyst you have. Most vaginal cysts are called inclusion cysts. These small, painless cysts usually go unnoticed and clear up on their own. If you have cysts that you can see on either side of your vaginal opening, you may need to get rid of a Bartholin's gland cysts . Normally, the glands secrete fluids that lubricate the vaginal lips and opening. But, these can become blocked, creating fluid-filled cysts. [1] X Research source Less common types of cysts that develop inside the vagina include:
- Gartner's duct cysts: these form during fetal development and they should disappear after birth. If cysts develop later in life, an MRI is usually needed to diagnose them.
- MĎ‹llerian cysts: these develop from fetal structures that should disappear after birth, but often don't. These cysts are filled with mucus and can develop anywhere inside the vaginal walls.
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Watch for signs of an infection. While most cysts won't cause any discomfort, you may notice signs that the cyst has become infected. It's important to pay attention to these symptoms so you can get immediate medical attention. Signs of infection include: [2] X Research source
- A lump near the vaginal opening that is tender or painful
- Redness and swelling around the lump
- Discomfort when walking or sitting
- Painful intercourse
- Fever
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Call your doctor if the cyst is infected or painful. Book a gynecology exam or contact your primary care doctor. A normal bacterial infection or sexually transmitted infection can make the cysts uncomfortable. Let your doctor know if you have recurrent cysts, even if home treatments work. Recurrent cysts might need to be surgically treated. [3] X Research source
- Look for symptoms of STIs , like painful urination or pain during intercourse.
- If you're over 40 years old and have Bartholin Gland cysts, you need to have the cysts removed. Your doctor will probably want to have it tested for cancer, though cancer is extremely rare in a Bartholin gland. [4] X Research source
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Follow your doctor's treatment recommendation. In addition to testing the cyst for cancer, your doctor may want to treat infected cysts. Treatment can involve draining the Bartholin's cyst by making an incision, then keeping it open with sutures or packing, which will be removed after a few days. A tube may also be used to drain the cyst. Your doctor may want to surgically remove a cyst if it returns, is large, or is painful. [5] X Research source
- Remember that most vaginal cysts don't need treatment. Instead, they can reabsorb on their own. If they don't resolve on their own, these typically cysts remain small and painless.
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Get regular gynecological exams. If you have a cyst removed, have the area checked periodically to see if the cyst returns. It's a good idea to be in the habit of getting regular gynecological exams anyway. These can catch cervical cysts and cancer early. The American College of Physicians recommends that women of average risk for cervical cancer get pap smears and exams according to this new schedule: [6] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public Go to source
- Ages 21 to 29: once every 3 years
- Ages 30 to 65: once every 3 years (or an HPV and Pap smear every 5 years)
- Over age 65: none are needed if recent tests come back normal
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Soak in a sitz bath to reduce swelling. Fill the sitz bath with warm water and place it over the toilet. This will allow you to sit and soak just your genital area. Add 1 to 2 tbsp (14 to 28 g) of Epsom salt in the water, then stir it until the salt dissolves. Sit on the bath for 10 to 20 minutes twice a day for 3 to 4 days. [7] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
- If you don't have a sitz bath, just run a few inches of water in your bathtub.
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Use an apple cider vinegar (ACV) soak. More research is needed, but ACV can be used to try to reduce the size and swelling of vaginal cysts. Either run a sitz bath and add 1 cup of ACV or you can soak a cotton ball or swab with ACV. Apply the soaked cotton ball or swab directly to the cyst and hold it there for 30 minutes twice a day until you notice swelling reduce.
- While ACV is a popular home remedy, scientists caution against relying on vinegar as a medicinal treatment. [8] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Always consult your doctor before trying home remedies.
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Use a warm compress. Fill a hot water bottle with hot water and wrap it in a clean towel. Place this against the cyst to provide some pain relief. Take care not to burn the delicate tissue in the vaginal area. [9] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
- You can also dip a flannel or cotton cloth in hot water, wring the water out, and apply it directly against the cyst.
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Apply an aloe vera and turmeric mixture to the cyst. Mix 1 to 2 tbsp (14 to 28 g) of aloe vera gel with 1/4 to 1/2 tsp (1.42 g to 2.8 g) of turmeric powder . Stir until the mixture forms a paste. Use a cotton ball, tampon, or swab to apply the mixture to the cyst. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes once a day. Don't rinse or clean off the paste; just let it run out naturally.
- Wear a pad so that the bright turmeric doesn't stain your clothing.
- Studies have shown that turmeric (curcumin) is an anti-inflammatory. [10] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source This can reduce the irritation caused by vaginal cysts. However, if you experience any pain or discomfort, stop using this mixture immediately.
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Take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. Since it may take a few days for the cyst to clear up, try OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. If you feel severe pain that doesn't go away after taking OTC medications, contact your doctor. [11] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
- Always follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding dosage and how often to take the medication.
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Avoid irritating the cyst. Never rub the cyst, even when cleaning or washing the area. Gentle soaks in the sitz bath or tub are enough to keep the area clean. Never douche, as douching is unnecessary, can irritate the cyst, and is considered to be harmful to your health in general. [12] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Since you'll want to avoid irritating the cyst, consider using a pad instead of a tampon if you're menstruating.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow should I prepare before getting a pap smear?Jennifer Butt, MD, is a board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist operating her private practice, Upper East Side OB/GYN, in New York City, New York. She is affiliated with Lenox Hill Hospital. She earned a BA in Biological Studies from Rutgers University and an MD from Rutgers – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. She then completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Dr. Butt is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and a member of the American Medical Association.
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QuestionI have a cyst on my bikini line and it hurts. I can't get a doctors appointment till Monday so what can I do until then? Is there any cream or just a salty bath that will help?Dr. Noriega is a Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist and medical writer in Colorado. She specializes in women’s health, rheumatology, pulmonology, infectious disease, and gastroenterology. She received her MD from the Creighton School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska and completed her residency at the University of Missouri - Kansas City in 2005.Cysts in the bikini line can be treated similarly to cysts discussed above. The best thing to do is soak the cyst because this can help it resolve on its own. Avoid clothing rubbing on the cyst as it can enlarge the cyst.
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Tips
- Most of the time, cysts just go away on their own after a few days or weeks. In rare cases, you will need medical treatment. [13] X Research sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/vaginal-cyst
- ↑ https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/vaginal-cysts
- ↑ https://ufhealth.org/vaginal-cysts
- ↑ https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/women's-health-issues/noncancerous-gynecologic-abnormalities/bartholin-gland-cysts
- ↑ https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/vaginal-cysts
- ↑ http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/expert-panel-says-healthy-women-dont-need-yearly-pelvic-exam-201407027250
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bartholins-cyst/treatment/
- ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1785201/
- ↑ http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Bartholins-cyst/Pages/Treatment.aspx
About This Article
Article Summary
X
Most vaginal cysts clear up on their own, but if yours doesn’t go away or you have cysts on either side of your vaginal opening, try adding a tablespoon or 2 of Epsom salt to a warm bath or tub and soaking in it for 10 to 20 minutes twice a day. You can also mix a tablespoon of aloe vera with ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder and apply the paste to your cyst. If your cyst is causing you pain, try holding a heat pack or hot water bottle to it to relieve your discomfort. If you notice a tender or painful lump near your vaginal opening, fever, redness and swelling around the lump, or discomfort when walking or sitting, seek medical attention, since these could be signs of infection. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to reduce the swelling of your cyst with apple cider vinegar, read on!
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