Direct answer: A Bartholin cyst usually appears as a lump near one side of the vaginal opening. It may be painless when small, but infection can cause an abscess with rapidly increasing pain, swelling, redness, difficulty sitting or walking, pus, or fever. Any new vulval lump should be assessed rather than diagnosed at home—especially if…
Bartholin cyst treatment depends on whether the swelling is small and painless, painful, infected, recurrent or unusual. Some cysts need observation only; an abscess or a troublesome recurrent cyst may require antibiotics, drainage, a Word catheter or marsupialisation after clinical assessment.