Contents
What Causes Bartholin Glands Infection?
Bartholinitis is infection of the Bartholin glands. Bartholin’s two glands – named after a 10th-century Danish anatomist Caspar Bartholin the Younger – lie between the vagina and the vulva. They are elongated and flattened and measure about 15 to XNUMX millimeters. Together with the Skene glands, they allow lubrication of the vagina, by the secretion of cyprine, under the influence of sexual arousal. But the ducts that make up these glands can become blocked, infected and form an abscess. This is called bartholinitis. As long as there is only one cyst and no infection, no need to worry. ” There are no real causes for bartholinitis, some people are just unfortunately predisposed to it and the ducts in their glands get blocked regularly. », Underlines Nathalie Boileau, gynecologist-obstetrician in clinic, in Limoges. In this abscess can be detected germs of digestive origin because of the proximity of the anus, or, more rarely, related to a vaginal infection, such as chlamydia.
What are the causes and symptoms of bartholinitis?
In bartholinitis, a very painful, reddened and hot lump, develops, usually within a few days. It may cause severe pain during intercourse or even during walking and running movements. ” A gynecologist will be able to diagnose bartholinitis very well at the sight of this characteristic protuberance, and one should not wait for the pain to reach the point where the patient can no longer walk or sit. », Warns the gynecologist. 2% of women experience bartholinitis during their lifetime, especially between the ages of 20 and 29, in women who have never been pregnant and / or have diabetes.
How to treat bartholinitis?
At the onset of inflammation, your gynecologist may prescribe antibiotics which may quickly subside the infection. In parallel, a puncture can be performed, in order to remove the fluid from the abscess. You then have to wait two to three days to feel better.
When to operate
If the pain is too severe, a surgical intervention is necessary. Under general or regional anesthesia, the abscess will be incised and drained. A wick is then placed to ensure the flow of all the pus and secretions from the gland. The area is cleaned with an antiseptic solution and a bacteriological sample can be taken in order to adapt the antibiotic treatment.
A medical stop is issued following this operation and it is better to wait two to three weeks before resuming your usual sexual and sports activities.
Can bartholinitis recur?
Bartholinitis recurrence rate is estimated between 5 and 15%. Your gynecologist can then suggest a new surgical operation to remove Bartholin’s gland. ” Bartholinitis being very painful and disabling for the patients, after three or four times, it is better to remove the gland which is blocked », Indicates Sarah Hladky, intern in gynecology in Argenteuil.
For the majority of patients, the remaining Bartholin gland and the two Skene glands are sufficient to provide lubrication to the vagina during intercourse. ” But this is not always the case, and it is to avoid this that we prefer, when possible, reconstruct the canal of the Bartholin gland by surgery, which has a tendency to clog and become infected. In addition, removing the canal is a very painful and bleeding operation. », Explains Nathalie Boileau.
What are the consequences of bartholinitis during pregnancy?
Benign, this infection therefore requires rapid medical treatment, even if its consequences are minimal. Bartholinitis does not influence a woman’s fertility in any way and should not worry you too much: it is a frequent mechanical inflammation for which neither you nor your hygiene are responsible. ” As with any infection, you must be vigilant during the pregnancy and go quickly to your gynecologist so as not to suffer from pain-related uterine contractions, or even from an early rupture of the water bag Sarah Hladky recalls. It is also simply necessary to prevent the infection from worsening and triggering a high fever.