How is Bartholinitis diagnosed?

The Bartholin's glands are located at the back of the labia majora on both sides, and the gland duct opens on the inner side of the labia minora near the hymen. Due to the characteristics of the anatomical location, when the vulva is contaminated during sexual intercourse, childbirth or other situations, pathogens can easily penetrate and cause inflammation. So, what is the examination method for Bartholin's gland inflammation?

1. Self-diagnosis method for Bartholinitis:

(1) The patient feels severe pain when the vestibule of the vulva is touched, the penis is inserted into the vagina, or a suppository is inserted into the vagina;

(2) When the vestibule of the vulva is pressed, there is local tenderness;

(3) The vestibule shows varying degrees of erythema.

2. Gynecological examination:

A hard lump can be seen at the lower 1/3 of the labia majora on one side, which is obviously painful. When an abscess is formed, the lump may increase to the size of a chicken egg or a goose egg, and may be obviously painful and fluctuate. The surface skin becomes thinner, and may even rupture naturally and ooze out a large amount of pus. Vaginal examination with a speculum is often difficult and can be postponed depending on the condition.

3. Laboratory diagnosis:

1. Secretion smear and bacterial culture examination: Generally, secretions are taken from the opening of the Bartholin's glands, the urethral orifice, and the paraurethral glands for smear examination to determine the pathogenic bacteria; or bacterial culture and drug sensitivity test can be performed directly.

2. Routine blood test: The total white blood cell count may increase significantly.

4. Differential diagnosis:

It is mainly differentiated from Bartholin's gland cyst: their common feature is that both have lumps in the Bartholin's glands. However, Bartholinitis is characterized by fever, and examination shows that the lumps are red, with obvious swelling and pain, and fluctuating sensations. When pressure is applied, pus can be seen overflowing from the gland opening, while Bartholin's gland cysts have unchanged skin color, cystic lumps, no tenderness, no pus overflowing when pressure is applied, and no systemic symptoms such as fever.

Experts remind: Early detection, early prevention and early treatment of any disease are the fundamentals of maintaining health. If the above symptoms occur, you should go to a professional gynecological hospital for treatment in time to avoid delaying treatment and increasing the difficulty of later treatment.