What are the symptoms of Bartholinitis?

Gynecologists say that common Bartholinitis in the female vulva is related to excessive secretions and long-term local irritation. Bartholinitis is mainly caused by bacterial infection of the Bartholin glands, which in turn causes poor drainage of the gland duct opening. The following is an introduction to the symptoms of Bartholinitis.

The Bartholin's glands open on the inner side of the labia minora near the hymen. When sexual intercourse, childbirth, menstruation or other circumstances contaminate the vulva, pathogens invade the glands and cause inflammation. During acute inflammation, the gland opening is blocked due to swelling or viscous exudate, and pus accumulates in the gland to form a Bartholin's gland abscess.

After the acute inflammation subsides, the gland duct is blocked or narrowed, and the mucus secreted by the gland is not discharged smoothly, which can form a Bartholin's gland cyst, which is prone to secondary infection and repeated abscess attacks. Some patients do not have an acute inflammatory process and show symptoms of a Bartholin's gland cyst from the beginning. Traditional Chinese medicine calls this disease "yang sore, yin swelling".

This disease often occurs on one side. In acute inflammation, one side of the vulva may swell and ache, which may affect walking. Inspection shows local skin redness, swelling, fever, and tenderness. When an abscess is formed, a sense of fluctuation can be felt. It is accompanied by systemic symptoms such as fever, chills, and dry mouth. The abscess may rupture and discharge pus on its own. Bartholin's gland cyst may have no subjective symptoms, grows slowly, and is often accidentally touched or found during examination. If the cyst is large, there may be a feeling of heaviness in the vulva or discomfort during sexual intercourse.

The diagnosis can be made based on typical symptoms and examination. In acute inflammation or abscess formation, the white blood cell count and neutrophil count may increase.