Bartholin's Gland Abscess

[Anonymous]

Anyone ever have one? I think I do. I'm calling my ob/gyn first thing in the morning, but until then I'm hoping someone can tell me if they can usually treat it in the office. I read that a cyst is usually lanced and drained in the office with local anesthesia, but if the cyst hurts then it is usually an abscess that needs to be surgically treated under general anesthesia. Well, mine hurts like crazy. I'm hoping it can be treated in the office. Anyone have one treated? Could it be done in the office? I have the busiest week at work, and this is just stressing me out! UGH!

[Anonymous]

Oh boy I just posted above you about colorectal surgeon recs. This is how my whole drama started and it's going on a year later. Not to be TMI, but is the abscess/cyst/whatever all the way in your vagina or in the perineum area? Also, you should take a washcloth with very hot water and try to massage whatever it is. If it is a cyst, it can break open this way and it will give you immediate relief.

For what it's worth, mine was on my perineum (I thought it was a bartholin's abscess at first too) and ended up being a perianal abscess that needed emergency surgery. It then turned into a fistula. I've had three operations so far on it and need a fourth. It's been HELL. My best advice is to get this taken care of as soon as possible and if the doctor doesn't know what it is, go to another one. Mine got so bad because I kept going to dr's that didn't know what was wrong with me.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

PP, thanks for the info. It's definitely not in the perineium area. It's up further on my vulva, and I've been soaking a lot in warm baths but it's only gotten worse over the weekend. My vulva and labia are now supper swollen, and my doctor couldn't get me in until tomorrow morning. Ouch! I'm going to try the washcloth trick you mentioned. I desperately need some relief.