How to effectively reduce swelling of Bartholin's gland?

Bartholinitis often occurs in women of childbearing age. Common symptoms are the discovery of abscesses and severe pain, so it is necessary to pay attention to correct treatment to reduce swelling. After the abscess is formed, an arc-shaped incision can be made at the obvious fluctuation on the inner side of the labia majora to drain the pus. Larger Bartholin's gland cysts should be considered for surgical treatment.

1. During the acute Bartholinitis stage, there is local pain, redness and swelling. The pain is most severe when a Bartholin gland abscess is formed. Fever is common, but chills are less common. Sometimes urination and defecation are difficult. Clinical examination may reveal a red, swollen, hard lump in the lower 1/3 of the labia majora, which is obviously tender. If it has developed into an abscess, it is usually a lump ranging in size from an egg to an apple, often unilateral. The skin on the surface of the lump is red, thin, and the surrounding tissues are edematous. When the inflammation is severe, it may spread to the perineum and the contralateral vulva. There is significant local tenderness and fluctuation, and the inguinal lymph nodes are often enlarged.

2. If the abscess is not treated in time, it may occasionally spread posteriorly to form a perirectal abscess, and sometimes even rupture into the rectum. After the abscess is incised and drained, most of the abscess cavities can be completely closed and healed, but fistulas may occasionally form, with a small amount of secretions continuously discharged. Small, hard nodules can be felt upon palpation, with slight tenderness, and pus can sometimes flow out of the fistula when squeezed.

3. Sometimes the fistula will close or narrow on its own, and pus may accumulate and form an abscess again. It may also recur and not heal for a long time. After the acute phase of Bartholinitis, due to obstruction of the glandular duct opening, the glandular secretory fluid cannot be discharged and is retained, forming a Bartholin's gland cyst. Therefore, once women find that Bartholin's gland has abscess formation, they must seek timely treatment.

4. Treatment: In the acute phase, antibiotics can be injected intramuscularly or orally, bed rest, local hot compresses, sitz baths or heat therapy can be used. After the abscess is formed, an arc-shaped incision can be made at the place where the inner side of the labia majora has obvious fluctuations to drain the pus. Note that pus drainage should be thorough. Surgery should be considered for larger Bartholin's gland cysts.