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Hello Aunt Vadge,
Several months ago I was diagnosed with a Bartholin abscess – pea-sized, whitish-yellow, very painful. Medication didn’t help, so I had minor surgery to drain it. It’s been over six months with no problems, but for the last 3–4 days there’s been pain in those stitches, and I’m scared it’ll come back. What should I do? I masturbate often – could that be causing it to regrow?
Best,
Scared
Age 18, Sydney, Australia
Dear Scared,
First, the bit you can let go of: masturbating is almost certainly not the cause, so please don’t feel guilty or stop. Bartholin’s cysts and abscesses happen when the gland’s tiny duct gets blocked and fluid backs up behind it – it’s a plumbing problem, not a ‘too much arousal fluid’ one.
If anything, fluid flowing freely is healthy, so carry on enjoying yourself; that’s not what’s going on here.
What does deserve a look is the new pain. Fresh pain at the old site after six clear months warrants a check-up – it could be the duct starting to re-block, irritation of the old scar, or something unrelated entirely, and the only way to know is to have your doctor look.
Don’t wait it out; getting in early is exactly how you stop a small twinge turning into another unbearable abscess.
In the meantime – and for life, if you turn out to be one of the people who’s simply prone to these – warm sitz baths or compresses at the very first sign are your best friend.
A warm soak several times a day helps the duct open and drain, and often heads off a full-blown abscess if you catch it early, so it’s worth starting now while you wait for your appointment.
Keep well hydrated, keep the area gently clean with plain water, and if these keep recurring, ask your gynaecologist about marsupialisation or a Word catheter, which create a permanent little drainage channel so the duct can’t keep blocking – the proper longer-term fix for repeat offenders.
You’re handling this exactly right by paying attention early.
Warmest regards,
Aunt Vadge
This is general information, not a substitute for personalised medical advice.
