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Vaginal cyst

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
 
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A vaginal cyst is a rather unpleasant and not so easy to treat disease, which can affect absolutely all women. Such formations in the female genital organs are a clear deviation from the norm and can be either malignant or benign. The further treatment of the disease will depend on the nature of the cyst and its location. So you should not put off a visit to the gynecologist for a long time, because the sooner you begin to treat such an ailment, the less likely there will be complications.

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Causes of vaginal cysts

A vaginal cyst is nothing more than a mild tumor, although it does not belong to true tumors of the genitals. Such a cyst can be congenital or traumatic (acquired).

The causes of a congenital cyst may be abnormalities in the development of the internal tissues of the Müllerian or paraurethral ducts. A congenital cyst is usually located on the walls of the female genital organ. If we are talking about a Müllerian duct cyst, then it is also worth taking a more careful approach to diagnosis, since such a disease often occurs together with vaginal atresia, which is already a defect in the development of the female genital organs.

It happens that a vaginal cyst occurs due to surgical intervention during termination of pregnancy. This is due to the elimination of ruptures and scars that may remain after childbirth. If epithelial formations penetrate into the thickness of the vaginal tissue during surgical intervention, then there is a risk of developing such a tumor. An acquired cyst is most often localized on the back wall of the female genital organ.

Thus, we see that the causes of a cyst can be quite diverse. The main thing is to diagnose it in time and begin treatment.

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Symptoms of vaginal cyst

Usually, a vaginal cyst develops without any particular symptoms. That is why it is necessary to undergo regular routine examinations with a gynecologist to detect possible cyst formation at an early stage. If the tumor is already quite developed, pain and bleeding during sexual intercourse or bowel movement disorders may occur. There may also be a feeling of something foreign in the vagina.

Considering that a vaginal cyst is essentially a purulent sac with gray-white masses, the development of such a tumor may be accompanied by regular leucorrhoea or symptoms of colpitis. If the cyst arose during pregnancy, then several courses of events are possible. Provided that the cyst during pregnancy is small and does not interfere with childbirth, then its treatment can be left for the postpartum period. If the formation is strong, then either removal of suppuration or initial determination of the birth process using a cesarean section is possible.

As we can see, a vaginal cyst does not have particularly strong symptoms, so it is recommended to undergo careful and regular examinations by a gynecologist and seek advice at the first suspicion of discomfort in the genitals.

Vaginal cyst: appearance and location

Externally, a vaginal cyst has the form of a bulge on the front or back walls of the female genital organ. As we have already noted, such a bulge is filled with a gray-white purulent mass and feels significantly different from an overfilled bladder or intestine. The size of a vaginal cyst is very diverse - from a small quail egg and larger. Such formations cause significant discomfort and bleeding during sexual intercourse.

Vaginal vestibule cyst

Since this area of the genital organ is located very close to the entrance, it is quite possible to diagnose the appearance of formations in it independently by feeling the area of the entrance to the vagina. A cyst of the vestibule of the vagina may not manifest itself for a long time until it reaches a fairly large size and begins to cause discomfort during sexual intercourse or urination.

The disease is diagnosed by taking a standard gynecological smear, after which surgical treatment is required. The best option remains complete surgical enucleation of the cyst. Although, such an operation is highly dependent on the surgeon's qualifications.

Cyst on the vaginal wall. As we have already said, a cyst on the vaginal wall is usually congenital and develops due to disturbances in the development of epithelial tissues of the internal parts of the female genital organ. The cyst can be located both on the anterior wall and deeper. Diagnosis of such a formation occurs at a gynecologist's appointment by taking a smear and ultrasound.

Cyst on the back wall of the vagina

Such a formation is more often acquired than congenital. It develops as a result of improper surgical intervention during the termination of pregnancy or childbirth. Diagnosis is made by taking a smear and ultrasound. Like any other cyst in the female genital organ, a cyst on the back wall of the vagina can cause pain and bleeding during sexual intercourse.

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Diagnosis of vaginal cysts

If the cyst has developed in the vestibule of the vagina, then the primary diagnosis can be carried out independently. But only a gynecologist can carry out a full examination and diagnosis. Since the cyst develops asymptomatically in most cases, it requires constant monitoring by a specialist. If the cyst begins to increase significantly in size, it must be completely removed by surgical intervention.

Cyst diagnostics are performed at a doctor's appointment by taking a smear, ultrasound, and examination using a gynecological mirror. Before surgical removal of a benign tumor, the patient's smear is additionally examined for bacteriological composition, and the position of the purulent formation relative to the location of the bladder and rectum is determined.

An additional colposcopy is also performed before the operation. This helps to identify and prevent all possible risks associated with the operation to remove a vaginal cyst.

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How to treat vaginal cyst?

There are several ways to treat a vaginal cyst - temporary and complete. Temporary neutralization of the cyst is carried out by puncture aspiration. Over time, the cyst is filled with fluid again due to epithelial cells and the procedure should be repeated. This method is very often used in cases of a large cyst during pregnancy so that the patient can give birth. After childbirth, the cyst is treated fully.

A fairly safe method of cyst removal is marsupialization. This procedure involves surgically cutting the cyst and emptying it. The cyst walls are then sutured to the vaginal mucosa to prevent the sac from filling up again.

If the cyst is congenital and is located quite deep in the genital organ, then the surgical intervention will be more radical. In this case, a longitudinal incision is made on the cyst and it is completely enucleated. Such operations are complicated by the fact that one should be very careful with the position of the cyst relative to the bladder and rectum. These internal organs cannot be affected during the operation, since complications may arise later. If the cyst cannot be removed through the vagina without consequences and complications, the laparotomy method is used.

Treatment of vaginal cysts with folk remedies

As we have already noted, a developed and progressing cyst is best treated by surgical removal. If the cyst was detected in the early stages of formation, then you can resort to folk methods of treatment. In order to cure a vaginal cyst with folk remedies, tinctures of wormwood, St. John's wort, succession, sage, dill seeds, nettle roots, sweet clover, yarrow and thistle are most often used. To prepare a decoction, you need to mix the specified herbs in equal quantities. Next, 1 tablespoon of the herbal mixture must be poured with 300 ml of boiling water and left to infuse overnight. The resulting decoction should be taken 100 ml three times a day 2 hours after meals. The period of taking the decoction is one month, after which you should take a break for a week and repeat the course of treatment again. Usually, a full cycle of treatment with this method until complete recovery lasts from 8 to 10 months, if there is no improvement, you should resort to traditional medical methods of treating vaginal cysts.

Prevention of vaginal cysts

Prevention of vaginal cysts does not imply any supernatural measures. To maintain the health of the female genital organ, you should follow just a few simple rules. First, carefully monitor the hygiene of the genitals and the body as a whole. Avoid hypothermia and do not interrupt the course of treatment for infectious colds. You should also be especially attentive to infectious and inflammatory processes of the female reproductive system and treat such diseases in a timely manner. And, of course, you should regularly consult a gynecologist and visit him at least twice a year.

If you are pregnant, monitor the normal course of your pregnancy.

All this together will help you always stay healthy and will not bring unnecessary troubles and worries.

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