4 types of vaginal cysts and when you should be concerned about a bump on your vagina

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• Vaginal cysts come in four main types including Bartholin's gland and Müllerian cysts.
• Most vaginal cysts will go away on their own and do not require medical treatment.

Vaginal cysts are common, affecting an estimated 1 in 200 women at some point in their lives. While most vaginal cysts are painless and harmless, some types are more prone to infection and can become red, swollen, and tender if left untreated.

Medical term: Cysts — or closed pockets of tissue filled with air, fluid, or pus — can form anywhere on the body, including the vagina.

That said, the most important thing to know about these cysts is that they're usually nothing to worry about, says Kenosha Gleaton, MD, a board-certified OB-GYN at The EpiCentre and Natalist medical advisor.

The vast majority of cysts are non-cancerous, and most of the time, they're also asymptomatic and will go away on their own with time, requiring no treatment.

"The human body is prone to developing various lumps and bumps, and cysts are just one type of growth many people get," she says. "They're not usually harmful or even painful."

Below, experts share how to determine which type of vaginal cyst you may have, what caused it, and when to seek treatment for it.

Types

There are many different types of vaginal cysts that can range from the size of a pea to a large golf ball.

To determine which type you may have, it's important to note the cyst's location and size. Here's a breakdown of the four main types of vaginal cysts.

1. Bartholin's gland cysts

A very common type of cyst develops on the Bartholin's glands, which are located near the opening of the vagina on either side of the labia (lips).

This type of vaginal cyst, called a Bartholin's gland cyst, occurs when a flap of skin grows over the gland and fluid becomes trapped inside. It accounts for roughly 27.5% of vaginal cysts

Like other vaginal cysts, these typically go away on their own and are usually painless — but may be accompanied by some tenderness or discomfort while sitting, walking, or having sex.

However, if Bartholin's gland cysts get infected, they can become a painful pus-filled abscess that may need antibiotics or a minor procedure to drain it. Moreover, even if you do treat it, there is a chance that the cyst will return.

2. Gartner's duct cysts

About 17.5% of vaginal cysts are Gartner's duct cysts, making them slightly less common than other types.

These cysts develop on the side walls of the vagina and typically go unnoticed because they're so small, measuring less than 2 centimeters in size.

As a result, people typically only learn they have a Gartner's cyst during a pelvic exam, ultrasound, or other unrelated medical appointment.

3. Inclusion cysts

Inclusion cysts make up about 25% of vaginal cysts. These are usually very small and located on the lower back of the vaginal wall.

Depending on the size and location, they may cause discomfort or pain during sex — but most of the time, people with inclusion cysts are asymptomatic.

4. Müllerian cysts

About 30% of vaginal cysts are Müllerian cysts, making them the most common type.

Like other vaginal cysts they are usually small, painless, and go unnoticed until a medical exam, says Gleaton.

Müllerian cysts are most common in women between the ages of 30 and 40 and can grow anywhere on the vaginal walls, says Gleaton.

Symptoms

The majority of cysts, especially small ones, are asymptomatic, says Karyn Eilber, MD, a board-certified urologist specializing in female pelvic medicine at Cedars-Sinai Hospital,

"You might just feel a small lump along the vaginal wall or on the labia," says Gleaton.

However, Gleaton notes that when cysts grow larger — particularly Bartholin's gland cysts — they may cause discomfort or pain during sex or while inserting a tampon.

Cysts are more likely to cause pain when they get infected, says Gleaton. Symptoms of an infection include:

• Tenderness or pain at the site
• Discomfort or pain while walking and/or sitting
• Fever

Causes

The cause of a vaginal cyst depends on its type, according to Gleaton.

"Vaginal cysts usually form when a gland or duct becomes clogged, causing liquid or another material to collect inside," she says.

• Inclusion cysts are caused by trauma to the vaginal walls — for example, after you have an episiotomy during childbirth, or after a surgery that damages the lining of the vagina.
• Bartholin's gland cysts form when the opening to the Bartholin's glands, which produce fluid that lubricates the vagina, becomes blocked. This causes a backup of the lubricating fluid. They can be caused by injury or irritation to the vulvar area of the vagina, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or certain bacterial infections.
• Gartner's duct cysts are caused when the Gartner duct – an organ that forms while a baby is developing in the womb — doesn't disappear after childbirth, as it's supposed to. When parts of the duct remain, they can collect fluid and eventually form a cyst, says Gleaton.
• Müllerian cysts form as a result of embryonic remnants, or materials relating to a fetus' development, that are left behind after childbirth, according to Eilber.

Treatment

A vaginal cyst is usually diagnosed by your gynecologist during an exam, says Gleaton, and treatment will depend on your symptoms.

For example, if the cyst is so large in size that it makes everyday movements uncomfortable, your healthcare provider may recommend one of the following options:

• Surgical removal
• Catheter insertion to drain it
• Marsupialization, another way of draining the cyst by making a small incision in it

On the other hand, if you have signs of an infection, your healthcare provider will likely prescribe you antibiotics. Or if the cyst produces discharge, they may test the fluid for STIs or other bacterial infections.

Note: Your healthcare provider can conduct a biopsy of the cyst to rule out cancer, says Gleaton. A biopsy entails removing a piece of tissue from the cyst, which your doctor will then examine under a microscope.

If, however, you think you have a vaginal cyst but it's asymptomatic and feels soft to the touch, Eilber says you can wait to see if it goes away on its own. Cysts typically resolve within one to three weeks.

Or if the cyst is small and only slightly uncomfortable, you can try easing the discomfort by sitting in a shallow, warm-water bath several times a day, commonly known as a "sitz bath" says Gleaton.

When to see a doctor

Eilber advises seeing your doctor or gynecologist if the cyst meets any of the following criteria:

• It doesn't go away within a couple of months
• It increases in size
• It starts causing pain or other symptoms, like bleeding
• It feels solid to the touch, which may indicate a tumor

Insider's takeaway

There are many different types of vaginal cysts, each of which occurs in different locations. The cause of the cyst depends on the type.

Regardless of the type, the important thing to remember is that vaginal cysts are rarely dangerous. They're also usually asymptomatic and painless — unless they get infected or become large in size.

If you suspect you have a vaginal cyst but aren't experiencing symptoms, you can wait it out and see if it goes away on its own. That said, if it grows, becomes painful, or begins exhibiting other symptoms, experts strongly advise seeing your doctor for an examination and diagnosis.