My Bartholin's Cyst

I first noticed my Cyst approx. two years ago. It started pea sized but quickly became and remained about the size of a marble. It caused no pain and didn't really interfere at all with any activity, my only hang up was that it was a little unsightly. It was at this point that I may have been able to use home remedy to keep it smaller, my GP did suggest warm baths to temporarily make it smaller in appearance.

It stayed this size until November/December 2012 when I developed my first infection, it shot up to approx. 4.5cm in length, it was very red and very sore, it would ache when lying on my side and was a little uncomfortable to sit on/drive with. I quickly went to my Doctor, she recognised it as an infection and put me on a 7 day course of Antibiotics, I took 4x 500mg Flucloxacillin daily. The infection went away within 2-3 days and the lump decreased to its usual marble size. All pain went.

More recently in late February 2013 it flared up again, this time to the size of a Plum. I was on my period at the time and did not wish to be examined, I waited 4 days longer to see the GP because of this. I believe this may have made things worse as the Antibiotics were so effective during my last infection when I went to the GP immediately. Take my advice, GO, straight away, do not let any embarrassment or period delay you.
When I visited the Doctor she said it was an abscess and prescribed the same course as before, she said if it persisted, then it may need draining. The Antibiotics did not work, the size stayed at Plum, if larger, it got more painful until eventually I could hardly walk/sit/lay/drive. I began to develop a blister which started to cause burning pains, I believe this was due to chaffing. It was at this stage that I went to the Gynaecology unit by referral of the out of hours doctors.

The Doctor agreed that a Marsupialization was my best option, it was completed on the same day, several hours later. I have been told there is a 30% chance of it reoccurring. I don't care, I feel miles better and am now equipped with the knowledge to try and handle any future instances of another BC.