Bartholin's cyst or abscess ⚠️ 🩺
🧠 Clinical mechanism: Obstruction of the Bartholin duct causes a cyst; secondary infection can produce a painful vulval abscess.
🔎 Recognise
- Unilateral lump near the vaginal entrance, severe pain, erythema or fever if infected.
🛟 First assessment and action
- Offer sensitive examination with consent and chaperone; urgent review for systemic illness or rapidly increasing pain; refer for drainage where indicated.
🧪 Investigations and reassessment
- Diagnosis is usually clinical; consider STI screening where relevant and evaluate atypical persistent masses.
⚠️ Pitfall / escalation
- Avoid simple blind repeated drainage or assuming every vulval lump is benign; persistent or suspicious lesions need cancer assessment.
UK reference: Primary NHS/NICE/RCOG/GMC source.
Editorial draft, 7 November 2026: targeted source-supported educational summary, NOT independent consultant/pharmacist verification or a treatment protocol. Follow up-to-date BNF, NICE and local NHS pathways.
Related: Vulval/vaginal lump · Vulval itching and lesions