A Bartholin cyst typically appears as a soft or firm lump or swelling near the vaginal opening, usually on one side, at the lower part of the vulva near the labia minora or majora. The size of the cyst can vary widely-from as small as a pea to as large as a golf ball or even bigger in some cases
. Visual characteristics of a Bartholin cyst include:
- A smooth, rounded swelling or lump near the vaginal entrance, often unilateral (one side)
- The cyst may cause one side of the labia majora to appear enlarged or hang lower than the other
- It can be painless if not infected, but may cause discomfort or pain when sitting, walking, or during sexual intercourse
- If infected (forming an abscess), the cyst area becomes red, swollen, tender, and may produce pus or discharge. The skin over the cyst can look red and feel hot
- Infected cysts can cause systemic symptoms like fever and chills
Medical images and clinical photos (as described in sources) show a rounded cystic swelling behind the labia minora, often located posterolaterally at the vaginal opening. The cyst is a fluid-filled sac caused by blockage of the Bartholin gland duct, leading to mucus retention
. In summary, a Bartholin cyst looks like a lump or swelling near the vaginal opening, varying in size and sometimes accompanied by redness and pain if infected. It is usually visible as a unilateral swelling on the vulva near the labia
