The Bartholin's glands are located on each side of the vaginal opening. These glands secrete fluid that helps lubricate the vagina. Sometimes the openings of these glands become obstructed causing fluid to back up into the gland, resulting in relatively painless swelling called a Bartholin cyst. At times, this fluid may become infected, creating a small area of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue (abscess).

A Bartholin cyst or abscess is uncommon. Treatment of Bartholin cyst depends on the size of the cyst, the pain and whether it's infected. Sometimes, home treatment is all you need. In other cases, surgical drainage of the Bartholin cyst is necessary. If an infection occurs, antibiotics may be necessary to treat the Bartholin cyst.