Bartholin Glands
You probably will never hear about this lady part until there’s something wrong with yours - And only about 2-3% of women have problems with their Bartholin glands, so this might be the only time you ever hear they even exist - Sara Twogood MD
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Bartholin Glands: If your vagina is a clock, it’s 4:40 right now
Your Bartholin glands sit right next to your vagina. There’s two of them – if your vagina is a clock, your Bartholin glands are the 4 and the 8. They’re very small (less than 0.5 cm) and have the glamorous job of secreting mucus for vaginal lubrication. The more common problem is a Bartholin gland cyst. You might not even notice it’s there because most are asymptomatic. You may have a bulge on the side of your vagina and you’re not sure what it is. It doesn’t hurt, but it can be uncomfortable, especially the larger ones (4cm or more). You might notice it more during intercourse. Usually only 1 side is affected at a time, so if you see or feel a lump on one side of your vulvar area, you can ask…Articles of Interest
'I wanted to be a woman - I didn't want to be an 'it"
Karen Smith was 40 when sex with her partner first became uncomfortable. On examination, she discovered a lump the size of a large marble on the right wall of her vagina, just by the entrance. Fifteen years ago, she had a Bartholin cyst removed from exactly the same spot. She assumed it had now returned. Not in the least bit troubled, she ignored it.
Bartholin Gland Masses
The Bartholin glands are posterior to the vestibular bulbs, and function to produce mucus that aids in vaginal and vulvar lubrication. They drain into ducts that open onto the vulvar vestibule at roughly 4 and 8 o’clock. Blockage of the Bartholin duct, resulting in a cyst or abscess, is a common etiology of a vulvar mass and accounts for 2% of all gynecological visits per year.
Bump on your vagina?
A woman has two Bartholin glands. They are located on the sides of the vaginal opening. These pea-sized glands make mucus. This mucus lubricates the outside part of the vagina (vulva). If a tube (duct) in one of these glands becomes blocked, it can cause a cyst or abscess.
Resources
6 men who named your gynaecological anatomy after themselves
If you've ever had a Bartholin's cyst, this one will likely give you shudders as they are pretty nasty. But for the rest of us, you might not even have heard of this tiny little gland that sits on either side your vaginal opening. Described by, and named after Caspar Bartholin the Younger, they secrete vaginal mucous during sexual arousal (so keep you nice and lubricated.) Caspar unfortunately hasn't always enjoyed the fruit of his labour - his 'discovery' is often wrongly attributed to his grandfather, Caspar Bartholin the Elder. Easy mistake to make, eh?
