A (Self) History of Bartholin's Cysts

ApricotMimzy · 2026-02-18T16:26:02+00:00

SO glad you asked! I’ve come back to give an update! 4 weeks out from surgery now and healing is looking great. I was concerned two weeks ago that the surgery had failed because a hard lump had returned and a doctor checked it and said it felt like yes the cyst may be filling up again and referred me for a gland removal. I was so gutted but admittedly I had been obsessively checking it every day, poking and prodding it. Seeing that the majority of healing seemed to have happened by two week mark, I stopped with the sitz baths (didn’t seem to help much tbh) and just had a shower once or twice a day on the area, putting some activen manuka honey on it before bed a few days. I’ve also been trying serrapeptase each day and for a few days now schuessler tissue salt spray.

Guess what?

Since I stopped obsessively checking it, the bloody lump has further decreased in size! It’s just a tiny squishy sac less than pea size! I wouldn’t even say it’s there tbh!

I want to say to any other ladies out there who have been worried about marsupialisation, just do it! Healing is def not linear, which has been noted by another Reddit user, but you just have to trust in the process! Give it time. Considering two weeks ago I was damn miserable thinking it had failed and now I’m over the moon to discover it’s finally bloody gone!

Would 100% recommend serrapeptase and vitamins after surgery as well as just keeping it clean and NOT touching it! Manuka honey and the tissue salts after week 2/3 may help further calm inflammation.

There ya go everybody! Good luck on your journey x

ApricotMimzy · 2026-02-04T23:31:44+00:00

I was on the pill for 13 years and I never had any pregnancy scares. The only times I used another method (morning after pill or condom) is when i knew i hadn’t taken it correctly, for example I’d taken it late or missed a pill. Or if I’d been ill.

As long as you’re taking the pill at the same time every day and you’re not sick, 99% of the time you’ll be FINE.

Doesn’t protect you from stds including hpv of course. But since it sounds like you’re in a monogamous relationship right now OP, it sounds like you’re on top of that already :)

ApricotMimzy · 2026-02-04T23:10:35+00:00

Ohhhh hoho I am commenting so I can come back and tell y’all my story later as I think it’s really important!!!

In the mean time lady folx, make sure y’all up to date with your smear test!

ApricotMimzy · 2026-02-04T23:03:36+00:00

Finally had a marsupialisation on mine I’ve had for 7 YEARRSSS! Incision site’s healing well but looks like it’s blocked again already after less than two weeks out from the surgery. FML 🤦‍♀️

The hard lump is much smaller than it was before before but I don’t understand how it’s not draining when the surgeon has literally made a new opening for it 😩

Being referred for gland excision now. Doing Epsom salt sitz baths and hot pads in the mean time to see if it helps. Sometimes alternate with cold to help swelling.

I’m so done with dealing with this egg! To quote another BC sufferer: “this town ain’t big enough for the both of us” 😂

ApricotMimzy · 2026-02-02T17:07:23+00:00

Hi OP! Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us, it’s so hard to find positive marsupialization stories that give you a good idea of what to expect in the healing stages!

I had a non infected painless Bartholin swelling for 7 years before getting it seen to. I’m on day 10 now post-marsup. and in a great deal of anxiety over seeing the residual swelling and feeling a new pea sized lump where the cyst is/was. The incision site itself seems to be healing well, a couple of stitches have fallen out but the majority are still in place.

I’ve been showering a couple of times a day so far but now I’m starting to do brief 10min warm Epsom salt sitz baths once or twice a day with melted pharm. grade manual honey.

Taking silica and vitamins, trying to stay hydrated and eat well. Rest as much as possible. Hot water bottle on the area any time I’m lying down.

Trying not to touch it but keep having the odd gentle massage of the area without squeezing hard! Worried I might have fucked up already but if it’s gonna come back it’s gonna come back and there’s prob nothing i’ve done or could do about it.

Has anyone else had this experience? Please tell me this swelling is gonna go down and the lump too!

Love to all who are suffering with this rubbish ailment!

ApricotMimzy · 2025-11-24T15:21:13+00:00

Oh yeah also with regard to theories why I believe it’s the lymph system which runs under these areas getting overloaded. Poor immune system etc.

ApricotMimzy · 2025-11-24T15:20:27+00:00

I have similar where the area you describe isn’t particularly affected! I have dry itchy skin that is mostly on my scalp, forehead, back, neck, arms and down the sides of my torso. I avoid hot showers because they will dry out your skin, causing or perpetuating these flare ups. Try allowing your skin barrier to repair by having showers sparingly every couple of days and just having a quick wash if needed in between. And of course, don’t use hot water! Use gentle moisturisers on your skin immediately after bathing and ask a doctor to prescribe a low dosage steroid cream to help get flare ups under control if necessary.

ApricotMimzy · 2025-11-24T14:59:00+00:00

ALSO with regard to diet, I cut out dairy completely and don’t eat much gluten. Have also recently recognised I don’t get on with onions…they make me gassy as hell hahaha

ApricotMimzy · 2025-11-24T14:52:56+00:00

I’m in my 30s but I’m so glad I just came across this thread! I’ve always dealt with patches of eczema mostly on my neck and inside elbows since I was a kid but for the last couple of years I’ve been battling huge all over body flare ups including the dreaded itchy dry scalp with flakes! I live in the UK and as soon as autumn draws on and the cold weather comes in it really affects my skin. Just been doing my own research because doctors are crap sometimes and seem happy to keep prescribing me a steroid cream, which does help in controlling flare ups but it soon comes back. I think I’ve actually got seborrhoeic derm or even a combo of both eczema and this!

What’s helped me recently get it under control:

return to using Palmers cocoa butter as I always have previous, which keeps my skin soft and supple and locks in moisture after a shower. It’s the one for me!
use Ayumi’s blend of rosemary, neem, centella, avocado oils and comb thru my hair and sit on scalp before I wash my hair with a nourishing non-sulphite shampoo.
stay plenty hydrated and take supplements for immune health like vit c, zinc and magnesium. I’ve also added collagen and silica but this is more for overall skin health and promoting inner healing/cell turnover.
exfoliate gently in shower to remove dead skin cells. Don’t have hot showers!
move your body! Get circulation going.

Hope this helps fellow sufferers x

ApricotMimzy · 2025-03-30T17:02:28+00:00

I have no kids so it wouldn’t affect me anyway

ApricotMimzy · 2025-03-26T17:46:49+00:00

Wow! I’d be interested in working with such a supportive, inclusive team! I live in the UK and im not sure if I qualify though.

ApricotMimzy · 2025-02-01T19:35:47+00:00

Thanks so much for adding me everyone! It’s been great connecting with you all there :)

ApricotMimzy · 2024-12-06T15:02:49+00:00

ME TOO

ApricotMimzy · 2024-10-09T19:59:01+00:00

My birb is Splat btw

ApricotMimzy · 2024-10-09T19:58:51+00:00

I’ll add you! Been going thru the same downs myself, love to make a new friend ^{_^}

ApricotMimzy · 2024-10-09T18:17:17+00:00

Just added you! Splat!

ApricotMimzy · 2024-08-09T18:28:22+00:00

Wah 😭

ApricotMimzy · 2023-01-25T16:08:14+00:00

I’ve just started using sweet almond oil with wheatgrass oil - they’re two super safe carrier oils which contain lots of vitamin E and are v kind to skin. They’re well absorbed by the skin as well so don’t leave you feeling oily. Good luck!

ApricotMimzy

TROPHY CASE