Exams and Tests

Unless a Bartholin gland cyst is causing symptoms, you may not know you have one. You or your doctor are most likely to notice one if it is big enough to be uncomfortable, creates a lump you can see or feel under the skin, or is infected.

If you are older than 40, your doctor may more carefully examine a lump to make sure that it is not cancerous. Although cancer is rare, a woman's risk increases with age.

A Bartholin gland abscess is diagnosed based on signs of infection, such as fever or swelling, and pain in the Bartholin gland area. Your doctor may culture some of the fluid drained from the abscess. Culture results show what type of bacteria are causing the infection. Knowing this helps your doctor choose an antibiotic for you. More than 60 different types of bacteria have been found in Bartholin gland abscesses, including gonorrhea and chlamydia.