I just recently had a barthonlins gland cyst 'marsupialized.' A barthonlins gland is at the base of the vaginal entrance and happens when the gland becomes blocked. I had one about 4 months ago and it was lanced by my gyno. It was a lump on my perineum that was squishy. It was painless but just a lump. It then reappeared about 3 weeks ago, much bigger and became extremely painfull in two days to the point where I took myself to emergency. I was recommended to go to to Royal Womens (in melbourne) and they saw me there. THis was a Sunday and they booked me in for surgery on the Tuesday. By Tuesday, I couldn't sit stand or walk without extreme pain and was living on panadeine forte. It felt like being stung by wasps on my perineum - yea! The surgery, whilst a general, was incredibly quick - I was in at 7:30, awake by 9:00 and home by 1:00pm. Upon waking the pain relieft was immediate, and I was looking after 3 kids on the Thursday. I am back to normal now, cept a bit itchy on the site where the stiches still are.

The procedure, a 'marsuplization' (hop! hop! ) is done by lancing the cyst and then making a small hole which is sewn open. This is to ensure that the cyst can't become blocked again (can happen, but unlikely!). I highly recommend it!

I also highly recommend you going to your nearest women's hospital if possible. I live an hour way, and it was still worth while going - they knew exactly what I was talking about, had a gyno on emergency staff (I assume this would be unlikely at a general hospital, especially if you go to emergency out of hours) and were super understanding, sensitive and knowlegeable.

I understand the pain, and I sympathise, it was incredible. I would prefer labour to the cyst pain again!

Hope this helps!

Cheers.