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PubMed This is a summary of 19 peer-reviewed journal articles Updated

Can a Bartholin Duct Cyst Cause Discharge, Pus, or Bleeding?

At a Glance

A Bartholin duct cyst can release clear or cloudy mucus, pus if infected, or occasionally bloody fluid when it drains near the vaginal opening. It usually does not cause discharge from inside the vagina, so persistent, heavy, or unusual discharge or bleeding needs medical evaluation.

In this answer

3 sections

01

Distinguishing Drainage from Discharge

02

When to Seek a Medical Evaluation

03

Special Considerations for Age

A Bartholin cyst or abscess can release fluid, pus, or occasionally blood when it drains. However, it usually causes localized drainage near the vaginal opening rather than true discharge produced inside the vagina or cervix. Because the Bartholin glands are located in the vulva (the outside genital area) near the lower opening of the vagina, it is easy to confuse fluid draining from a cyst with discharge coming from deeper inside [1] [2].

Distinguishing Drainage from Discharge

The Bartholin glands naturally produce fluid to help lubricate the vulva. When a duct becomes blocked, a cyst forms. If the cyst ruptures or is drained by a doctor, it typically releases mucus, which is a clear or cloudy fluid [3] [4].

If the cyst becomes infected, it turns into an abscess (a painful, swollen pocket of pus). When an abscess opens, it may release foul-smelling, green or yellow pus [5]. In some cases, a cyst might contain blood, leading to bloody or dark fluid when it drains [6] [7].

A Bartholin cyst or abscess does not itself explain typical vaginal infections, though it is entirely possible to have a vaginal infection or a sexually transmitted infection (STI) at the same time [8]. Do not squeeze or lance the lump yourself, as this can worsen the infection or cause injury. Even if a cyst drains on its own, you may still need a medical exam to ensure it is fully treated.

When to Seek a Medical Evaluation

Because symptoms can overlap, you cannot reliably identify the exact source of fluid or bleeding at home. Seek medical evaluation if you experience:

  • Foul-smelling or unusual discharge: Conditions like bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, or yeast infections can cause abnormal vaginal discharge and require specific treatments [9] [10] [11].
  • Blood or bleeding: Ongoing, heavy, or unexplained vaginal bleeding needs evaluation [12] [13]. Cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix), often caused by STIs, can cause both discharge and bleeding [13] [11].
  • Bleeding after a procedure: Follow your clinician’s instructions. A small amount of spotting is often expected, but contact them if bleeding is heavy, increasing, prolonged, or accompanied by dizziness.
  • Bleeding after menopause: Any bleeding after menopause requires prompt medical evaluation to rule out sources in the uterus, cervix, vagina, or vulva [14].
  • Ulceration (open sores) or non-healing lesions: If the area becomes ulcerated, does not heal, or if a mass persists and gets larger, it needs a careful physical exam. Most Bartholin cysts are benign, but rare vulvar malignancies (cancers) can sometimes be mistaken for a cyst or abscess [15] [16] [17].

Urgent Warning Signs

Seek prompt or same-day medical care if you experience:

  • Fever or chills
  • Rapidly worsening or severe pain and swelling
  • Spreading redness around the area
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Inability to sit or walk normally
  • Heavy bleeding that soaks pads quickly, or bleeding accompanied by feeling faint

Special Considerations for Age

Most Bartholin-area lumps are not cancer. However, if you are 40 or older, or have gone through menopause, a new lump in the Bartholin area should not automatically be assumed to be a benign cyst. A doctor should have a low threshold for performing a biopsy (removing a small tissue sample for testing) to confirm the diagnosis and ensure the lump is not a rare cancer [18] [19].

Common questions in this guide

Can a Bartholin cyst cause vaginal discharge?
A Bartholin cyst usually causes fluid to drain from a lump near the vaginal opening, rather than producing discharge from inside the vagina or cervix. Clear or cloudy mucus can come from the cyst, while a vaginal infection or STI may cause separate discharge at the same time.
What does pus from a Bartholin cyst mean?
Pus, especially foul-smelling yellow or green fluid with pain and swelling, can mean the cyst has become an abscess. Do not squeeze or lance it yourself; arrange medical evaluation because it may need proper drainage and treatment.
Can a Bartholin cyst cause bleeding or blood in the fluid?
A cyst can sometimes release bloody or dark fluid when it drains, but ongoing, heavy, or unexplained vaginal bleeding should be evaluated promptly. Any bleeding after menopause also needs medical assessment.
How can I tell whether the fluid is from the cyst or from my vagina?
Fluid from a Bartholin cyst usually comes from a lump beside the lower vaginal opening, while vaginal discharge comes from deeper inside. You cannot reliably identify the source at home, so a clinician may need to examine you and test for infection or an STI.
When should I seek urgent care for a Bartholin cyst?
Seek same-day care for fever or chills, rapidly worsening pain or swelling, spreading redness, trouble urinating, or inability to sit or walk normally. Heavy bleeding, especially with dizziness or faintness, also needs prompt care.
Does a new Bartholin lump after age 40 need a biopsy?
A new lump in the Bartholin area after age 40 or after menopause should be examined rather than assumed to be a cyst. A clinician may recommend a biopsy, which tests a small tissue sample, because rare vulvar cancers can resemble a cyst or abscess.

Related questions

Do Sex, Shaving, or Poor Hygiene Cause Bartholin Duct Cysts? Why Does My Bartholin Cyst or Abscess Keep Coming Back? How to Use Sitz Baths for a Bartholin Cyst or Abscess How Can You Tell a Bartholin Cyst from Other Vulvar Lumps? How Common Are Bartholin Cysts, and Who Usually Gets Them?
Show more
Can a Bartholin Cyst Become Cancerous? Warning Signs Can a Bartholin Duct Cyst Go Away, and When to Treat? If a Bartholin Abscess Bursts, Do You Still Need Treatment? Does a New Bartholin Cyst After 40 Need Biopsy or Removal? Is a Bartholin Abscess an STI, and Can It Be Contagious? Bartholin Lump Biopsy: What Happens and Is It Painful? Why Does a Bartholin Cyst Cause Pain With Sitting or Sex? Are Silver Nitrate or Alcohol Used for Bartholin Cysts? What Bacteria Cause a Bartholin Gland Abscess Besides STIs? Can Antibiotics Treat a Bartholin Abscess Without Drainage? Bartholin Abscess: Do You Need STI Testing or Wound Culture? When Are Antibiotics Needed for a Bartholin Abscess? When Is Imaging Needed for a Bartholin Cyst or Mass? Why Doesn't Simple Drainage Cure a Bartholin Abscess?

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References

References (19)
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This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. A healthcare professional should evaluate persistent, heavy, or concerning fluid, pus, or bleeding.