How Common Are Bartholin Cysts, and Who Usually Gets Them?

An often-cited estimate is that about 2% of women will develop a Bartholin duct cyst or an infected abscess at some point in their lifetime ^[1][2]. They are most common in women of childbearing age, particularly those in their 20s and 30s ^[3][4].

Why the Exact Numbers Are Hard to Track

While the 2% lifetime estimate is widely cited ^[1][2], the actual number of people who get Bartholin cysts might be higher. Many cysts are small, do not cause symptoms, and resolve on their own without any treatment ^[5]. Because these cases do not require a doctor’s visit, they do not show up in hospital or clinic records. The data we do have mostly comes from those who needed medical care for larger, painful cysts or infections ^[3][5].

Who Is Most Likely to Get Them?

Bartholin cysts and abscesses typically affect women during their reproductive years ^[1]. In studies of women treated for Bartholin abscesses, the average age is usually around 26 to 36 years old ^[3][4].

It is important to know that getting a Bartholin cyst or abscess is not a sign of poor hygiene. A cyst forms simply because the small tube (duct) that drains fluid from the Bartholin gland (located in the lower vulvar area, just outside the vaginal opening) becomes blocked, causing the fluid to build up ^[1][6].

If bacteria get trapped in this blocked fluid, it can turn into a painful infection called an abscess ^[1][7]. Abscesses often involve a mix of common bacteria. While Escherichia coli (E. coli) is one of the more frequently found bacteria in these infections ^[8], this simply reflects the natural bacteria of the body and does not imply poor hygiene. Additionally, having a Bartholin cyst or abscess does not automatically mean you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI), as research has not proven that STIs directly cause these cysts ^[9].

When a Cyst Needs Medical Attention

While a simple cyst might be painless, an abscess is a bacterial infection ^[7]. You should seek prompt medical care if you develop signs that the cyst is becoming an abscess, such as increasing pain, marked tenderness, redness, warmth, or fever ^[7].

Getting a Cyst Later in Life

After menopause, new Bartholin cysts are less common ^[10]. If you are over the age of 40—and especially if you have gone through menopause—any new lump near the Bartholin gland needs to be evaluated by a doctor ^[11][12].

Doctors recommend having a “low threshold” for evaluating new vulvar masses in women over 40 ^[11][12]. This extra caution is important because:

• Rare tumors can mimic cysts: In very rare cases, a serious condition like a Bartholin gland tumor can look and feel exactly like a benign (non-cancerous) cyst or abscess, sometimes appearing as a painless lump ^[10][12].
• Testing ensures accuracy: Most lumps found in this area are still harmless. However, depending on how the lump looks and whether it is persistent or firm, your doctor may recommend a biopsy (taking a small sample of tissue to examine under a microscope) ^[11][12]. This ensures that an unusual mass isn’t mistaken for a simple cyst, which could delay necessary care ^[10][11].