Can I have sex if I have bartholinitis? – discover the answer

Before answering the question of whether you can have sexual relations with bartholinitis, let’s see below what are the factors and conditions that can cause the Bartholin glands to become inflamed and a possible infection:

Bacterial infection: If the bacteria reach the ducts of the Bartholin’s glands, they can cause inflammation and an accumulation of pus in them, thus leading to the formation of the so-called Bartholin’s abscess. Among the bacteria that usually cause this infection are: the bacteria that cause gonorrhea and chlamydia, escherichia coli (E. coli), streptococci, staphylococci and haemophilus influenzae (responsible for causing epiglottitis).Bartholin’s cyst: When this cyst occurs, there is only one part that prevents the secretion of the gland, which causes it to become clogged. If bacteria subsequently arrive, infection occurs.Adenocarcinoma: This is a type of malignant tumor that can affect these glands, although it is not very common.

In addition to the above causes of bartholinitis, specialists have pointed out that other risk factors that can favor the obstruction and inflammation of these glands are: wearing underwear made of synthetic fabrics, wearing very tight pants, having the IUD in place or being taking hormonal contraceptives. These factors can cause certain changes in vaginal discharge and increase the chances of developing bartholinitis.

Many times, Bartholin cysts do not cause noticeable symptoms because they are very small and infection does not occur. Now, when they grow and become infected, you can experience the symptoms which we list below:

Presence of a painful and tender lump near the vaginal opening. It usually occurs on only one side of the vaginal opening and its size can range from 1 to 4 cm. Pain when walking or sitting. Pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia). Inflammation and redness of the vaginal lip that has been affected. Fever.

One of the most frequently asked questions among affected women is whether can they have sex with bartholinitis or during its treatment. Next, we resolve this issue based on the recommendations from gynecologistswhich must be followed to the letter to avoid complications.

Symptoms may worsen

Although bartholinitis is not a sexually transmitted disease (STD), when a woman notices the appearance of a lump next to the vaginal opening that causes discomfort, It is advisable to temporarily suspend sexual relations and go to the gynecologist as soon as possible to receive an accurate diagnosis.

As we have pointed out in the previous section, bartholinitis can cause pain when having sexual relations, which happens because the penis comes into contact with the inflamed and affected vaginal area. Therefore, consequently, a worsening of symptoms may occur and the discomfort may worsen even when walking or sitting.

Sexual relations after treatment

In those cases in which bartholinitis is moderate and does not entail major complications, it is usually treated by taking antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. In any case, it is not recommended to maintain relationships until after about 15 or 20 days, since vaginal tissues require a period of time to recover and reestablish themselves. However, it should be taken into account that this frequency will vary depending on the discomfort.

Sexual relations after surgery

In other more serious cases, it may be necessary to resort to surgery to drain the Bartholin cyst if it is infected or has reached a considerable size. To do this, you can use some of the following techniques:

Insertion of a catheter for which a small incision is made in the cyst. This allows the fluid inside the cyst to drain. It is usually worn for 2 to 4 weeks and although it does not make it impossible to carry out daily tasks, it does prevent sexual relations.Marsupialization: The cyst is opened directly to drain all the fluid. It is usually carried out in case of recurrent cysts or when the previous catheter procedure fails to eliminate it effectively. It is important to avoid sexual relations until the wound heals and heals completely.Removal of Bartholin’s gland: If the previous techniques do not work, the gland is removed directly. It is a procedure that must be done under general anesthesia and may involve hospitalization of the patient for about 2 or 3 days. In this case, sexual relations could be resumed after approximately 4 weeks if the recovery is favorable.

It is important to note that the recommended periods for resuming intimate relationships in case of bartholinitis are indicative and should be adapted depending on each case, so it is most advisable for each woman to consult with her gynecologist for information.

In addition to medical treatment, there are a number of care and recommendations that can be taken into account to promote the healing of bartholinitis naturally:

Perform sitz baths with warm water several times a day. Apply hot wet compresses to the vaginal area. Take infusions made with medicinal plants that have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties to reduce symptoms, such as ginger, boldo, dandelion , chamomile, etc. Apply gauze soaked with apple cider vinegar to the affected area. Wash the vagina twice a day with a mild soap specific for the intimate area. Avoid using soaps with fragrances or irritants. Keep the vaginal area always dry. Use underwear made of natural fabrics and avoid synthetic ones. Use a condom in all sexual relations.

In the following article we show more details on how to treat bartholinitis.

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