Vaginal cysts

[8][9][10][3] Vaginal cysts can mimic other structures that protrude from the vagina such as a rectocele and cystocele.

[16] Vaginal inclusion cysts can appear as small bumps and can develop during childbirth, or after surgery.

[23] Inclusion cysts are small and located on the posterior, lower end of the vagina.

Small pieces of vaginal epithelium are trapped beneath the surface due to perineal lacerations and imperfect surgical repair after an episiotomy.

Symptoms include: infection, bladder dysfunction, abdominal pain, vaginal discharge, and urinary incontinence.

[11] It is often large enough to cause urinary incontinence but surgical removal provides treatment and recurrence is unlikely.

[19] This cyst has a lining of epithelial tissue that varies from squamous to mucin-secreting transitional epithelium.

Some women may experience vaginal pressure, discomfort, swelling, painful sex, or bleeding.

[17] Diagnosis is aided by the use of ultrasound, CT scan, voiding cystourethrogram, and MRI.

[15] Vaginal cysts resemble other structures that protrude from the vagina such as rectocele and cystocele.

[1] Vaginal cysts are often discovered during a routine pelvic exam or pap smear.

[15] Other structures that resemble vaginal cysts are connective tissue tumors, hematocolpos, and hymenal atresia.

[10] Treatment continues after the surgical removal by scheduled followups with the medical provider who looks for changes in the cyst.

A 1906 illustration of a Gartner cyst on the vaginal wall