How to Identify Vaginal Cysts

Vaginal cysts are small sacs located within the vagina and under the vaginal wall. These cysts contain fluid or semisolid material and they can occur from trauma to the vagina or when a gland or duct is clogged. Vaginal cysts are usually painless, round lumps and quite often, women do not experience any symptoms at all. However, some women do experience discomfort from vaginal cysts, but they are able to get relief with proper treatment and medical attention. There are a few things that you can do to diagnose vaginal cysts.

Things You'll Need

• Pelvic examination

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Instructions

• 1

  Determine if you have any symptoms of vaginal cysts. Although many women do not have symptoms, the most common symptoms of vaginal cysts include a small swelling in the vaginal walls, unpleasant pain during sexual intercourse and a lump that sticks out in the vaginal opening.

• 2

  Make an appointment with your healthcare provider. Call your healthcare provider and schedule an appointment with him as soon as you notice any of the symptoms of vaginal cysts. Your healthcare provider can give you an examination and determine whether or not you actually have vaginal cysts.

• 3

  Go to your appointment and meet with your healthcare provider. In order to diagnose vaginal cysts, your healthcare provider must first ask you about your symptoms and give you a medical evaluation. She may also ask you questions about your current health status and verify whether or not you’ve had any damage or trauma to your vagina (such as a previous operation). Be sure to answer all of her questions honestly.

• 4

  Complete the required physical examination. Your healthcare provider gives you a pelvic examination and examines the entire vaginal area including the reproductive organs (such as the uterus, cervix and ovaries). He looks and feels for vaginal cysts, swelling and lumps in the vagina and along the vaginal walls. The pelvic examination is a rather quick procedure and it should only take a few minutes to do (less than 20 minutes).

• 5

  Confirm the diagnosis with your healthcare provider. After your healthcare provider completes the pelvic examination, she confirms with you that you have vaginal cysts. She can tell you how many cysts you have, the size of them and the exact location for each cyst. Be sure to ask your healthcare provider questions if you are unclear about anything.