임신 중 밑에 혹이 생겼어요, 바톨린 낭종 원인과 한방 체질개선 치료

Hello, this is Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic. If you suddenly feel a lump and pain around the vaginal entrance, it can be quite alarming, especially during pregnancy when anxiety runs high. Many patients visit us saying, "I have a lump down there while pregnant." Most of these symptoms are likely Bartholin cysts or Bartholin abscesses. The Bartholin glands are located on both sides of the vaginal entrance and secrete lubricating fluid. When the duct of this gland becomes blocked, fluid accumulates and swells into a lump, which is a Bartholin cyst. If bacterial infection occurs here, it can develop into an abscess filled with pus, causing severe pain. 💡 **[Key Answer]** Top 3 most common causes of **having a lump down there during pregnancy**: ① Blockage of the Bartholin gland duct / ② Inflammation due to bacterial infection / ③ Decreased immunity and circulation during pregnancy Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic resolves the root cause of Bartholin cysts safely during pregnancy through **constitutional treatment** and prevents recurrence. ### Why Do Bartholin Cysts Occur More Frequently During Pregnancy? Bartholin cysts occur in about 2% of all women and are relatively common, mainly appearing in women of childbearing age. Especially during pregnancy, physical changes, decreased immunity, and pelvic congestion can increase the likelihood of Bartholin cysts occurring or recurring. Some reports indicate that the incidence is higher in women aged 20-30 without previous childbirth experience compared to those with childbirth experience. The main cause of Bartholin cysts is blockage of the Bartholin gland duct. This can be caused by various factors such as bacterial infection, hormonal imbalances, or hygiene habits. If the cyst becomes infected and progresses to an abscess, bacteria such as E. coli, gonococci, or Chlamydia are often the cause. During pregnancy, women may become more vulnerable to these infections, and symptoms can worsen when general bodily circulation is poor or immunity is low. ### Can Pregnant Women Receive Bartholin Cyst Treatment Safely? While Bartholin cysts during pregnancy usually do not pose a direct hazard to the fetus, progressing to an abscess due to infection can cause severe pain and discomfort to the mother, and in some cases, risks of complications. Therefore, if pain is severe or signs of infection such as fever appear, prompt and appropriate treatment is important. Generally, treatment for Bartholin cysts depends on the size of the cyst, degree of pain, and presence of infection. Small, painless cysts may resolve spontaneously or improve with conservative management such as sitz baths or warm compresses. However, if infected or enlarged causing severe pain, antibiotic treatment, surgical drainage, or marsupialization may be necessary. Complete excision of the Bartholin gland is generally discouraged during pregnancy due to increased bleeding risks. In such situations, Korean medicine treatment can help safely address the root causes of Bartholin cysts and prevent recurrence during pregnancy. In Korean medicine, Bartholin cysts fall under the category of "Yimchang" (vaginal sores) and are interpreted as being caused by excessive heat, phlegm, or damp-heat accumulating in the lower abdomen, often resulting from qi-blood circulation imbalance and low immunity. In a retrospective cohort study published in the *European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology* in 2017 by J. Boujenah et al., clinical and bacteriological characteristics of Bartholin gland abscesses during pregnancy were analyzed for 156 patients (40 pregnant, 116 non-pregnant) who underwent surgical treatment between 2004 and 2015. The study found that the incidence of Bartholin gland abscess during pregnancy was 0.13%, with a higher risk of abscess development in pregnant women with a history of recurrence (pregnant 55% vs non-pregnant 30.1%, p\<0.05). The researchers concluded that with appropriate management, both maternal and neonatal outcomes are favorable, and severe infections are not anticipated. This suggests that proper management of Bartholin cysts during pregnancy is crucial, especially for those with a history. Furthermore, a study by Hong Jian-nan and Wang Ru published in *Zhong Yi Za Zhi (The Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine)* in 1994 applied herbal medicine treatments aimed at clearing heat and promoting blood circulation to 21 female reproductive inflammation patients (including 15 cases of Bartholin cysts). After a 10-day treatment course, all 21 patients achieved resolution of symptoms, with 4 patients treated in 1 course and 15 in 2 courses. This study demonstrates that Korean medicine treatments can be effective for female reproductive inflammation. Based on these insights, Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic Songdo Branch provides treatments that address the root causes of Bartholin cysts to lower recurrence rates. ### Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic's Constitutional Treatment: Building a Healthy Body Without Recurrence At Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic, **constitutional treatment** is the core principle for treating Bartholin cysts, especially those occurring during pregnancy. The goal goes beyond merely suppressing current inflammation; it aims to build a healthy state where our body becomes naturally resistant to inflammation and the condition does not reoccur. Patients who suffer from recurring Bartholin cysts often have co-existing problems such as low immunity, chronic stagnation of qi and blood circulation, or accumulation of waste products like damp-phlegm or blood stasis. Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic Songdo Branch thoroughly diagnoses the patient's overall physical condition and provides personalized constitutional treatment. 1. **Customized Herbal Prescription:** Prescribing herbal medicines tailored to the patient's constitution and symptoms to promote qi and blood circulation, expel unnecessary damp-heat and toxins from the body, and strengthen uterine and pelvic cavity functions. During pregnancy, safe and gentle medicinal herbs that do not affect the fetus are carefully selected and prescribed. 2. **Acupuncture Therapy:** Inserting needles into specific acupuncture points to promote pelvic qi and blood circulation, alleviate inflammation, and control pain. This strengthens the tissues around the Bartholin glands and boosts immunity to reduce inflammation incidence. 3. **Pharmacopuncture and Moxibustion:** Utilizing pharmacopuncture that acts directly on the inflamed area to quickly calm inflammation, and moxibustion therapy to warm the lower abdomen, facilitate blood flow circulation, and aid waste elimination. Such constitutional treatment strengthens immunity and restores overall bodily balance, serving as a fundamental solution to prevent Bartholin cyst recurrence. Especially during pregnancy, the emphasis is on minimizing unnecessary medical interventions while helping the body recover safely and assisting in a healthy childbirth. ### Are You Also at Risk? Bartholin Cyst Self-Checklist Check if any of the following questions apply to you: * ( ) Do you feel a lump or mass around your vaginal entrance? * ( ) Is there discomfort or pain when sitting or walking due to the lump? * ( ) Do you feel pain during sexual intercourse? * ( ) Has the area around the lump become swollen and red? * ( ) Does the lump seem to be growing larger or hardening? * ( ) Do you experience systemic symptoms such as fever or chills? * ( ) Have you experienced a similar lump previously that disappeared on its own or was treated? * ( ) Have you been under high stress or extremely fatigued due to overwork recently? **Criteria:** * **1-2 items applicable:** May be early symptoms of a Bartholin cyst. Maintain hygiene with sitz baths and observe progress. * **3+ items applicable:** Bartholin cyst or abscess can be suspected. If you have pain, fever, or increased size, we recommend visiting Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic for accurate diagnosis and treatment. * **5+ items applicable:** Immediate visit is required. Prompt medical care is especially important during pregnancy. --- **Q. Can Bartholin cysts during pregnancy harm the fetus?** A. Most Bartholin cysts do not directly harm the fetus. However, if the cyst becomes infected and develops into an abscess, the mother's pain intensifies and, rarely, can lead to systemic infection, requiring appropriate treatment. **Q. Can Bartholin cysts be treated without surgery?** A. Small, asymptomatic Bartholin cysts can resolve or disappear naturally with conservative management like sitz baths or warm compresses. If infection is not severe, Korean medicine treatment can improve bodily immunity and circulation, helping the cyst absorb naturally and preventing recurrence. **Q. Why do Bartholin cysts keep recurring?** A. They tend to recur if the root cause blocking the Bartholin gland duct is not resolved or if immunity weakens. Especially since simple procedures draining accumulated fluid alone may have high recurrence rates, raising body resistance through fundamental constitutional improvement is crucial. **Q. Is Korean medicine treatment safe during pregnancy?** A. Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic Songdo Branch prioritizes the safety of mother and fetus during pregnancy by carefully selecting herbal medicines and adjusting dosage. We focus on medicinal herbs safe for use during pregnancy, and all treatments like acupuncture are safely performed by experienced Korean medicine doctors so you can receive care with peace of mind. --- Feeling anxious and perplexed when a lump appears during pregnancy is natural. Enduring and struggling alone only exhausts your body and mind. You no longer need to ignore the body's signals you've sent for a long time. Approaching in the right direction makes the body react faster than you think. Bring the symptoms you are experiencing as they are. Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic will find the cause together with you. Where life blossoms. Herbal medicine is Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic. Check your similar symptoms first with Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic website AI consultation! Medical Supervision | Women's & Pregnancy Care Standard, Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic Songdo Branch Korean Medicine Doctor Oh Hyunmin (Bartholin Cyst Column)