A small lump near the urethra? Don't worry, it could be a Skene's Gland Cyst!

Have you ever felt a small lump or bump in your private area, near the urethra? It's normal to feel a little scared or worried when you see or feel something like that. "What is this? Is it dangerous? Is it cancer?" Many questions come to mind. But don't worry. Most of the time, these things are not dangerous. Today we are going to talk about a condition that you may experience at such a time, but it is not very common. That is called Skene's gland cyst.

Simply put, what is Skene's Gland Cyst?

Okay, let's explain this simply. On either side of our urethra are two small glands called Skene's glands. Their main function is to produce lubrication during sexual intercourse and to keep the urethra moist. Sometimes, the ducts through which the secretions come out of these glands can become blocked for various reasons. When this happens, the secretions cannot flow out and accumulate inside the gland, forming a small sac-like, fluid-filled cyst. That's what we call a Skene's gland cyst .

These are also called paraurethral cysts. They are very rarely seen even in newborn babies.

What are the symptoms if you have this?

Most of the time, there may be no symptoms at all. However, if the tumor gets larger or becomes infected, you may experience these symptoms.

How big can these nuts get?

Most of the time, these cysts are very small. About the size of a pea (less than 1 cm) . However, very rarely, they can be much larger. There have been reports of cysts as large as the width of a soda can (7-8 cm), but this is very rare.

Why does a tumor like this form?

Doctors still haven't found the exact reason why this happens to a newborn baby.

But the main reason why this happens to an adult woman is the blockage of the Skene's gland duct that we talked about earlier. There are two main reasons why this duct becomes blocked:

• Bacterial infections: A bacterial infection can cause the gland and duct to swell and become blocked.
• Inflammation: This duct can also become blocked due to inflammatory conditions caused by other causes.

Can this cause other complications?

Very rarely, bacteria can enter this lump and become infected, forming an abscess . If this happens, symptoms such as pain, swelling, and fever may occur. In such cases, the infection may be controlled with antibiotics and some of the pus may need to be removed surgically.

Doctor, how do you find out if you have this?

If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, be sure to see your doctor . Most of the time, your doctor can diagnose this by asking you about your symptoms and performing a pelvic examination .

However, it can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference between a Skene's gland cyst and another condition called a urethral diverticulum , which is a pouch-like condition that forms near the urethra, because the symptoms of both are very similar.

In such cases, the doctor may recommend the following tests to confirm the diagnosis:

• Ultrasound scan
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan

What are the treatments for this?

Whether or not you treat this depends on whether you have symptoms or not.

• If there are no symptoms: If you have no pain or discomfort, and the tumor is very small, your doctor will often recommend that you watch and wait for a while without any treatment. Especially if it is a newborn baby, it often gets better on its own without any treatment.
• If you have symptoms: If you have pain, difficulty urinating, etc., you may need to have surgery to remove the tumor. There are two main methods for this.

1. Therapeutic fine-needle aspiration: This involves using a very fine needle to completely remove the fluid inside the cyst.

2. Marsupialization: This is a slightly more complicated procedure. What is done here is to make a small incision on the cyst, fold the two edges of the incision inward, and stitch it so that it does not close again. Then, since it is always open, the secretions continue to flow out without accumulating. Over time, the cyst will disappear on its own.

Your doctor will decide which treatment method is best for you.

Can something like this be prevented from happening?

There is currently no way to prevent babies from developing this condition. However, as an adult, you can reduce your risk by protecting yourself from bacterial infections, which are a major cause of these cysts.

• Practice safe sex: Using safe methods such as condoms can prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Take care of personal hygiene:
• Use only an unscented, mild soap and water to clean your vaginal area.
• Avoid scented tampons, toilet paper, soaps, and tight-fitting underwear made of synthetic fabrics. These can irritate the vaginal area.
• Avoid douching the vagina for any reason. This is not only unnecessary, but it also destroys the natural good bacteria in the vagina, increasing the risk of infection.

When should you see a doctor?

You should definitely see a doctor in a situation like this:

• If you have pain or difficulty urinating.
• If there is pain during sexual intercourse.
• If you notice a new lump or tumor in your private area.
• If you notice a lump near your little one's urethra, or if your baby's urine seems to be dribbling to the side instead of flowing in a straight stream.

The difference between a Skene's Gland Cyst and other cysts

Not all cysts that develop in the vaginal area are Skene's gland cysts. This table will help you understand the difference between them.

Finally, if you notice any changes, lumps, or pain in your body, especially in a sensitive area like this, don't ignore it. It's your body's way of telling you something. See your doctor right away for advice. Even if it's a Skene's gland cyst, it can be completely cured with treatment, and it's very rare for them to recur. So don't panic.

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