Brief Answer:
Please attach clear images; Bartholin's cyst or simple cyst

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I would first like to request you to attach a clear image of the affected region for my examination, so I could both view its features as well as its exact location. But if you are not comfortable doing so, then I completely understand, just that the image would help for a more accurate diagnosis.

With the current information at hand, I suspect the following two conditions:

1. Bartholin's cyst: Is a common obstruction of glands called the Bartholin's glands that function to secrete fluid, which is used to keep the vagina well lubricated. They are located near the vaginal opening mostly on one side, around the middle portion of one vaginal lip

2. Simple cyst

Both these conditions are simple and not complicated, and most certainly not associated with cancer in any possible way. But a visual examination along with a physical examination/consultation will help form a more concrete and accurate diagnosis.

I hope you find my response helpful. Please do not hesitate to write back to me for any further assistance, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.

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Brief Answer:
Look for attach image, or email them to me

Detailed Answer:
Hi ma'am.

I am not sure what the page shows you, as I am being shown a totally different mode of the site being a care-giver; but there should be an option somewhere to attach the image. Or you could also email the images to:

YYYY@YYYY

Please mention 'ATTN: Dr. Shoaib Khan' in the subject line so it can be directed to me.

Looking forward to hearing from you in order to help you further.

Best wishes.

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Brief Answer:
A few suggestions, previous diagnoses ruled out due to location

Detailed Answer:
Hi ma'am.

I have viewed the attached image, and it looks like it is not on the vaginal lip, but between the anal opening and the vaginal entrance, in the region of the perineum. This location annuls the possibility of it being a cyst altogether, and is most probably just another skin tag or a something else which may require a skin biopsy. I would also like to add an STD-panel to the array of investigations that should be ordered, as some skin tags growing in and around this region can be due to a few sexually transmitted diseases as well.

Such growths cannot be diagnosed without a biopsy, but it is most probably something benign and shouldn't be anything serious. Please do request your doctor for a skin biopsy for a more rapid and accurate diagnosis. Please also do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.

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Brief Answer:
An open discussion with you, and your thoughts would be appreciated

Detailed Answer:
Hi ma'am.

If it were just a skin tag, the dull pain should be unlikely. Your husband could also have been a carrier which is why he never experienced any symptoms himself.

It could also just be a simple growth, abscess or cyst which is why you seem to be experiencing the discomfort. If this is the case, some of them are self-resolving whereas others require a minor surgical procedure to be removed.

Once removed, they should not recur unless there is some underlying cause (e.g. STD's).

I understand your concern, which is why I recommended an STD-panel even earlier, so we can rest assured that this has nothing to do with any STD's. Once we rule them out, we can assume more simple and less complicated causes which should not raise concern if at all new ones do appear in the future. Your thoughts ma'am?

Best wishes.

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Brief Answer:
Carriers need not have symptoms

Detailed Answer:
Hi ma'am.

That is what I was trying to explain. Carriers can have the infection and not display any symptoms whatsoever. So your husband may be a carrier, and so it would just be wise to rule out STD's; so we can then explore our other options.

Also, while at the doctors request for a biopsy which would also help to diagnose the cause more accurately.

Best wishes.

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Brief Answer:
Then let us go ahead with a biopsy of the region, your thoughts?

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.

If you are so confident about it not being an STD, then I trust you and it is completely unto you whether you want to go about the STD-panel test or not. But I would either way recommend a biopsy of the region to help confirm the cause and the type of cells growing in that region.

A biopsy would be the most appropriate investigation at this juncture, what are your thoughts ma'am?

Best wishes.

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Brief Answer:
HPV, syphilis, etc.

Detailed Answer:
Hi ma'am.

Conditions like HPV (human papillomavirus), syphilis, etc; can cause a presentation similar to yours. But I would of course like to emphasise on the fact that the lump can be perfectly harmless or even just a developing skin tag, or as a result from friction, etc.

But being a doctor, I need to make sure the worst is ruled out before we can assume to less harmful causes. I hope you understand why I kept asking for the STD-panel.

Best wishes.

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Brief Answer:
You can never be a bother to me ma'am

Detailed Answer:
Hi ma'am.

Please do not apologise, I am here to help you and I shall do so for as long as you want. No ma'am, I did not think it was herpes as it does not present in such a manner and yes, the symptoms of herpes do fluctuate.

Please do not hesitate to write back to me for any clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.

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