Bartholin's Cysts are infectious lumps that can occur if the Bartholin's glands get clogged up. The opening of these glands are located on either side of the vagina. Both sexually transmitted diseases and non-STDs can cause swelling that leads to this abscess. The photo shows yellow pus being expressed from a woman with an infected Bartholin's gland. The swollen gland is very tender and warm to touch.
Treatment is with antibiotics and often requires an incision to allow the infected gland to drain.
Any non-healing area around the vagina or vulva must to be checked by a doctor to be sure it is not cancerous. Again, many of the STDs cause infection and damage to the internal organs. Much more information on this and other causes of pelvic inflammatory disease is in our STD online guide. The entrance to the uterus from the vagina is called the cervix, and is considered a part of the uterus. A pap smear must be done regularly in woman 18 and older, or whenever sexual relations start.