His and Her Health

Has anyone had this proceedure? or know of any drs in the US that perform it? Here is the link to the proceedure.

vulvodynia.com.au/articles/015.html]www.vulvodynia.com.au/articles/015.html[/URL]

Thanks!
artie
suffering for 7+ yrs, recently dx

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(I am adding this just to make sure I have it posted in the correct area)

Dr. Goldstein,

You stated that the removal of the Bartholin's Glands is a much bloodier and more invasive, but the article I read stated that "Because Bartholins� glands removal is done by a very precise microsurgical technique, surgery has a very low morbidity rate and produces little change in vulvar anatomy.". It would seem that if the incesion is so small there would be less scaring or bleeding.

Personally, since I have "deep lancinating pain radiating out of the Bartholin's fossa", it seems that surgery is my only option. And since I tend to scar up with keloid scars, I don't want to do surgery that would have large areas of incensions.

<small>[ 08-10-2008, 12:14 AM: Message edited by: Moderator ]</small>

Removal of the Bartholin gland can be easy and meticulous but it also can be very difficult depending on the anatomy and presence of scarring (from recurrent infections). I would consider a second opinion before having surgery. Even though the opening of the Bartholin gland is tender does not mean that the pain is from the gland itself. atrophic vestibulitis, vulvar vestibuliti syndrome, and pelvic floor dysfunction all can cause tenderness of the Bartholin gland ostia (opening).

I've been to the physical therapist and had a few weeks of biofeedback. My pelvic floor muscles are in good shape (though they are a little slow to relax) and I have never had a yeast infection. The q-tip test sends me off the table and I am bedridden for 2 days after a pelvic exam and I can no longer have sex. I have constant pain at the entrance. I was on diyflucan (sp) and topical cream, but got horrible sick off the medicine (vomiting, nausea, vertigo and headaches) and if I used the cream 2x a day I ended up wipping bright blood. I looked up Atrophic Vaginitis and I have none of the symptoms and I've had my hormone levels check and they are well within normal. I have never had a problem with dryness or thinning of the skin.

What else should I try before I start looking into surgery?

You should get a second opinion from a vulvar specialist. Bartholinitis should not give a positive Q-tip test.

I have VV. Much of the pain was at the Bartholin's glands. I had my Bartholin's glands removed along with a vestibulectomy in early November. The doctor who diagnosed me and recommended the procedure, Jessica Thomason, always removed the Bartholin's glands with all of her vestibulectomies; when she retired, she referred me to Barbara O'Connell (located in Madison, Wisconsin), who did my surgery. I did lose significantly more blood that with a standard vestibulectomy. However, the recovery was relatively easy. I am two months post-op and just now starting to use dilators, so can't give a final verdict. But, if you have questions you can e-mail me at *****

****Moderator's Note
Sorry but email addresses are not allowed in your post. You may put your address in your profile .

<small>[ 01-20-2006, 08:43 PM: Message edited by: Moderator ]</small>

JES, could you e-mail me? My address is in my profile, I looked at yours and didn't see it. I would like to ask you a few more questions regarding your surgery.

Thank!

Artie

Artie, I'm willing to talk to you but I didn't see your e-mail address in your profile. They won't let me post my e-mail address here.

<small>[ 01-23-2006, 10:29 PM: Message edited by: Moderator ]</small>

Artie, www.vulvodynia.com is a great resource, as you probably know. If you go to the most recent guestbook, and scroll down to the most recent posts, you'll see a post that has my e-mail address.

You can add your e-mail address to your profile by going to My Profile and click on preference then add e-mail address in homepage space.

Hi,

Around June or so of last year I developed the Bartholin cyst thing. I've gone and got it drained about 7 times already. January of this year I got a marsupilization (spelling?) I hadn't got one back until about 3 days ago. It came and ruptured and passed. Knowing my body I'm sure it's going to be coming back. The doctor suggested awhile back that we try removing it if this (marsuplization) doesn't work.

I'm really concerned because I'm 20 years old. I've read it scars you (I already have a whole down there...) which I'm not totally worried about scarring i'm with a man that loves me either way. I'm just really worried with pain and intercourse. Is that really what's going to happen, that this stupid cyst is going to ruin my sex life the rest of my life?

Does that also mean, since I will have some scarring that I won't be able to deliver if I choose to have a baby a few years down the road?

You can email me or post on here, I just kind of want some answers from people who have experienced, this.

I'm trying to decide whether to just deal with the cysts when they come, or do the surgery.

I dunno, I'm really rather scared.

JES,

I also would like to speak with you about Bartholin gland removal but cannot locate your e-mail address in your profile? If possible, see if you can view my address in my profile and send me an e-mail. Very interested to talk with you. Thanks,
Dee

I have had 4 Bartholin cysts already. The last one just three weeks ago. I have talked to my doctor about surgery to have the gland removed but am really scared. How painful is this surgery, what are the long term effects? Will having this surgery create new problems of another sort? Will this create any sexual problems for me?

Please help.

Marianela