Pain near Bartholin Gland during Foreplay but not Intercourse

I've only had one sexual partner (my husband) and have never had any serious health issues.

For the first 4 years, nothing was wrong with our sex life. But when I first went to the gynecologist, he told me I had a bartholin gland cyst on the bottom left that would eventually cause problems. A year later, I began to have sharp pains when I became sexually aroused in that are, and I could notice a small bump. I also began to have issues producint lubricant. This pain only lasted during foreplay; I was able to have intercourse without any discomfort as long as I got through the initial pain.

During my next yearly check, I told him about it. He took a look and said it had a "bluish" hue to it. I told him about the pain, how it was only at the beginning and it was intense enough to stop sex, but he really didn't have an answer for me.

The next year, I again brought it up. He felt around and said that the cyst was gone. By that time, we pretty much stopped having sex because of the pain, so I wasn't sure if it still hurt. Come to find out, it did still hurt.

When I finally got in to see to the gynecologyst, my doctor had retired. I told my new one everything that was going on and everything my previous doctor said. She checked it all out, pressed on everything you could think of, and she couldn't find a trace of a bump and said everything looked healthy. I asked her if she knew what was going on, and she honestly had no answer. She said she would talk with her colleagues and call me back, but I haven't heard any communication with her, and when I try to call, I get the nurse's station's voicemail and get no reply back.

I'm tired of not having an answer. It hurts, and my husband now believes it's all in my head like I don't want to have sex and I'm making this up. If you have any notion, theory, a new idea I can bring up next time I'm there, or maybe a specialist I need to see for this, please let me know. Thank you for your help; I truly appreciate it.

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
I'm glad to see that you've found a friend!
There are many many questions that medicine has no answer for, and yours may be one of them.
Based on what you say, it is entirely possible that your Bartholins gland isn't functioning properly.  I would NOT recommend having it removed however.  Any type of surgery that you have in that area would probably make matters WORSE.
IF there are any serious problems (eg infection, etc ), they will become apparent -- usually swelling is an early sign.
In the mean time, you might want to invest in a lubricant such as Replens or Astroglide.
Hope this helps!
Dr B

[bypeep]

I have the exact same problem.  It all started about ten years ago when I had an abscessed Bartholin's Gland.  After that, I'd experience this weird, overwhelming, sharp cramping pain at the opening of my vagina ONLY during arousal.  It actually will go away at the onset of intercourse.  I too have a decrease in lubrication production.  I no longer have the cyst and don't get pain otherwise.  For me, it feels like an extreme constriction and sudden swelling.  My husband has a hard time inserting until it subsides, which is generally only a few seconds. But I will continue to get the pain throughout the entire arousal process up until penetration.  Putting pressure on the area seems to alleviate it.  My doctor has no answers for me and someones this pain stops me in my tracks, takes my breath away.  It's very strange that I only get it when I'm really starting to warm up too, LOL.  

[lsamo]

At least I know I'm not alone! I've looked everywhere for a long time for someone with these symptoms, and nothing! The pain for me is sharp like you said, and it used to help to put pressure on it (actually I think it was a mental thing, but still). I've learned to just suck it up and hope whatever it is doesn't burst or pop or get stuck hurting. After those painful few minutes, I'm good to go... but it does take a lot longer than it used to.

[lsamo]

Thank you for responding. It is frustrating not knowing exactly why it's doing what it's doing, but I'm just glad I'm not alone. As long as it doesn't get worse, I will keep dealing with it. I guess if that's the only thing physically wrong with me, I should be pretty thankful. Thank you both.