Home Remedies for Vaginal Cysts

A vaginal cyst is a lump of fluid or semi-solid tissue that can develop along the walls of the vagina, usually near the opening of the vagina. They can range in size from as small as a pea to as large as an orange.

Vaginal cysts usually form when a gland or duct becomes clogged, causing liquid or another material to collect inside.

There are four different types of vaginal cysts.

• Inclusion cysts are usually very small and located in the lower back of the vaginal wall.
• Bartholin’s gland cysts are fluid-filled cysts that form on one of the Bartholin’s glands.
• Gartner’s duct cysts develop when ducts in a developing embryo don’t disappear as they are supposed to after the delivery of a baby.
• Mullerian cysts develop from structures left behind when a baby develops.

A vaginal cyst is rarely cancerous and, in many cases, it does not even cause any discomfort. Most often, cysts are discovered during a routine pelvic examination.

In most cases of vaginal cysts, treatment is unnecessary. Treatment is usually needed if you experience discomfort or pain due to the size of the cyst or if there is infection. In such a scenario, one can have symptoms like a soft lump in the vaginal wall, a protrusion from the vagina, discomfort during intercourse and difficulty inserting tampons.

To treat vaginal cysts, there are many simple and effective home remedies. These remedies also help fight any infection as well as promote healing.

Here are the top 10 home remedies for vaginal cysts.

1. Sitz Bath

Taking a sitz bath is beneficial for reducing the discomforts of vaginal cysts. It can help alleviate irritation and encourage healing by promoting drainage of the cyst.

Plus, sitz baths help keep the area clean and reduce the risk of an infection.

1. Partially fill a bathtub with warm water.
2. Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt into the water.
3. Soak just your genital area for about 15 minutes at a time or until the water loses its heat.
4. Pat dry gently afterward.
5. Take a sitz bath 2 or 3 times a day for a week.

You can also buy a sitz bath kit that you can put over your toilet seat to make soaking easier.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

Another effective and easy remedy for vaginal cysts is apple cider vinegar. The acidic nature of apple cider vinegar can help reduce the size and swelling of vaginal cysts.

As apple cider vinegar helps maintain the pH level of the vagina, it further reduces the risk of infection and even prevents the development of more cysts.

• Mix 2 teaspoons of organic, raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar in ½ cup of warm water. Soak a cotton ball in this solution and place it directly over the cyst for 1 minute. Repeat 3 or 4 times daily for a few days. Or, you can leave in place for 20 to 30 minutes, once daily until the cyst softens. If you can bear it, then you can mix equal quantities of apple cider vinegar and water and use this solution instead. To help soothe the area, you can then apply coconut oil on the cyst.
• Alternatively, pour 1 cup of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar into a bathtub filled with warm water. Soak your lower body in the water for 15 minutes. Do it 2 or 3 times a day.
• Also, add 1 teaspoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to a glass of warm water and drink it twice daily to promote healing from within.

3. Warm Compress

Applying a warm compress to a cyst is another easy and effective way to soften it and encourage draining, which in turn helps in the healing process.

A warm compress also helps kill bacteria to reduce the risk of infection and it fights inflammation.

1. Soak a washcloth in hot water and wring out the excess water.
2. Hold the warm cloth on the affected area for a few minutes.
3. Repeat 3 or 4 times a day until the fluid starts draining out of the cyst.

Caution: Take care not to burn the delicate tissue in the vaginal area.

4. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil can really help with the pain and inflammation associated with vaginal cysts. It is particularly good for treating bartholin cysts.

Not only the pain, tea tree oil also helps get rid of harmful bacteria in the vaginal area and thus reduces the risk of an infection. In fact, it helps drain the cyst within 1 or 2 days.

• Mix 2 or 3 drops of 100% tea tree oil in 2 teaspoons of coconut oil. Using a cotton ball, apply this oil on the cyst. Leave it for 20 minutes, then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Use this remedy once or twice a day or as needed.
• Also, add 3 to 5 drops of tea tree oil to a cup of water. Use this solution to rinse the affected area a few times daily.

5. Turmeric

Turmeric also works great for treating vaginal cysts. The compound curcumin in turmeric works as an anti-inflammatory agent that helps fight pain and inflammation.

In addition, turmeric is a natural antiseptic, which means it can help prevent and treat any infection.

• Mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric power and a little coconut oil to make a paste. Apply the paste over the cyst and allow it to sit for a couple of hours. Rinse the area with lukewarm water. Repeat again until the cyst bursts.
• Also, drink a glass of hot milk with 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder mixed in it to promote healing and control pain.

Be careful when applying turmeric paste, as it can cause yellowish stains on fabric and skin.

6. Garlic

Garlic is another effective home remedy for any kind of vaginal cysts, mainly due to its potent antibiotic properties. It helps kill the bacteria present around the cysts, which reduces the risk of an infection.

When ingested, garlic also helps boost the immune system to help fight infections and promote healing.

• Apply a little bit of crushed garlic on the cyst for 2 minutes. Rinse it off well with lukewarm water. You can follow up with application of coconut oil to reduce the stinging garlic might have caused. Do it 1 or 2 times a day.
• Also, you can eat 1 crushed garlic clove 2 or 3 times a day, followed by a glass of water, to boost your immunity.

7. Aspirin

You can also use aspirin to cause the cyst to drain. Its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties help deal with the pain and inflammation as well as reduce the risk of infection.

1. Crush a few aspirin tablets to powder form.
2. Mix in a little water to form a paste. Instead of water, you can also use castor oil (the oil will also help reduce inflammation and aid healing).
3. Apply this paste on the vaginal cyst.
4. Leave it on for 5 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water.
5. Do this once or twice a day.

8. Aloe Vera

To treat vaginal cysts, aloe vera is very effective.

It has healing and anti-inflammatory properties that help in the healing process and reduces inflammation.

• Extract fresh aloe vera gel from an aloe plant leaf and apply it directly on the cyst. Allow it to sit for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat 3 or 4 times a day.
• Alternatively, mix 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel with ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder. Stir until the mixture forms a paste. Apply the mixture on the cyst. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Do it once a day.

9. Yogurt

Another good ingredient that can be used to treat vaginal cysts is yogurt.

Being rich in lactobacillus bacteria, Greek yogurt helps restore the normal vaginal pH level. This inhibits activity of infectious organisms that can cause an infection, which would make the condition worse and delay the healing process.

Also, it reduces vaginal odor.

• Soak a cotton ball in plain yogurt and apply it on the affected area. Leave it on for a few hours, then rinse the area thoroughly. Do it 2 or 3 times a day.
• Also, you can eat 1 to 2 cups of yogurt daily.

10. Sepia

A time-tested remedy for vaginal cysts is sepia. Sepia is made from the dark, brownish-gray pigment obtained from the ink sac of the cuttlefish.

Sepia is an effective remedy for fighting inflammation and pain associated with vaginal cysts. It can also be used to prevent development of additional cysts.

It is readily available in homeopathic clinics in pellets or liquid form. For the correct dosage, consult your doctor.

Additional Tips

• To prevent vaginal cysts, ask your partner to be gentle during sex.
• Do not squeeze, scratch or puncture a cyst. Allow it to drain on its own to reduce the risk of infection.
• Keep the area clean by washing it regularly with a medicated V-wash.
• Never douche, as it can irritate the cyst.
• If a cyst is painful, consider using a sanitary napkin instead of a tampon during your periods.
• Maintain good hygiene habits to prevent infection of a cyst and the formation of an abscess.
• To treat an infected vaginal cyst, you may need to take antibiotics.
• You can opt for surgery to remove the cyst, if there is lot of discomfort or the cyst keeps returning.
• Increasing your vitamin A, vitamin B and zinc intake helps promote healing of the skin tissues.
• If recommended by your doctor, get a biopsy done to rule out the possibility of cancer.