> Mom has a 2 week old baby, doing fine bf'ing. Several days ago mom was
> diagnosed with a Bartholin cyst (on labia) and has been put on premarin
> cream to be applied topically to the cyst and cleocin to be used
> intravaginally. She is also on keflex for a UTI (dosage increased when
> cyst appeared). Mom is to use the 2 other meds for 3 days to see if the
> cyst will go away. If not the doc will drain it. Mom says doctor says
> that even with draining the cyst might come back because the cyst is
> affected by estrogen levels and hers are "so low from breastfeeding."
> Now mom is questioning whether she should continue breastfeeding. My
> first reaction, and that of my colleague, is that the doctor is
> "sacrificing breastfeeding on the altar of ignorance". Please let us
> know if what the doctor says is true. And can you give us any references
> for info on Bartholin cysts?
>
> Thank you,
> Pat Bucknell, IBCLC
> Avon Lake OH
Hello Patricia and Listmates,
I don't quite understand what reasoning this physician is using re: low
estrogen levels affecting a Bartholin cyst. Consider this- the function of
the Bartholin's glands are lubrication, especially during coitus. They
secrete small amounts of a clear viscous mucus with an alkaline pH that is
supportive of sperm. I would think that the drier it was and the less it
produced, the better off her bartholinitis would be.
Bartholinitis is usually caused by a gonococcal infection, though not
always. I have seen a handful treated on L & D in pregnant moms. Our OBs
will administer a local anesthetic, incise and drain the cyst, culture the
drainage and insert a Word catheter (a tiny catheter, probably named after
some person named Word?) that stays in for a few days to facilitate
drainage. They'll start her on a 10-14 day course of antibiotics and have
frequent follow-up with her.
Now, I'm not a surgeon. My opinion, however, is that he is dilly-dallying
around with the topical stuff. If he had a big knot, you know where, he'd
want some quicker treatment too than "Try this cream and let's see how it
does". It's now got a chance to get even worse since it isn't being
drained. Think of it as a large boil. How do you treat a boil? You
incise it! The relief these women feel once it is drained is
extraordinary-they are painful!
What does all of this have to do with BF? The low estrogen levels
associated with BF, IMO, are not going to make this a recurrent problem.
Bartholinitis can become a chronic problem , even in non BF moms. I think
he's off for blaming this (once again) on BF.
Maurenne Griese, RNC, BSN, CCE, CBE
Manhattan, KS USA
[log in to unmask]
http://www.networksplus.net/griese
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