Nabothian Cyst Causes, Treatments & More
Article Sources
- 1. 'Nabothian Cyst: .' MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001514.htm.
- 2. 'Nabothian Cysts.' Harvard Health, Harvard Health Publishing , www.health.harvard.edu/a/to/z/nabothian-cysts-a-to-z.
- 3. 'Nabothian Cyst.' Nabothian Cyst , Mount Sinai Health System, www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/nabothian-cyst.
- 4. 'Vaginal Atrophy.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2 May 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vaginal-atrophy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352288.
- 5. RD;, Pelosi MA;Pelosi MA;Rudelli. 'Symptomatic Cervical Macrocyst as a Late Complication of Subtotal Hysterectomy. A Case Report.' The Journal of Reproductive Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10394555.
- 6. 'Vaginal Atrophy.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2 May 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vaginal-atrophy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352288.
- 7. 'Cervical Cancer.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 31 July 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cervical-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352501.
- 8. 'Cervical Cysts: Can They Be Cancerous?' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 28 Jan. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/cervical-cysts/expert-answers/faq.
- 9. 'Nabothian Cysts.' Sifaka.cs.uiuc.edu, University of Illinois , sifaka.cs.uiuc.edu/~yuelu2/opinionintegration/health/Nabothian/cyst.html.
- 10. 'Electrocauterization.' MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, U.S. National Library of Medicine, medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002359.htm.
- 11. 'Cryotherapy: Uses, Procedure, Risks & Benefits.' Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21099-cryotherapy.
A woman's cervix is the lowest portion of their uterus and serves the purpose of protecting the uterus from bacteria. Typically, the cervix is about one inch long. The cervix changes position and texture throughout a woman's cycle to prepare for a potential pregnancy.
Additionally, the cervix consists of glands responsible for releasing fluid that changes based on an individual's monthly cycle.1‘Nabothian Cyst: .’ MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001514.htm. However, if new tissue grows on the cervix, it will block the glands from releasing mucus. As a result, the mucus builds up and clogs the gland, causing a cyst to form known as a Nabothian cyst.2‘Nabothian Cysts.’ Harvard Health, Harvard Health Publishing , www.health.harvard.edu/a/to/z/nabothian-cysts-a-to-z.
1. Nabothian Cyst Description
A Nabothian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms on a cervix. Individuals may feel a lump on their cervix when one develops. Generally, the cyst is between two and 10 millimeters in diameter. It doesn't tend to cause any symptoms. Larger cysts could become bothersome, though.2‘Nabothian Cysts.’ Harvard Health, Harvard Health Publishing , www.health.harvard.edu/a/to/z/nabothian-cysts-a-to-z.
A Nabothian cyst's color depends on the mucus inside of it. Therefore, the cyst could appear a pale yellow color or even have a more amber tone. Some are white. In some cases, people may develop more than one cyst at a time.3‘Nabothian Cyst.’ Nabothian Cyst , Mount Sinai Health System, www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/nabothian-cyst.
2. Nabothian Cysts After Childbirth
Nabothian cysts most often form after giving birth. This is because new cells may form on the cervix after childbirth. Sometimes, the new cells form over top of the mucus glands on the cervix.
In some cases, an excess amount of cells form on the cervix after birth. Ultimately, this makes a woman more prone to developing a Nabothian cyst since an abnormal amount of cells form, and there's a greater potential for blockage.2‘Nabothian Cysts.’ Harvard Health, Harvard Health Publishing , www.health.harvard.edu/a/to/z/nabothian-cysts-a-to-z.
3. Nabothian Cysts After Menopause
People might develop one or more Nabothian cysts after they go through menopause. This time in a woman's life comes with reproductive system changes like cervical thinning, meaning thinner cervical tissue. The tissue thinning occurs as a result of a decrease in estrogen production. The process is known as vaginal atrophy.4‘Vaginal Atrophy.’ Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2 May 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vaginal-atrophy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352288.
The thinning of the tissue allows the glands to clog easier and cause a cyst. People with a cervix are at more risk of cyst development after a subtotal hysterectomy as well.5RD;, Pelosi MA;Pelosi MA;Rudelli. ‘Symptomatic Cervical Macrocyst as a Late Complication of Subtotal Hysterectomy. A Case Report.’ The Journal of Reproductive Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10394555.
4. Nabothian Cysts & Chronic Cervicitis
Chronic cervicitis is a less common cause of a Nabothian cyst. Cervicitis means chronic inflammation of the cervix. It may stem from a sexually transmitted disease, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. Individuals could also develop chronic cervical inflammation from bacteria overgrowth not caused by a sexually transmitted disease.6‘Vaginal Atrophy.’ Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2 May 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vaginal-atrophy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352288.
Chronic cervicitis may cause pain during urination and an increase in cervical discharge.6‘Vaginal Atrophy.’ Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2 May 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vaginal-atrophy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352288. It could also lead to Nabothian cyst forming.2‘Nabothian Cysts.’ Harvard Health, Harvard Health Publishing , www.health.harvard.edu/a/to/z/nabothian-cysts-a-to-z.
5. Nabothian Cysts & Cancer
A lump on the cervix can be concerning. Cervical cancer forms when cells mutate and eventually form malignant tumors. However, a Nabothian cyst has nothing to do with cellular mutation.7‘Cervical Cancer.’ Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 31 July 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cervical-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352501.
Nabothian cysts are noncancerous and unlikely to become cancerous later.8‘Cervical Cysts: Can They Be Cancerous?’ Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 28 Jan. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/cervical-cysts/expert-answers/faq. Researchers aren't sure what causes cervical cancer, but it appears that the human papillomavirus (HPV) plays an important role. Smoking tends to increase cancer risk as well, not cysts.7‘Cervical Cancer.’ Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 31 July 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cervical-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352501.
6. Complications
Once a person has a Nabothian cyst, it won't go away on its own. In fact, in some cases, the cyst will increase in size over time. Generally, though, it doesn't cause any complications for people. The only time it does cause complications is if it grows to be a larger than average size.
Ultimately, doctors and patients should decide if they would like to remove the cyst, which may only be necessary if it's causing symptoms due to increased size.9‘Nabothian Cysts.’ Sifaka.cs.uiuc.edu, University of Illinois , sifaka.cs.uiuc.edu/~yuelu2/opinionintegration/health/Nabothian/cyst.html.
7. Detection
Typically, people won't need a gynecologist appointment to detect a Nabothian cyst since it doesn't cause issues.9‘Nabothian Cysts.’ Sifaka.cs.uiuc.edu, University of Illinois , sifaka.cs.uiuc.edu/~yuelu2/opinionintegration/health/Nabothian/cyst.html. In most cases, people discover they have a Nabothian cyst during a routine pelvic examination.
If a gynecologist discovers one, there's usually no need for further testing. In rare circumstances, a gynecologist will perform a colposcopy to evaluate the pateint's cervix. The doctor recommends this only if the cyst has an abnormal appearance or size.2‘Nabothian Cysts.’ Harvard Health, Harvard Health Publishing , www.health.harvard.edu/a/to/z/nabothian-cysts-a-to-z.
8. Prevention
Nabothian cysts are generally considered to be a normal occurrence for people who have a cervix. Since they rarely cause further medical problems, a person doesn't need to try to prevent them; and as of right now, there aren't any prevention techniques for most nabothian cyst causes.
However, cervicitis is avoidable. People can protect themselves from the condition and the associated risk of cyst development by practicing safer sex.2‘Nabothian Cysts.’ Harvard Health, Harvard Health Publishing , www.health.harvard.edu/a/to/z/nabothian-cysts-a-to-z.
9. Electrocautery for Removal
If a person chooses or requires cyst removal, the gynecologist may recommend electrocautery. This procedure uses electricity to create heat. The gynecologist then uses the heat to remove the cyst from the cervix.
Besides the probe that transports the electrical current, the practitioner will also use a grounding pad that connects to a part of the patient's body, such as their thigh. This pad prevents the electricity from harming the patient.11‘Cryotherapy: Uses, Procedure, Risks & Benefits.’ Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21099-cryotherapy.
10. Cryotherapy for Removal
Cryotherapy uses extreme cold to remove the cyst. A doctor uses cryotherapy for other purposes too, such as wart removal and prostate and cervical cancer treatment.
Generally, the practitioner will use argon gas or nitrogen to generate the cold necessary for this process. The cells that comprise the cyst can't withstand the cold and therefore won't survive the treatment. In most cases, this procedure requires little downtime and little discomfort.11‘Cryotherapy: Uses, Procedure, Risks & Benefits.’ Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21099-cryotherapy.
