In urological practice, there is such a disease as a paraurethral cyst. The disease is based on blockage of the glands located near the urethra in women. This pathology is extremely rare. That is why the disease often raises many questions both in the diagnosis and in the methods of dealing with it.
Description of the disease
To understand what a paraurethral cyst is, it is necessary to consider the anatomy of the female body. The urethra (urethra) is surrounded by many glands. They are called paraurethral. In medical practice, they are often referred to as Skene's glands, after the name of the scientist who described them in detail.
They have a grape-like shape. They are similar in structure to the male prostate. Numerous sinuses, ducts form an extensive network of tubular channels. They surround the urethra on the side and back walls. The ducts of the glands are completely emptied into the urethra. Secret,which they produce protects the urethra from pathogenic microorganisms. In addition, it acts as a barrier to sexual contact.
Skin's glands undergo some changes in the course of life. During pregnancy, they increase to a maximum size. After childbirth, they undergo involution. Menopause is characterized by their atrophy. That is why the cyst is most often observed in women of childbearing age.
Sometimes the gland's outlet becomes clogged. In this case, the secret accumulates in them, and does not go into the urethra. This is how a paraurethral cyst is formed. This formation is a small round seal. It is quite elastic to the touch. Most often, the cyst is localized near the exit of the urethra, near the surface of the skin. However, there are cases when the formation was found in the deep layers.
Causes of illness
There are many known sources of paraurethral cyst formation in women.
The development of pathology may be based on:
- inflammatory diseases of the urethra;
- birth trauma caused by episiotomy (perineal incision);
- bruises, various injuries of the urethra;
- microtrauma of the urethra provoked by rough intercourse;
- chronic pathologies that provoke a decrease in immunity;
- injuries during labor;
- diabetes mellitus;
- some intimate hygiene products;
- sexually transmitted infections.
Characteristic symptoms
Pathology can be completely asymptomatic. This is observed if a small paraurethral cyst is diagnosed. Symptoms of large formations are more pronounced, and cause severe discomfort to women.
The most common complaints about the following phenomena:
- swelling in the area of cyst formation;
- dysuria;
- various urinary disorders;
- discomfort when walking, intercourse;
- urinary incontinence;
- pain when urinating, sometimes pain;
- swelling of the urethra;
- hematuria (blood in the urine);
- burning sensation, pain in the area of education;
- urinary incontinence;
- feeling of fullness in the area of the cyst;
- urine stream weakens;
- feeling of a foreign body in the area of the urethra;
- high sensitivity of the paraurethral zone caused by induration;
- infectious processes in the area of the cyst, which can provoke suppuration;
- urethral diverticulum formation;
- presence of secretions (mucous or purulent);
- changes in cysts (hyperplastic, neoplastic);
- formation of a malignant tumor (extremely rare).
If the above-described discomfort in the urethra in women is observed, then you should know that regression and self-resorption for the disease is uncharacteristic. Therefore, it is necessarySeek medical attention.
Disease classification
Two forms are characteristic of pathology:
- Skin cysts. They are formed due to blockage of the glands, localized in the area of the urethra. In appearance, they resemble a bag.
- Cysts of Gartner's passage. Such formations are formed as a result of abnormal development of the genitourinary system. Their appearance is based on the fusion of the vaginal wall and the urethra. This leads to the accumulation of a secret, against which a cyst develops.
Regardless of the form of the disease, education cannot resolve itself. Doctors say that a long stay of a cyst near the urethra is quite dangerous. Pathology can lead to the development of inflammation or suppuration. It should not be forgotten that the paraurethral cyst is a favorable environment in which stagnant urine accumulates. Of course, against the background of such a clinic, bacteria multiply. The inflammatory process can provoke an abscess. And it is extremely unpleasant if the cyst burst. In this case, the purulent contents open into the urethra and diverticulitis develops.
Stages of progression
Doctors distinguish several degrees of development of the disease:
- The first stage. glands become infected. As a result, disorders in the genitourinary system begin to develop. Sometimes they are asymptomatic. But most often it is at this stage that the first discomfort may appear in the urethra inwomen. As a rule, patients complain of discharge, pain when urinating.
- Second stage. The cyst begins to grow in size. The above signs of the disease are accompanied by pain in the pelvic area, discomfort during intercourse. Foci of chronic inflammation may be present around the formations.
Diagnostic Methods
If there is an unpleasant discomfort in the pelvic area, you should immediately go to the gynecologist. The doctor will conduct an examination, and if he finds a pathology, then you will be recommended to contact a urologist.
But be prepared for the fact that any urological clinic will offer to undergo examinations to confirm the diagnosis, such as:
- urinalysis;
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs;
- urine culture (bacteriological);
- MRI;
- urine cytology;
- uroflowmetry;
- urethral swab;
- urethrocystoscopy.
Treatment of disease
The cyst is unable to shrink on its own. Medical treatment will not provide this either. And at the same time, it should be remembered that education is quite dangerous. After all, at any moment suppuration can begin. And, of course, it is absolutely not advisable to wait until the cyst bursts.
Considering all of the above, it should be strictly understood that with such an education, it is necessary to immediately contact a competent specialist. Clearly understand: the only method of dealing with a paraurethal cyst is surgicalintervention. It is impossible to treat the disease in other ways.
The operation involves little intervention. During it, the cyst is removed, its walls are carefully excised. After a few days, the postoperative wound heals. Patients who have undergone this intervention are advised to refrain from sexual activity for 2 months.
Regardless of which urological clinic is chosen, only surgery is undertaken to remove the cyst. Unfortunately, electrocoagulation, various punctures, laser treatment do not allow to achieve complete healing. Such methods only temporarily relieve the patient of unpleasant symptoms.
In the presence of infection or inflammation, the patient is prescribed medication before and after the operation.
Possible consequences
It must be said that a paraurethral cyst can lead to extremely negative complications even after surgery.
The likelihood of negative consequences depends entirely on the formation itself, its size, the presence of infectious and inflammatory processes, and the location.
Unpleasant complications resulting from the operation can be:
- recurrent infection;
- painful urethral syndrome;
- hematoma;
- bleeding;
- cyst recurrence;
- urethral stricture (such narrowing is accompanied by inflammation);
- urethro- and vesicovaginal fistulas.
Disease prevention
Of course, we should not forget about those measures that allow us to avoid the occurrence of pathology. It is much easier to prevent cystic formation than to deal with it later.
Doctors recommend the following prophylaxis:
- timely treatment of inflammation of the urethra, genitals, bladder;
- getting rid of sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis, trichomoniasis);
- compliance with hygiene rules;
- use only natural underwear;
- prophylactic examinations at the urologist and gynecologist.
Timely access to specialists will make it much easier and faster to transfer surgery. Therefore, if you have unpleasant symptoms, you should not postpone a visit to the doctor. Remember, the faster you get rid of the pathology, the higher the chances of avoiding the development of unpleasant consequences.
