Dorothy FarrarVestibulardrüse
The vestibular gland is part of the female genitalia and is important for protecting and moisturizing the mucous membranes of the vulva . Inflammation in this area can cause pain during sexual intercourse.
Definition
The vestibular gland (glandula vestibularis major) is named after the anatomist Caspar Bartholin. For this reason it is also known as Bartholin’s gland or Bartholin’s gland. The vestibular gland is one of the “accessory sex glands”. These are glands that occur alongside the so-called reproductive gonads.
These glands also include the small atrial glands or the paraurethral gland or Skene’s gland. With the help of the accessory sex glands, secretions are secreted and produced. The vestibular gland has the job of lubricating the vaginal opening and also plays an essential role in sexual intercourse.
Anatomy
The vestibular glands are about the size of a bean and are located on either side of the vaginal opening below the labia majora . The exits of the glands are embedded in the vulva’s erectile tissue and are only recognizable as very small openings.
In the normal state, the glandular bodies are neither palpable nor visible. Only through inflammation can the glands protrude. The gland ducts have a length of about 2 to 2.5 cm and lead the secretion to the exit of the glands. The Skene’s glands or the urethral outlet can be found above the vaginal entrance.
Function
The vestibular glands moisten the vaginal vestibule or the vaginal entrance. Especially with sexual arousal, more secretion is secreted, which subsequently reaches the opening of the vagina via the gland ducts. This process is called lubrication. Due to the moistening, it is possible that the penis can penetrate the vagina painlessly during sexual intercourse .
In addition, the secretion protects the mucous membrane of the vulva from possible injuries or tears. Since the milieu of the secretion is acidic, it is difficult for fungi and bacteria to penetrate and multiply, which also provides a certain protection against infection.
The production of the secretion begins with the onset of puberty and decreases again with increasing age, whereby the hormonal changes that take place in the female body are responsible for this. Much less Bartholin’s secretion is produced, especially during the menopause, which can sometimes lead to sexual problems.
However, these difficulties can be solved with the help of lubricating gels. The male counterpart to the vestibular gland is the so-called bulboureth gland, which is the size of a pea and opens into the urethra. The glandular secretion can also moisten the vagina and facilitate penetration.
Diseases
- Bartholinitis
Inflammation of the vestibular glands, known as bartholinitis, can occur due to infections with bacteria (e.g. staphylococci , chlamydia or E. coli bacteria) . The bacteria get into the vestibular gland via the entrance of the vagina and trigger the inflammation there.
In principle, all types of bacteria can cause inflammation. For example, bacteria can get to the gland due to poor hygiene, but transmission through sexual intercourse is also possible. Excessive hygiene can also be the trigger for Bartholinitis. In this case, the acidic environment that prevails in the vagina is disturbed by the constant use of care material that is not pH-neutral.
This disease occurs mostly in young women. Bartholinitis usually inflames the gland ducts, but it can also spread to the glands. As a result, there is swelling and redness in the region of the labia minora, and in particularly severe cases, purulent abscesses or cysts form.
Acute bartholinitis is very painful and the glands, which are usually the size of a bean, can become the size of a ping-pong ball. The reason for this is that the fluid that the glands produce cannot drain away due to the swelling at the gland exits.
Abscesses are collections of pus where trapped bacteria can multiply very easily. As a result, pathogens remain in the glands and bartholinitis can break out again and again. It is therefore necessary to always have a gynecological examination of an inflammation of the vestibular gland.
Mild forms of bartholinitis can be treated well with sitz baths. Normally, however, antibiotics are administered, and if cysts form, surgery is sometimes necessary to open the drainage channels.
During a surgical procedure, the abscess is cut open and the walls are sutured to the surrounding area. The abscess cavity remains open and can dry out. This form of treatment is also known as marsupialization. Depending on the germ, the partner should also be treated with antibiotics.
If nodules occur in the area of the Bartholin’s gland in older women, it should also be clarified whether it is not a tumor.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.