Key takeaways
- Nabothian cysts are benign bumps on the cervix. The cysts are full of clear, light yellow, or amber mucus. People may have more than one nabothian cyst.
- People may develop nabothian cysts after giving birth or after menopause. The cysts are normal and usually cause no symptoms.
- A healthcare professional may also refer to nabothian cysts as nabothian follicles, epithelial inclusion cysts, or mucinous retention cysts.
Nabothian cysts are benign, meaning they are noncancerous. Accurate diagnosis is essential to distinguish them from other cervical abnormalities and thus guide proper treatment.
In this article, we outline the causes, treatments, and potential complications associated with nabothian cysts.
Nabothian glands line the cervix and release mucus. If skin cells in the cervix cover the glands, they can block them, preventing the release of mucus.
When this builds up in the blocked glands, it forms a smooth bump called a nabothian cyst.
Nabothian cysts often occur following changes to the cervical structure, such as following pregnancy, childbirth, or chronic cervicitis.
Cervicitis is the inflammation of the cervix and may occur due to infection, hormonal changes, or in response to certain treatments.
People often develop nabothian cysts during their fertile years, after childbirth, and when going through the menopause.
However, nabothian cysts are
One study reports how a large nabothian cyst blocked the labor passage. The healthcare professional drained the cyst, which allowed the safe delivery of a healthy baby.
Small nabothian cysts do not usually cause any symptoms. However, larger nabothian cysts may cause:
- pelvic pain
- a full or heavy feeling in the vagina
- irregular periods
A healthcare professional may identify nabothian cysts during a routine pelvic or pregnancy examination.
If they identify a nabothian cyst, they may carry out a colposcopy to examine the cysts more closely. This can determine whether the bumps are nabothian cysts or other types of cervical bump.
A healthcare professional may also carry out a vaginal ultrasound, MRI scan, or CT scan to check for nabothian cysts. If a cyst is present, they may take a tissue sample of the cyst to check it is not another type of bump. Nabothian cysts can sometimes look like adenoma malignum, which is a rare type of cervical cancer.
If people have adenoma malignum, they may experience symptoms such as:
- painful cramps during menstruation
- prolonged or heavier menstruation than usual
- bleeding during or after sex
- watery vaginal discharge
If a healthcare professional suspects a bump on the cervix is not benign, they will surgically remove it. It is important that people attend routine cervical examinations to check for anything unusual.
Nabothian cysts do not need treatment and typically resolve independently. They are typically only a few millimeters in diameter, but can grow to be
If a large nabothian cyst is causing symptoms, people may need a surgical procedure to remove it.
Healthcare professionals may use one of the following procedures to remove a nabothian cyst:
- electrocautery, which involves the use of a small probe with an electric current to burn off the cyst
- cryotherapy, which involves the use of liquid nitrogen to freeze the cyst off
In many cases, nabothian cysts are not a cause for concern, and most people do not experience any symptoms.
However, large nabothian cysts may block the cervix and make it difficult for a healthcare professional to carry out routine check-ups of the cervix.
Multiple, large nabothian cysts can cause the cervix to expand. In these cases, people may need a cystectomy to remove the cyst and treatment for genital prolapse.
Can they rupture?
Nabothian cysts are full of mucus and can rupture. If a nabothian cyst does burst, a person may notice unusual discharge or odor from the vagina. If this continues, they should see a healthcare professional to check the cause.
Nabothian cysts are common, typically harmless growths on the cervix. They occur most frequently in people post-childbirth and postmenopause.
The outlook is very positive for nabothian cysts. Typically, nabothian cysts cause no symptoms and do not require any treatment. Nabothian cysts are relatively common, and many people have them.
Anyone who has a nabothian cyst should ensure they have regular cervical examinations to check that the cysts are not getting larger. If the cysts do increase in size, they could start causing symptoms.
If people have uncomfortable symptoms from nabothian cysts or if the cysts are making routine cervical examinations difficult, they may need surgical treatment to remove the cysts.