From the Research
Nabothian cysts are unlikely to cause bleeding, but in rare cases, a giant nabothian cyst can lead to massive abnormal uterine bleeding, as reported in a case study published in 2017 1. Nabothian cysts are small, benign cysts that form when mucus-producing glands in the cervix become blocked with mucus and enlarge. They are very common findings during routine pelvic examinations and are considered normal variants rather than a disease process.
- Nabothian cysts are usually asymptomatic and don't require treatment.
- If bleeding is occurring alongside nabothian cysts, it's more likely that another condition is causing the bleeding, such as cervicitis, cervical polyps, cervical ectropion, or other gynecological issues.
- Any unexplained vaginal bleeding should be evaluated by a healthcare provider to determine its cause, as nabothian cysts themselves are not typically associated with this symptom. The cysts appear as small, white, yellow, or clear bumps on the cervix and are filled with mucus rather than blood, which explains why they don't typically cause bleeding.
- Regular gynecological check-ups can monitor these cysts, though intervention is rarely needed unless they become unusually large or cause discomfort. It's worth noting that nabothian cyst content can sometimes be mistaken for tumor diathesis pattern associated with invasive carcinoma on Pap test cytology, as reported in a study published in 2019 2. However, this does not change the fact that nabothian cysts themselves are unlikely to cause bleeding. In summary, while nabothian cysts are unlikely to cause bleeding, any unexplained vaginal bleeding should be evaluated by a healthcare provider to determine its cause.