Content
Skene's glands are located on the side of the woman's urethra, near the entrance to the vagina and are responsible for releasing a whitish or transparent liquid representing female ejaculation during intimate contact. The development of Skene's glands can vary between women, so that in some women it may be more difficult to stimulate that gland.
In some cases, when the Skene gland becomes blocked, fluid can build up inside it, causing inflammation and causing a cyst to appear that can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs or surgery, for example.
What are the glands for
The Skene gland is responsible for producing and releasing a colorless or whitish, viscous liquid through the urethra during intimate contact when the glands are stimulated, resulting in female ejaculation.
The ejaculated liquid has no relation to vaginal lubrication, because lubrication occurs before orgasm and is produced by the Bartholin glands, while ejaculation occurs at the climax of intimate contact and the liquid is released through the urethral canal.
Learn more about the lubrication produced by the Bartholin gland.
Main symptoms of inflammation
Inflammation of the Skene gland can occur due to an obstruction of the gland channels, which causes the fluid to accumulate instead of being released and forms a cyst, which causes symptoms such as:
- Constant pain or when urinating;
- Swelling of the intimate region;
- Presence of a small lump near the urethra.
In most cases, the Skene gland cyst is less than 1 cm in size and therefore produces few symptoms. However, when it grows a lot it can generate the indicated symptoms and even obstruct the urethra, making it difficult for urine to escape.
The symptoms of this type of cyst can also be mistaken for a urinary tract infection. Thus, whenever there is any persistent pain or discomfort in the intimate region, it is very important to consult a gynecologist, to identify the cause and start the most appropriate treatment.
In addition to inflammation, the cyst can become infected, giving rise to an abscess, which is characterized by the presence of pus and is usually related to the presence of the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis, responsible for trichomoniasis. In this case, and when the cyst is large, the woman may experience fever, pain during intimate contact, when sitting, walking and urinating, feeling of a ball in the vagina and pus output, and may also develop urinary retention or a urinary infection .
How the treatment is done
Treatment for cyst in the Skene's gland should be guided by a gynecologist, but it is usually started with analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Ibuprofen or Paracetamol, to relieve pain and reduce swelling. If there are signs and symptoms of infection, the doctor may also recommend the use of antibiotics, such as Amoxicillin, for example, in addition to the need to remove the pus present in the cyst, which is done through a small surgical cut.
In the most severe cases, when it is not possible to relieve the cyst symptoms with medication alone, the gynecologist may recommend surgery to remove the Skene gland.