What is the Bartholin Glands?
Bartholin Glands: The Bartholin glands are two small glands located at the base of the vulva that release a bit of fluid to help keep the area lubricated, especially during arousal.
Also known as: Bartholin's glands, greater vestibular glands.
The Bartholin glands are a small but often talked about part of vulva anatomy. They sit just inside the lips of the vulva and their main job is to release a small amount of fluid that helps keep things comfortable down there, particularly when you are turned on.
Most people never think about these glands until something changes, like a lump or swelling. Understanding what they do and what is normal helps you notice when something is off, and it also helps explain why lube still matters even though your body makes its own natural moisture.
What Are the Bartholin Glands
The Bartholin glands are two small, pea sized glands found at the base of the vulva. They are named after Caspar Bartholin the Younger, a Danish anatomist who described them centuries ago. In male anatomy, the closest match is the bulbourethral glands, sometimes called Cowper's glands, which do a similar small lubricating job.
Each gland has a short duct that opens near the entrance of the vagina. Fluid travels down this duct and out onto the surface of the vulva. The amount released is small. It is meant to add a bit of moisture to the vulva, not to be the main source of wetness during arousal.
Where to Find the Bartholin Glands on Your Body
You will not usually feel these glands unless you know exactly where to look, and honestly, most people never notice them at all under normal circumstances. They sit low on either side of the vaginal opening, roughly where the inner lips meet the base of the vulva. Think of the opening as a clock face, with the glands sitting off to each side near the bottom.
Because they are small and soft, they are not something you can easily feel through everyday touch. You are far more likely to become aware of them if one becomes blocked or swollen, which we cover further down. Otherwise they stay quietly in the background doing their small job.
What Do the Bartholin Glands Do
During arousal, the Bartholin glands release a small amount of mucus like fluid onto the surface of the vulva. This is meant to add a bit of slipperiness right at the entrance, which can make initial penetration more comfortable. It happens alongside other changes in the body during arousal, like increased blood flow and the vaginal walls releasing their own moisture through a process called transudation.
It helps to know that these glands are not the main source of wetness during sex. Most of the fluid that shows up during arousal comes from the vaginal walls themselves, not from the Bartholin glands. Their contribution is small and mostly local to the vulva, which is one reason many people still need or want extra lubrication for comfortable, friction free sex.
Bartholin Gland Cysts, Abscesses, and Swelling
Sometimes the duct that carries fluid from a Bartholin gland gets blocked. When that happens, fluid can build up behind the blockage and form a small, often painless swelling called a Bartholin cyst. Many small cysts cause no symptoms at all and are only noticed by chance.
If bacteria get into a blocked gland, it can become infected and turn into an abscess, which is usually painful, warm to the touch, and can grow fairly quickly. This is different from a simple cyst because it usually needs treatment. Redness, swelling that grows, fever, or pain that makes sitting or walking uncomfortable are signs it is time to get checked out.
This is general information, not medical advice. If you notice a new lump, ongoing pain, or swelling near the vaginal opening, please see a doctor or another qualified healthcare provider. They can tell you what is actually going on and what, if anything, needs to be done about it.
How This Relates to Lube and Comfortable Sex
Because the Bartholin glands only add a small amount of natural lubrication, plenty of people find they want more for comfortable penetration, longer sessions, or anal play, where the body does not produce its own moisture at all. This is completely normal and has nothing to do with how turned on you are. Arousal levels, hormones, medications, stress, and age can all affect how much natural lubrication your body makes on any given day.
A water based lube is a solid default choice for most people and most toys, since it is gentle on the skin and safe to use with condoms and the vast majority of sex toy materials. If you want lubrication that lasts longer for extended play, a silicone based lube is an option, though it should not be used with silicone toys since it can damage the material over time. Whatever you pick, reapplying as needed keeps things comfortable instead of pushing through friction.
Keeping the vulva area clean and dry when not in use, choosing body safe, non porous lube, and washing toys after use all support the same goal as the Bartholin glands themselves, which is keeping things comfortable and irritation free.
When to See a Doctor About Bartholin Gland Issues
A small, soft, painless swelling that does not change much is often just a simple cyst and may not need treatment right away. Your doctor can confirm this and let you know if watching it is enough. Swelling that is painful, growing, red, or accompanied by fever is more likely to be an abscess and generally does need prompt medical attention.
Repeated cysts or abscesses in the same spot are also worth mentioning to a doctor, since there are ways to reduce how often they come back. This is not something to self diagnose or try to treat at home. A quick visit to a doctor, gynecologist, or sexual health clinic is the safest way to get an accurate answer.
Bartholin Glands vs Skene's Glands: Quick Comparison
| Bartholin Glands | Skene's Glands | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Base of the vulva, one on each side of the vaginal opening | Near the lower end of the urethra, close to the front vaginal wall |
| Main function | Release a small amount of fluid to lubricate the vulva | Release fluid through tiny ducts near the urethral opening, linked by some researchers to female ejaculation |
| Also known as | Greater vestibular glands | Paraurethral glands |
| Common issue | Can form a cyst or abscess if the duct is blocked | Rarely causes noticeable problems, less studied overall |
| Relation to arousal | Adds a small amount of moisture at the vaginal entrance during arousal | Some researchers link them to fluid release during orgasm, though this is still debated |
Key Things to Know
- The Bartholin glands sit at the base of the vulva and release a small amount of fluid during arousal, which is why they are worth knowing about even though they are tiny.
- Their contribution to wetness is minor compared to natural vaginal lubrication, which is why many people still want extra lube for comfortable sex.
- A blocked duct can cause a cyst, and an infected cyst can become an abscess, so new lumps or painful swelling near the vaginal opening are worth having checked by a doctor.
- Water based lube is compatible with condoms and most toy materials, making it a dependable default when your body needs extra help staying comfortable.
- Silicone lube lasts longer for extended play but can damage silicone toys, so check what your toy is made from before you reach for it.
FAQ
What do the Bartholin glands actually do?
The Bartholin glands are two small glands at the base of the vulva that release a bit of mucus like fluid, mostly during arousal. This fluid adds a small amount of extra moisture right at the entrance of the vagina, which can make initial penetration a little more comfortable. They are not the main source of wetness during sex, most of that comes from the vaginal walls themselves, so the glands play a supporting role rather than a starring one.
Can you feel your Bartholin glands normally?
Most people cannot feel these glands during everyday activity since they are small, soft, and tucked into the base of the vulva. You are much more likely to notice them if a duct becomes blocked and forms a cyst, which can feel like a small lump near the vaginal opening. If you do notice a new lump, it is worth getting it checked by a doctor rather than trying to figure it out on your own.
Is a Bartholin cyst something to worry about?
A small, painless cyst is fairly common and often does not need any treatment beyond keeping an eye on it. It becomes more of a concern if it grows, becomes painful, turns red, or is warm to the touch, since those signs can point to an infection or abscess. Either way, a doctor or gynecologist is the right person to take a look and tell you what, if anything, needs to be done.
Do the Bartholin glands make enough lubrication for sex?
For a lot of people, no, not on their own. The fluid they release is small in amount and is meant to add a bit of moisture at the vulva rather than fully lubricate for penetration. This is completely normal and is one reason a water based lube is such a common addition during sex, whether that is vaginal, anal, or with toys.
What is the difference between the Bartholin glands and the Skene's glands?
They are both small glands in the genital area, but they sit in different spots and do somewhat different things. The Bartholin glands are at the base of the vulva and add moisture near the vaginal opening, while the Skene's glands sit near the urethra and have been linked by some researchers to fluid release during orgasm. The Skene's glands are less studied overall, so there is still some debate about exactly how they work.
When should I see a doctor about swelling near my vaginal opening?
If a lump appears near the vaginal opening and stays small, soft, and painless, it may just be worth mentioning at your next checkup. If it grows quickly, becomes painful, red, warm, or is paired with fever, that is a reason to see a doctor sooner rather than later. This kind of swelling is common and very treatable, so there is no need to panic, just get it looked at.
Related Terms
Sources
- Mayo Clinic: “The Bartholin's glands are located on each side of the vaginal opening.”
- Mayo Clinic: “Experts believe that the cause of a Bartholin's cyst is a backup of fluid.”
- Cleveland Clinic: “In some people, Skene's glands may function similar to ejaculation and produce a mucus-like substance during orgasm.”
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