What can be done to prevent the condition?

It is hard to prevent this condition. Practicing safe sex can help prevent sexually transmitted diseases, which sometimes lead to this condition. Using good personal hygiene can help to prevent an abscess. After having a bowel movement, a woman should always wipe from the front to the back to prevent bacteria that live in the bowels from getting into the vagina.

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

A Bartholin cyst doesn't normally cause any long-term effects and often causes no symptoms. If a Bartholin abscess develops and goes untreated, it can lead to a serious infection of the bloodstream known as sepsis. If cancer is the cause of this condition, death may occur if the condition goes untreated for too long.

What are the risks to others?

There are no risks to others since this condition is not catching.