If your gynecologist has told you that you have a “cyst on the cervix”, it is most often a nabothian cyst — one of the most common and most harmless findings in gynecology. Nabothian cysts are not cancer, they do not turn into cancer, and in the great majority of cases they need no treatment at all. This page explains what they are, why they form, when they do need attention, and how they are treated if that becomes necessary.
What is a nabothian cyst?
The cervix (the neck of the womb) is lined with glands that produce mucus. Sometimes the surface cells grow over the opening of one of these glands and seal it. The mucus keeps being produced but can no longer escape, so it collects in a small pocket under the surface. That pocket is a nabothian cyst — also called a mucinous retention cyst or epithelial cyst of the cervix.
Most are only a few millimetres across — typically about 2 to 3 mm — and look like small, smooth, dome-shaped bumps that are white, yellow or translucent. They are usually multiple. Rarely a cyst grows larger, and in unusual cases it can reach 4 cm or more.
Why do nabothian cysts form?
They are a sign of normal healing and remodelling of cervical tissue, not of disease. The common triggers are:
- After childbirth — as the cervix heals, new surface tissue grows over the gland openings. This is why nabothian cysts are more frequent in women who have given birth.
- Long-standing inflammation of the cervix (chronic cervicitis).
- Minor injury to the cervix, including after some gynecological procedures.
They can appear at any age but are most common between puberty and menopause, when the cervix is hormonally active.
What symptoms do they cause?
Usually none. The great majority of nabothian cysts are found by chance during a routine pelvic examination or a cervical screening test, and the woman had no idea they were there.
When a cyst is unusually large, or when there are many of them, you may notice:
- a feeling of pressure or fullness in the vagina;
- discomfort or pain during intercourse;
- an increase in vaginal discharge, or a temporary discharge if a cyst ruptures;
- irregular spotting (uncommon).
Any bleeding between periods or after intercourse should always be assessed by your gynecologist rather than assumed to come from a cyst.
Are nabothian cysts cancer? Can they become cancer?
No. Nabothian cysts are non-neoplastic — they are trapped mucus, not a tumour. They have no malignant potential and they do not increase your risk of cervical cancer. Having them does not change your screening schedule.
There is one reason your doctor may still want a closer look. A rare form of cervical cancer called adenoma malignum (minimal deviation adenocarcinoma) can look similar on imaging. The distinguishing feature is depth: ordinary nabothian cysts sit superficially, while this rare tumour lies deeper in the cervical wall. This is why cysts that are unusually large, deep or numerous may be examined further — not because a nabothian cyst is dangerous, but to make certain that is what it is.
How is a nabothian cyst diagnosed?
In most cases the diagnosis is made simply by looking:
- Speculum examination — the typical smooth, dome-shaped cysts are recognisable on sight, and no further test is needed.
- Colposcopy — a magnified view of the cervix, used when the appearance is not entirely typical.
- Ultrasound — the cysts appear as small fluid-filled (anechoic) areas within the cervix; often noticed incidentally during a pelvic scan.
- MRI — reserved for large or deep cysts, where it helps confirm the benign nature and rule out the rare deeper tumour described above.
When does a nabothian cyst need treatment?
Almost never. Treatment is not required for a cyst that causes no symptoms, and there is no benefit in removing one “just in case”. Your gynecologist may suggest treatment only if:
- the cyst is large enough to cause pain, pressure or discomfort during intercourse;
- it blocks the view of the cervix or makes it difficult to take an adequate smear sample;
- the appearance is atypical and tissue examination is needed to exclude another diagnosis.
How are they treated?
When treatment is chosen, it is a short procedure, usually done in the office under local anaesthesia:
- Electrocautery (diathermy) — the most commonly used method; an electric current opens and destroys the cyst wall with very little bleeding.
- Cryotherapy — the cyst is frozen and destroyed.
- Surgical excision — used for very large cysts, or when the tissue needs to be sent for laboratory examination.
Recovery is quick; most women feel normal within a few days. Some watery or blood-tinged discharge for a short period afterwards is expected. Your gynecologist will tell you when to resume intercourse and what to watch for.
What happens at UCARER Women’s Health
A cervical cyst is assessed as part of a normal gynecological examination. We look at the cervix directly, and where the appearance calls for it we add colposcopy or ultrasound in the same visit. Because a cervical cyst is often found during screening, we also review whether your Pap smear and HPV testing are up to date — the cyst itself is harmless, but screening is what protects the cervix.
If a cyst genuinely needs to be removed, the options are explained first, including the choice of a female surgeon. Our clinic works in English, Turkish, German, French, Arabic, Russian and Persian, and international patients are supported throughout by a multilingual coordinator.
Frequently asked questions
Do nabothian cysts go away on their own? They can, and new ones can appear. Because they are harmless, neither event requires action.
Do they affect fertility or pregnancy? Ordinary nabothian cysts do not block the cervical canal and are not a cause of infertility. If you are having difficulty conceiving, the cause should be looked for elsewhere.
Can they come back after removal? The treated cyst does not return, but a new cyst can form at another gland — this is not a sign that anything went wrong.
Are they contagious or related to HPV? No. A nabothian cyst is a blocked gland, not an infection, and it is not sexually transmitted.
My cyst was seen on an ultrasound report — should I worry? No. Nabothian cysts are frequently reported on scans done for other reasons. Bring the report to your appointment and it will be put in context.
Does removal hurt? Office treatment is done under local anaesthesia and is usually described as brief cramping rather than pain.
Sources: StatPearls (National Center for Biotechnology Information), Cleveland Clinic, Harvard Health. This page is for general education and does not replace a medical consultation. Reviewed by Assist. Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Uçarer (Obstetrics & Gynaecology), UCARER Women’s Health, Istanbul.
Contact UCARER Women’s Health to book your consultation with Assist. Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Uçarer.