After Care

This section will cover key information to guide you through recovery after your treatment.

If you have any questions or concerns during your recovery, please contact your healthcare provider.

  • Keep the rubbery tip tucked into your vagina to avoid snagging it on your underwear.

  • You may shower and let water run over/around it.

  • Avoid very tight-fitting clothing

How long should my Word Catheter stay in?

Ideally, the Word catheter will stay in for 4-6 weeks (until your scheduled follow-up appointment).

What do I do if the Word Catheter falls out early?

Monitor your symptoms. If the pain, swelling, and discharge are all improving, no further action is needed until your follow-up appointment. If your symptoms are worsening, you may need to seek care (Primary Care, Gynecology or Urgent Care depending on your local resources). If it has been 5 or fewer days and the abscess is still very swollen, you may be a candidate for re-drainage.

How do I take care of my Word Catheter?

What is a sitz bath? Do I need to use one?

Regardless of the type of drainage, daily sitz baths will help the area heal. The warm water may release additional drainage and help with the swelling and pain. 

Sit in a shallow basin over your toilet bowl with a few inches/10 centimetres of warm water (aka a “sitz bath”) for 15-20 minutes 3 times a day if possible. Gently dry the area and avoid rubbing. You can also sit in a bathtub, but avoid bubble baths as this may irritate sensitive skin. If you don’t have a bathtub or a basin, you may still find some relief by running warm water over the area.

Examples of sitz baths for purchase:

After Care FAQs

  • Yes - but avoid tight-fighting clothing (spandex/lycra) as this may irritate the area.

  • It depends. If there is no Word Catheter or Jacobi ring inserted, you can resume having sex once the discharge/drainage has stopped (typically, 3 days). If there is a Word catheter or Jacobi ring inserted, local guidelines may range from waiting 3 days to waiting until the catheter has fallen out/been removed.

  • Over-the-counter pain medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, Paracetamol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) may be helpful. Follow the instructions on the label.

  • Not usually. However, if you have been prescribed antibiotics, please use them as directed.

  • Any cutting to the skin may result in a small scar. The vulva skin generally heals very well, but some people are more prone to bigger scars (i.e. keloids).

Who will I follow up with?

This will depend on where you live and which treatment option you received. 

  • If you had a Word Catheter or Jacobi Ring inserted, you will typically be instructed to follow up with either a  Gynecologist/Women’s Health Clinic or your Primary Care Provider (Family Doctor/Nurse Practitioner) within 4-6 weeks.

  • If you had an I&D without fistulization, you may follow up with your PCP. 

  • If you had marsupialization by a Gynecologist, you will likely have a follow-up with a Gynecologist.

What Comes Next?

Unfortunately, research tells us that 10-20% of patients who have drainage of their BGA may have a recurrence within 1 year; you may ask your HCP about the possibility of a marsupialization or gland excision if it recurs. Depending on where you live, other options may exist.

When should I seek urgent medical care?

  • If you develop a fever (oral temperature) > 38° Celsius

  • Worsening pain/swelling/redness

  • Increasing discharge

  • Red streaks leading away from the area

You do not need immediate medical attention if your Word Catheter falls out early. If it has been 5 days or less since the procedure, there is a higher chance that the abscess will recur. If you are not in pain, it may be reasonable to wait and see if the abscess comes back