Are Nabothian Cysts Sexually Transmitted? Here’s the Truth

Most people don’t realize that the little bumps your doctor sometimes spots on your cervix? They’re usually nothing to worry about. And look — I know the words “cervical cyst” can sound scary, like you’re in some medical thriller. But here’s the really good news: no, nabothian cysts are not sexually transmitted.

Not at all. Not even a little.

Seriously. If you’ve been lying in bed at 2 a.m., Googling “are nabothian cysts sexually transmitted” while your mind runs through every worst-case scenario… stop. Breathe. This isn’t one of them.

These cysts are like the quiet roommates of the cervix — they move in, stay out of the way, and usually never cause any trouble. In fact, most women have them at some point and never even know.

They pop up during routine Pap smears, and honestly, your doctor probably doesn’t bat an eye. So if you’ve been stressing, questioning your health, your choices — just know this: your body is doing its thing. And this? This is normal.

What It Is

Let’s break it down like we’re just talking over coffee.

Nabothian cysts are small, mucus-filled sacs that form on the surface of your cervix — that little donut-shaped gate between your vagina and uterus. They happen when the tiny mucus-producing glands in your cervix get blocked. Think of it like a pore on your skin getting clogged. Instead of a pimple, you get a tiny, smooth, white or yellow bump — harmless as can be.

According to MedlinePlus, these are completely benign, meaning they’re not cancerous, not harmful, and not dangerous. They’re so common, they’re considered a normal part of cervical anatomy — especially as we age, go through childbirth, or experience hormonal shifts.

They’re not infections. They’re not spreading. And no — they didn’t come from your partner. Ever.

Causes Behind It

So how do they form? It’s less “mysterious illness” and more “biology doing its quiet housekeeping.”

After childbirth, when the cervix heals, new skin cells can grow over the glands that secrete mucus. That sealing action traps the mucus underneath, forming a cyst. The same thing can happen after any minor cervical trauma — like a biopsy, infection, or even chronic inflammation from cervicitis (which, by the way, can sometimes be linked to STIs — but the cyst itself still isn’t one).

Pregnancy, hormonal changes, and aging can also play a role. In fact, a study in PubMed Central notes that these cysts are frequently seen in women of reproductive age and during menopause, thanks to natural thinning of cervical tissue.

So yeah — it’s your body, healing and adapting. It’s not a judgment, and it’s definitely not a scandal.

STIs? Not a Link

Okay, let’s tackle the big question head-on: Can an STI cause a nabothian cyst?

Short answer: Nope.

Longer answer: While you can’t “catch” a nabothian cyst like you can chlamydia or HPV, there’s a tiny, indirect connection that sometimes causes confusion. If you’ve had a long-term infection like chlamydia, it can cause inflammation in the cervix — called cervicitis. That inflammation can lead to tissue healing, which sometimes results in those gland blockages we just talked about.

But here’s the key: the cyst isn’t the infection. It’s more like a scar from the body’s repair job.

Think of it like this — if your skin gets a cut and later forms a small scar bump, you wouldn’t say the scar is infected, right? Same idea here. The cyst is a byproduct, not the problem.

And no — you can’t pass it to your partner. Not during sex, not ever. These cysts aren’t contagious. They’re just… there.

Does It Hurt?

Most of the time? Absolutely not.

In fact, the majority of women never feel a thing. No pain, no itching, no weird sensations. You might only find out you have one (or several) during a routine pelvic exam, when your doctor casually mentions, “Oh, you’ve got a little nabothian cyst — totally normal.”

They’re usually less than a centimeter wide — about the size of a rice grain or a small pea. And they look like smooth, round bumps. If you’ve ever searched for “pictures of cysts” online, you’ve probably seen them — they’re often mistaken for cervical polyps or even signs of infection. But really, they’re just your body’s way of saying, “Hey, healing in progress.”

When to Care

Now, I get it — even if something’s “normal,” it can still feel unsettling. But here’s when you actually should pay attention.

While most nabothian cysts are harmless, giant ones (rare, but they happen) can cause symptoms like:

• A feeling of fullness or pressure in your pelvis
• Pain during sex
• Spotting between periods
• Difficulty with Pap smears (if the cyst blocks the view)

If you’re dealing with any of that, yeah — it’s time to check in with your OB-GYN. But again, even then, it’s not an emergency. It’s just your body needing a little tune-up.

Removal Options

So, what if you want it gone — not because it’s dangerous, but because it’s bugging you? Totally valid. Your comfort matters.

Here’s the thing: you don’t need treatment unless it’s causing problems. But if you’re tired of wondering about it or it’s interfering with exams, removal is quick and usually painless.

How is a cyst removed?

There are a few different ways, and your doctor will pick what’s best based on size and location.

Common methods include:

• Drainage – The doctor punctures it with a tiny tool (after numbing the area). It’s over in seconds. Mucus comes out, and the cyst collapses.
• Electrocautery – Uses a small electric current to burn off the cyst. Very precise, minimal bleeding.
• Cryotherapy – Freezes the cyst off. Think of it like a dermatologist freezing a wart.
• Laser treatment – Used for larger or stubborn cases. High-tech, but not usually needed.

All of these are outpatient procedures — you walk in, it’s done in minutes, and you walk out. Recovery? A few days of light spotting, maybe some cramping. That’s it.

Where to get a cyst removed?

You don’t need a specialist, a hospital, or anything fancy. Your regular gynecologist can handle it — often right in their office. Just call your OB-GYN, explain your symptoms or concerns, and they’ll set up an appointment.

No referrals, no waiting months. It’s part of standard women’s health care.

How much does it cost to get a cyst removed?

This one comes up a lot — and I don’t blame you. Medical costs are stressful.

Here’s a rough idea:

Procedure	Estimated Cost (Without Insurance)	With Insurance
Office drainage	$150–$300	Copay only (often $20–$50)
Electrocautery or cryotherapy	$300–$800	Mostly or fully covered
Laser removal	$1,000+	May require pre-authorization

If you don’t have insurance, don’t panic. Many clinics offer payment plans or sliding scale fees. Just ask. Seriously — it never hurts to.

Can You Prevent It?

Short answer? No. And honestly? You don’t need to.

These cysts aren’t a sign of poor hygiene, risky behavior, or bad health. They’re just part of how the cervix works. You can’t stop your body from healing or changing — and you shouldn’t want to.

But you can support your cervical health by:

• Going to regular pelvic exams (even when you feel fine)
• Practicing safe sex (to prevent STIs that cause inflammation)
• Avoiding douching (it messes with your natural pH)
• Staying on top of Pap smears and HPV tests

That’s not about preventing cysts — it’s about loving your body enough to give it routine care.

When to See a Doctor

So… should you run to the doctor tomorrow?

If you’re having unusual symptoms — like bleeding after sex, pelvic pain, or thick, smelly discharge — yes. Totally. Get checked. It might not be a cyst at all. It could be an infection, an STI, or something else that needs attention.

But if you just got your Pap results and saw “nabothian cyst” and now you’re spiraling? Take a breath. Call your doctor, ask questions, but don’t panic.

You’re not broken. You’re not dirty. You’re not alone.

I’ve talked to women who’ve had these for years and didn’t even know. Others who freaked out at first — then laughed when their doctor said, “Oh, that? I have ten of those.”

Final Thoughts

Let’s wrap this up with some honesty.

Women are often made to feel like our bodies are confusing, fragile, or shameful. A single word like “cyst” can trigger anxiety, fear, even shame. But here’s what I want you to remember:

Nabothian cysts are not sexually transmitted. They are not dangerous. They are not your fault.

They’re just a tiny part of how your cervix does its job — protecting, healing, adapting.

Yes, it’s okay to want answers. It’s okay to want it gone. It’s okay to be a little weirded out. But please — don’t let fear make the decisions for you.

Talk to your doctor. Ask your questions. Get clarity.

And if you walk away knowing just one thing from this post, let it be this: your body is strong, smart, and doing its best. And you? You’ve got this.

Have you ever been told you have a nabothian cyst? What was your first reaction? If you’ve got questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. Let’s keep the conversation real. Together.