Pain during sex response due to occlusion of the Bartholin gland duct.

The greater vestibular glands produce a secretion during the plateau stage of sexual response. If the duct of the gland is partially or completely occluded, the secretion cannot be released and pain results from the pressure of the entrapped secretion. The pain is specific in its location and is elicited regardless of the mode of sexual stimulation. Four cases are presented in which duct occlusion appears to be the cause of pain during sex response. The gland was removed in 3 cases. In the fourth a marsupialization procedure was performed. The procedures were curative in all 4 cases. Relevant anatomy and sexual physiology are discussed.