Incision and drainage (I&D) is a procedure that can be performed in an office to drain an abscess or cyst in the vaginal area. Your doctor makes an incision through the numbed skin over the abscess. Pus is drained out of the abscess pocket. After the pus has drained out, your doctor cleans out the pocket with a sterile saline solution. The abscess is left open but covered with a wound dressing to absorb any more pus that is produced initially after the procedure. Only small cysts are drained in office.

You may experience pain and discomfort in your vulva for several days after the procedure. If your urine touches the wound, you will experience a burning sensation. You may also find it uncomfortable to sit for long periods of time.

You should contact your doctor if you experience severe pain that does not go away with over-the-counter pain medications. You should also look out for discharge from the incision that has a foul odor or is yellow-green in color, and excessive bleeding or a rash at the incision site. If the incision opens or you develop a fever call the on-call physician or go to the ER.