Nabothian cysts on the cervix are common in women who have already given birth. They also happen in older women whose cervical skin has thinned due to menopause

No current studies indicating the prevalence of Nabothian cysts. But 30 years ago, prevalence was estimated to be around 12%.

Cervical glands create mucus. Sometimes, healthy cervical skin cells cover these glands, trapping mucus inside. When mucus cannot escape the gland, they become what is called a Nabothian cyst.

Nabothian cysts are so frequent that a doctor may notice them during a pelvic exam. When a doctor is not sure, other tests are done such as the following:

• MRI, CT scan, or ultrasound;
• A procedure to see the inside of the cervix called colposcopy. This method enlarges the cervix from the inside to determine if the lump is a Nabothian cyst or anything else;
• A physician may drain some of the cyst fluid and submit it to the lab for analysis. This test will tell if the bulge is malignant or not.

Treatment

Asymptomatic, noncancerous Nabothian cysts require no treatment. When pain is present or when cancer cannot be ruled out, therapy is recommended. If treatment is needed, most of it is just draining. 

When the cyst becomes a barrier to birth, simple drainage can also be done to let a normal vaginal delivery happen. If the diagnosis cannot be made or if the cyst is deep or large and causing symptoms, it needs to be removed so that the nature of the cyst can be looked at and other cervical tumors and adenoma can be ruled out.

Other ways Nabothian cysts are destroyed are through electricity and cold. Electrocautery ablation involves directing electric currents at the cyst in order to destroy it. The currents heat the cyst, which kills it in the end. In cryotherapy, the cyst is killed by freezing it using liquid nitrogen.