Hoping to catch a break down there

I've had both, but not at the same time. If you think you have a Bartholin cyst, you should go see your GYN as soon as possible. Mine abscesses and swelled up to the size of a peach before I went to get it lanced.

As for the fissure; sitz baths help a lot (they also will help with the cyst). I have some Nupercainal still and love it for the fissures. They took it off the market for awhile, and I'm not sure if it's back on the market. You may also be able to find something similar to it on the internet.

I don't see how a fissure can cause a Bartholin cyst or even the other way around.

UGH! I struggled with a Bartholin's cyst for years. As Karbear said, soaking in the bath helps. I used to soak with Epsom's salt every night until it drained. If you do have one, and it doesn't drain on it's own, you will need to go to the GYN and have them do it. You definitely don't want it to cause an abscess. Wish I could offer advice for the fissure, but it's one of the rare maladies that I have not expererienced (thankfully!!)

Best of luck!

Colleen