Compromising vaginal hygiene will lead to severe health problems as the vagina is prone to bacterial and fungal infections. Vaginal fistula is a rare condition that may severely affect the overall health and wellbeing. The World Health Organisation says that around 50,000 to 1 lakh women suffer from vaginal fistula every year. A vaginal fistula is an abnormal opening that connects the vagina to another organ, such as the bladder, colon, or rectum. The type of fistula is diagnosed based on the organ that is connected to the opening.

Types of vaginal fistula
If the vaginal opening is connected to the rectum, the condition is called rectovaginal fistula. If it is connected to the bladder, it is called vesicovaginal fistula. In the enterovaginal fistula, the opening is connected to the small intestine, while the colovaginal fistula has an opening connected to the colon. Meanwhile, a urethrovaginal fistula is a rare condition that connects the urethra and the vagina. The ureterovaginal fistula is an abnormal opening between the ureter and the vagina.

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Symptoms and treatment of vaginal fistula
The treatment is planned based on the type of fistula that is diagnosed. Leaking of stool, urine, or passing of gas through the vagina, abdomen pain, itchiness, vaginal discharge with odour, nausea and vomiting, infection in kidneys and urethra, unexplained weight loss, bleeding from vagina or rectum and painful sex are some of the symptoms of vaginal fistula. Do not try to self-treat as soon as you notice these symptoms. Immediate diagnosis and medical treatment are required for recovery.

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