This can result in significant disability, interference with sexual activity, and other physical health issues, the effects of which may in turn have a negative impact on mental or emotional state, including an increase in social isolation.
Fistulas are usually caused by injury or surgery, but they can also result from malignancy, infection, prolonged and obstructed labor and deliver in childbirth, hysterectomy, radiation therapy or inflammation.
[2] Abnormal passageways can also exist between the vagina and the organs of the gastrointestinal system, and these may also be termed fistulas.
[5] The presence of a vaginal fistula has a profound effect on the quality of life since there is little control over the passage of urine and feces through the vagina.
Urogenital fistulas can be classified by size and more specific anatomical location such as 'upper vagina' or 'posterior vaginal wall'.
Physician error and lack of training contribute to the unsuccessful treatment of obstetric fistulas in developing countries.
Conservative treatment with an in-dwelling catheter can be effective for small and recently formed urinary fistulas.
The average age of a woman who develops a fistula due to prolonged labor is 28 years old.
Though rare, a fistula can form after the minimally invasive oocyte retrieval part of infertility treatment.