What exactly is a fistula?

nason · Newbie Joined: 02 Apr 2005 Posts: 9

Hi. Just recently I have heard one very scary thing and I just can't believe that it could be truth!
My best friend told me that her sister has developed one very serious condition.
It all started with a terrible odor coming out of her vagina. She couldn’t explain what is going on with her but when she noticed feces on the walls of her labia- she contacted her gynecologist.
He told her that she has developed some kind of fistula and that she needs a quick operation. Can someone please tell me what the hell happened to her?

rascoe · Silver Member Joined: 01 Jan 2002 Posts: 251

Hi. I know that all this sounds impossible but I'm sorry to say- it is very possible although not so often condition.
Fistula means abnormal communication and when I say that we are talking about recto vaginal fistula- you could assume what structures are communicating. Because of all bacteria that live in women’s colon- some very difficult infections could spread on vagina causing vaginitis, vulvo-vaginitis or cervicitis!
You could be born with it or it can happen later in life but you should know that only surgical operation is effective treatment.

What exactly is a fistula?

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