Overview

A vaginal fistula is an unusual opening that develops between the vagina and another organ, such as the bladder, colon or rectum. Your health care provider might describe a vaginal fistula as a hole in the vagina that allows urine, gas or stool to pass through the vagina.

Vaginal fistulas can develop after childbirth, an injury, a surgery, an infection or radiation treatment. You may need surgery to fix a fistula.

There are several types of vaginal fistulas. They are named based on the location and organs they affect:

  • Vesicovaginal fistula. Also called a bladder fistula, this opening occurs between the vagina and urinary bladder. This is one of the most common fistulas.
  • Ureterovaginal fistula. This type of fistula happens when an unusual opening develops between the vagina and the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder (ureters).
  • Urethrovaginal fistula. The opening occurs between the vagina and the tube that carries urine out of the body (urethra). This type of fistula is also called a urethral fistula.
  • Rectovaginal fistula. In this type of fistula, the opening is between the vagina and the lower portion of the large intestine (rectum).
  • Colovaginal fistula. With a colovaginal fistula, the opening occurs between the vagina and colon.
  • Enterovaginal fistula. In this type of fistula, the opening is between the small intestine and the vagina.

Vaginal fistula care at Mayo Clinic

June 23, 2022
  1. Ferri FF. Vaginal fistulas. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2022. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 10, 2022.
  2. Cameron AM, et al. Rectovaginal fistula. In: Current Surgical Therapy. 13th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 10, 2022.
  3. Garely AD, et al. Urogenital tract fistulas in females. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed March 10, 2022.
  4. Toglia MR. Rectovaginal and anovaginal fistulas. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed March 10, 2022.
  5. Fazio VW, et al., eds. Surgical treatment of diverticulitis and its complications. In: Current Therapy in Colon and Rectal Surgery. 3rd ed. Elsevier; 2017. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 17, 2022.
  6. Jensen NA. Alllscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. Nov. 1, 2021.
  7. Trabuco EC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. April 19, 2022.

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