For this discussion about a urinary and bladder fistula, you first need to know what is a fistula. A fistula is an opening, hole or tunnel in the wall of a body cavity that’s not suppose to be there. A fistula can open into another body cavity or to the outside through your skin.
The walls of your urinary tract, which includes your bladder, is a one of the cavities where a fistula can form. The most common type of fistula involving the urinary system is tunnel development between the bladder and vagina. Other urinary and bladder fistulas may occur between:
- ureter & vagina
- bladder & bowel
- urethra & vagina
- bladder & uterus
When a fistula has fully penetrated both cavities walls, then fluids can freely flow between the two.
The basic cause for the development of a bladder or urinary fistula is tissue destruction resulting from an abscess, infection, chronic inflammation or injury. And here are some of the health conditions and situations that can increase that risk:
- PID
- colon cancer
- endometriosis
- bladder infection
- congenital defect
- pelvic area radiation treatment
- prolonged labor during childbirth
- reproductive cancers ~ ovarian, cervical
- gynecological surgery~ hysterectomy, cesarean
- pelvic region injury ~ penetrating wound, pelvic fracture
- inflammatory bowel disease ~ Crohn’s, colitis, diverticulitis
Bladder fistula symptoms commonly involve leakage of urine out through your vagina and frequent recurring UTIs. Other symptoms vary according to the location of your urinary fistula, for instance may experience vulva irritation, dysuria, diarrhea or abdominal pain.
Treatment for a urinary and bladder fistula might require surgical repair, but not always. In some cases, fibrin glue may used to seal the hole rather than surgery. Or with smaller fistulas a urinary catheter may be inserted and it may close spontaneously once urine is diverted.
Additional treatment involves treating any underlying health condition contributing to your fistula’s development. So for instance, if bacteria infecting your urinary tract is an associative cause, then you may be prescribed an antibiotic.