Can a fistula in the bowel also heal by itself? | Fistula in the genital area – All you need to know

Can a fistula in the bowel also heal by itself?

Smaller fistulas in the intestine heal by themselves. Many enterovaginal fistulas are caused by inflammation of the genital tract or the intestine and can heal even after the inflammation is over. In many cases, there are smaller symptomless fistulas that go unnoticed and close by themselves.

Even symptomatic, smaller fistulas can heal on their own if they are in good health and under suitable conditions. Many of the defects can also be corrected in minor surgical procedures. Only in the case of very large fistulas with severe symptoms, an artificial bowel outlet and a lengthy course of surgical treatment should be considered.

These symptoms are accompanied by fistula

Fistulas between the vagina and parts of the intestine can occur due to changes on both sides of the fistula formation. The size of the fistula is decisive for the symptoms, the treatment procedure and the prognosis. The symptoms of a large so-called “enterovaginal” fistula can be extremely unpleasant and stressful for the person affected.

The fistula can allow stool to enter the vagina, which can lead to fecal incontinence, defecation via the vagina, malodorous discharge and the discharge of flatulence via the vagina. There are also potential inflammations caused by stool in the genital area. It is not uncommon for this to cause further pain, a burning or itching sensation and severe shame, as well as a restricted sex life.

The fistula into the bladder is accompanied by fundamentally different symptoms than the fistula in the bowel. In this case one speaks of so-called “urogenital” fistulas. The main problem of this disease is urinary incontinence.

The urine can pass directly from the bladder or the area of the fistula into the vagina and flow out, as the vagina does not have a suitable sphincter for urinary incontinence. However, the passage of vaginal secretions into the bladder can lead to infections of the urinary tract. Typical here are abdominal pain, burning sensation when urinating and bleeding.

Sometimes the infection can rise up to the renal pelvis, often resulting in a strong feeling of illness, fever and back pain. The formation of fistulas in the bladder is generally less frequent than in the intestines. In newborns, one must think above all of a congenital malformation of the urogenital tract.