What are some causes of fistulas?

Some causes of fistula includes Crohn’s disease, injuries during childbirth, surgery involving the rectum, anus, vagina or perineum, and cancer or radiation treatment around the pelvic area, according to the Mayo Clinic. Other causes may be vaginal injury, diverticulitis or ulcerative colitis.

There are various types of fistula, and they include vesicovaginal, rectovaginal, colovaginal and enterovaginal. A fistula may lead to uncontrollable soiling problems. Symptoms of fistula include foul-smelling discharge, sore genitals and fluid leaking from the vagina or anus. Identification of fistula may require tests such as a dye test, CT scan, X-ray scan or MRI, according to WebMD.