Social media buzzed earlier this week when a lady made a post inferring that a female urinates from her vagina.
Vagina?
A lot of people passed comments that screamed foul of her statement and chided her for passing the wrong information.
Of course, the surface anatomy of the female urogenital system reveals two ‘’holes’’; one up, and one down. The one up is the ‘’urethra’’ where urine passes out exclusively, and the one below is the vagina.
The two functions of both never overlap, except in a common condition known as Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) which is an abnormal opening that forms between the bladder and the wall of the vagina that results in the passage of urine from the vagina.
It can be embarrassing with a nasty smell.
It just doesn’t happen suddenly, don’t fret, but it is usually a complication of the bladder and vaginal surgery, and in some parts of the world, is a rather sad complication of attempts at female genital mutilation (FGM).
It is commoner in younger females or older adults who have had surgery for a type of gynecological cancer or urinary tract infection treatment.
When this is noticed, it’s best to present to the hospital for expert management. The gynecologist would carry out a full genitourinary system examination as well as order tests such as a pelvic X-ray and a contrast CT scan, to determine the extent of damage and to plan the definitive treatment.
See also: PROTECT AND PROVIDE FOR THE FEMALE CHILD
This definitive treatment is mainly gynecological surgery to close off the fistula (abnormal opening), as well as correct other underlying conditions that hitherto led to the development of the fistula, and most times the surgery is usually very successful.
This is a condition that can be largely prevented, especially in young girls. Areas where the archaic practice of the FGM should be educated on its ill effects especially as related to VVF, where affected females suffer more from the psychological consequences such as low self-esteem and depression.
Let’s do more to improve the quality of life of our girls.
Reference:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16442-vesicovaginal-fistula
