Diagnosis & Treatment of Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF)

Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) is rare but treatable. With the right care and treatment, many women make a full recovery.

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🩺 How VVF is Diagnosed

If you have symptoms such as constant leakage of urine from the vagina, your GP can refer you to a specialist.

Common tests include:

• Dye test – a coloured liquid (such as blue dye) is placed in the bladder to see if it leaks into the vagina.
• Cystoscopy – a small camera is used to look inside the bladder.
• Imaging tests (ultrasound, CT, MRI) – sometimes used to check the bladder and surrounding tissues.

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🏥 NHS Specialist Centres

VVF is usually managed in specialist urogynaecology or urology centres across the UK. These are sometimes called super-centres because of their expertise and experience.

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✨ Treatment Options

• Surgical repair
  • Most women will need an operation to close the fistula.
  • This may be done through the vagina (vaginal repair) or the abdomen (abdominal repair).
  • Success rates are high in UK specialist centres.
• Catheterisation
  • In very small or newly developed fistulas, a catheter left in the bladder for several weeks may allow the tissue to heal naturally.
• Supportive care
  • Managing infections, protecting skin from irritation, and providing emotional support are also important parts of treatment.

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💜 Recovery & Outlook

• Many women are able to return to normal life after successful repair.
• Recovery time varies, but most women see significant improvement in quality of life once the fistula is closed.
• Emotional recovery takes time too — support networks like VVF Support UK can help.

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✅ Key Takeaway

VVF can be diagnosed with simple tests and is often successfully treated with surgery at specialist NHS centres. If you have symptoms, don’t wait — seek help.

🌸 At VVF Support UK, we are here to provide information, peer support, and advocacy so you feel supported every step of the way.

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