What does UGF mean in PHYSIOLOGY

Symptoms of a urogenital fistula include pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis, unusual discharge from the vagina, frequent urination or difficulty emptying the bladder, and involuntary urine leakage when coughing or straining.

Yes, a urogenital fistula can cause pelvic infection and scarring, chronic urinary retention or infection, kidney damage, infertility, depression due to psychological distress from uncontrollable urine leakage, and other dangerous medical conditions if left untreated.

Urogenital fistulas are usually caused by complications during childbirth such as prolonged labor or an infection that spreads throughout the reproductive organs. Other causes include medical procedures such as surgery on the bladder or pelvic organs, radiation therapy for cancer treatments in this region, trauma from car accidents or anything that caused direct physical injury to these areas.

Women who have had traumatic childbirth especially multiple births are most at risk for developing a urogenital fistula. Also women who experienced domestic violence where their genitals were injured are at higher risk for developing one. Additionally anyone who has had radiation therapy to their pelvis/abdomen area may be susceptible to developing one as well