What Causes Rectovaginal Fistulas?

A rectovaginal fistula is a fistula (pathway or hole) that forms a tunnel between the vagina and rectum. Obviously, as you can have feces leaking into the vagina, rectovaginal fistula symptoms can be very distressing.

A rectovaginal fistula may occur as a complication of Crohn’s disease or other inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or from injury during childbirth. Other rectovaginal fistula causes include cancer or radiation in the pelvic area, or complications after surgery in the pelvic area.

what causes rectovaginal fistulas

Natural Remedy For Rectovaginal Fistulas

Several years ago, I published an experimental treatment for healing fistulas in my book Listen To Your Gut. The great news is we now have a large number of sufferers who have tested this protocol and nearly all have had a marked improvement, with the majority seeing complete healing. So I posted the fistula healing protocol on my blog and as more people tested it, we continued to evolve the protocol into an even more effective treatment.

Recently, I have had a number of women contact me who are suffering terribly from rectovaginal fistulas, (also known as rectovaginal fistulae). This is where the fistula (or hole) is between the vaginal wall and rectal wall – so you can get feces leaking into the vagina. You can imagine the problems this causes.

So recto-vaginal fistula treatment doesn’t just need a tissue healing protocol, you also need a diet that will cause minimal straining during bowel movements and allow for the easy passage of stool. Other vital elements include emotional healing and probiotic supplementation – both orally and vaginally.

Let’s go through the treatments needed one by one…

Rectovaginal Fistula Infection and Tissue Healing Formulas

There are two different types of fistula healing formulas you can apply to your vaginal fistula. The first one, using only wild oregano oil, is the one that most people have used and had good success with. However, there were a few cases that did not respond well enough to this formula, so I developed a stronger formula, incorporating DMSOcolloidal silver and potassium iodide as well. And the stubborn cases have been getting great results with that.

However, since this second formula contains DMSO, you should only use it under strict instructions, after you have been educated about this powerful substance (which instantly transports almost any substance it comes in contact with through the skin). So, although I will give you this new, experimental formula, I will also tell you which of my eBooks you need to get to know how to use and apply it safely.

If your rectovaginal fistula is not currently open, and you have an abscess that is still enclosed, or walled-off, then the first step is to try applying wild oregano oil topically to the infected area. Start at a 6:1 dilution with olive oil (6 drops organic olive oil : 1 drop wild oregano oil), and then increase strength to get it as close to full strength as you can tolerate – only use the brands I recommend, to ensure potency.

Note: when I say ‘full strength wild oregano’ I am NOT referring to the essential oil. I’m referring to commercial brands that have already added the requisite carrier oil to the essential oil.

Apply topically to the site of the abscess, on both sides, through both the rectum and vagina five times per day, and also begin Jini’s Wild Oregano Oil Protocol orally. If you don’t have my wild oregano oil protocol, it is contained in my book, Jini’s Healing Guide: Natural Treatment for Gut Infection.

The easiest way to apply the wild oregano topically is to use your finger to apply to the vaginal area and use a syringe or eye dropper to apply to the rectal area. Of course, you can also use a syringe to apply to the vaginal wall if you prefer – perhaps test both and see which one feels and works better.

If your vaginal fistula infection is towards the front of your vagina, then kneel down in the “hemorrhoid position” like this to apply. Use this same position to apply the formula to your rectum:

natural treatment for rectovaginal fistulas
If your vaginal fistula infection is towards the back of your vagina, then lie on your back, with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.

If this doesn’t work sufficiently to reduce infection after two weeks, then you may want to have your gastroenterologist drain the abscess. If he/she performs this procedure, your GI will want to follow it with oral drug antibiotics.

However, you do have the option of having the abscess drained and then NOT following it with drug antibiotics. You can use oral wild oregano or olive leaf instead – just follow the same protocol given in my book, Jini’s Healing Guide: Natural Treatment for Gut Infection.

If you decide to have it drained, then (if possible) during the procedure, have your doctor syringe it with full strength wild oregano (as much as will go in) after drainage.

Then (regardless of whether he’ll syringe or not), try to get him to leave a drainage tube in place. This will make it very easy for you to syringe it yourself with wild oregano and thereby avoid having to take any prescription antibiotics.

Even if he won’t leave a drainage tube in place, you can still syringe it (syringes are available at your local pharmacy – often dental or oral irrigation syringes work best as they’re long and narrow) through the hole – it’s just more difficult and uncomfortable.

Wild Oregano Syringing Protocol for Fistula:

  • Syringe or apply wild oregano oil to the area of the rectovaginal fistula as directed above, with as close to full strength wild oregano oil as you can tolerate. Start at a 6:1 dilution with olive oil (6 drops organic olive oil : 1 drop wild oregano oil), and then increase in strength to get it as close to full strength wild oregano as you can tolerate. Try to elevate your fistula opening so that the oregano oil stays in the abscess cavity and doesn’t drain back out immediately. Try plugging the drainage hole with a piece of sterile gauze, or something, to block it closed for 20 minutes after syringing, then remove and let it drain. Most people have been using a 10 ml syringe, but even 5 ml (depending on how much you can get in there) is likely sufficient. As mentioned, a long thin syringe, or oral irrigation syringe often work best. For detailed information on wild oregano and detailed instructions on how to prepare a dilution, see my eBook What You Need To Know About Wild Oregano Oil – download it for free above.
  • Syringe or apply every 2 hours for the first 24 hours (when you’re asleep at night, let it go 4 hours).
  • Then every 4 hours for the next 24 hours.
  • Then 4 times per day thereafter until infection is completely gone.
  • Then 2 times per day for 10 days (yes, this is AFTER there is no infection left).
  • Then allow the hole to close (if it hasn’t already) by removing the drainage tube and continue applying topically for a month, 3 times a day.

Throughout this whole regimen, continue with the oral wild oregano and probiotics, as per Jini’s Wild Oregano Oil Protocol – given in my eBook, Jini’s Healing Guide: Natural Treatments for Gut Infection.

* A big thank-you to my brother, Millan Patel MD, MSc, who helped me develop the syringing part of this protocol.

Speed Fistula Healing With An Infrared Laser

One of my readers has improved upon this protocol by using an infrared laser as well, to cause the wild oregano to penetrate more deeply and also to speed healing. So be sure and read this article as well before beginning treatment. For rectovaginal fistula healing, you will want to get the Doctor’s Red Laser  with the dental attachment – which is a thin, clear tube you can then insert into your vagina for treatment. 

natural treatment for rectovaginal fistulas

More Potent Syringing Formula

We have also recently started testing this turbo-charged, very powerful formula to heal fistulas or abscesses. But these are experimental and you need to be educated about DMSO in order to use it safely (beyond the scope of this article). I provide full instructions on DMSO handling and usage in a number of my eBooks, but perhaps the most relevant one for you to get would be: Jini’s Healing Guide: Natural Treatments for Anal Stenosis and Stricture.

Formula A – Regular Strength

15 ml (1 tbsp.) George’s Aloe Vera Juice
10 ml (2 tsp.) 99% DMSO
5 ml (1 tsp.) potassium iodide (SSKI)
10 ml (2 tsp.) colloidal silver (minimum 22 ppm)
10 ml (2 tsp.) wild oregano oil

This would give you a 20% DMSO formula. So far, people have reported good results with this formula, BUT, if it’s not strong enough, then increase the wild oregano and decrease the aloe vera as shown in Formula B.

Formula B – Extra Strength

10 ml (2 tsp.) George’s Aloe Vera Juice
10 ml (2 tsp.) 99% DMSO
5 ml (1 tsp.) potassium iodide (SSKI)
10 ml (2 tsp.) colloidal silver (minimum 22 ppm)
15 ml (3 tsp.) wild oregano oil

IMPORTANT: You must read this post on DMSO safety first! How to apply it, safety guidelines, etc. before beginning treatment. Do NOT attempt these DMSO-based formulas without reading the safety instructions. Also, do not use brands other than the ones I recommend. If you don’t want to buy online, just copy down the brand names and get your local health store to order them in for you.

One of my readers had a fistula from his intestine that was draining out his belly button and after only a few days of using this formula topically (Formula A), along with my oral Intestinal StrictureHeal formula (which has similar ingredients, but is swallowed by mouth), here’s the report of his progress (after colonoscopy):

“Other good news, Jon’s stomach and duodenum were completely clear. There was a nodule at the base of the stomach where the doc thinks the fistula track may have run. He could not find a hole anymore, nor could he see a hole in the transverse colon. His belly button is still oozing slightly but we are hopeful that the absence of visible holes on the inside means it is healing as it should from the inside out.”

Vaginal Probiotic Paste to Aid Healing

Using this Natren probiotic paste in your vagina will help heal infection and establish a healthy bacterial flora in your vagina.

Apply once nightly before going to bed.

  • Sanitize your work area prior to making the paste, with sanitizing wipes or a white vinegar & water solution.
  • First wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water and dry hands thoroughly. Have finger protectors or medical gloves handy since you will be making a paste to insert into vagina.
  • Use Natren’s Megadophilus (dairy or dairy-free). Place 1 teaspoon (1 capsule equals ½ teaspoon, so open 2 capsules and follow the same directions) in the palm of your clean, washed-and-dried hand. Add a few drops of filtered unchilled water to form a smooth lump-free paste (avoid adding too much water, which will make the preparation too runny).
  • With your index finger protector or medical glove on your hand, scrape up the paste and insert into your vagina. Ideally, do it last thing before bed, so you don’t need to urinate and the paste can work undisturbed for at least a few hours.

Also take 1 serving Megadophilus orally, 3x/day. Or 2 capsules Healthy Trinity orally, per day.

This procedure should be followed for 1 to 2 weeks until improved urinary and vaginal health has been reached. This recommendation for healthy vaginal and urinary tract flora is due to the unprecedented change in the status of women’s vaginal and urinary tract microbiome. This regimen may also assist with fertility problems.

*Updated from original work with Dr. Calvin J. Hobel MD Miriam Jacobs Chair and Director Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Pediatrics, UCLA School of Medicine.

Fistula Healing Diet

In order to speed healing of a rectovaginal fistula or rectovaginal fistulae, you want to either minimize fecal matter using an elemental diet (where all the ingredients are pre-digested), or you want to eat as mild and mushy a diet as possible.

At the very least, you want to use a stool softening and bulking agent to make your bowel movements as easy as possible, like ColonEaze. ColonEaze is all-natural, mostly organic, with no fillers/flow agents etc – my ideal blend of “binding” or bulking & softening agents, along with targeted gentle herbs.

natural treatment for rectovaginal fistulas

Emotional Healing for Recto-Vaginal Fistula

As with all healing, you will have the fastest results and the greatest chance of long-term healing if you simultaneously heal the emotional stressors or contributors to your dis-ease, or imbalance.

Because a rectovaginal fistula is a problem that affects the vagina, I would look first to sexual abuse or sexual boundary issues and woundings. Because it is an illness occurring at the root of your body, I would also look at the ways you do not feel that the world is a safe place.

Whichever therapy or method you choose to explore and heal your emotional woundings, make sure it is a method that integrates the mind with the body – not just talk therapy. Modalities involving the acupuncture meridians (like EFT or TFT), hypnosis, Somatic Experiencing, Craniosacral therapy, Somato-emotional Release, etc. work best.

I have created a course called Lazer Tapping with resources and help to get you started on this piece of your Healing Journey. I encourage you to join me for a free session to see how it makes you feel.

Lazer Tapping is my version of EFT or acupressure tapping – and it has been the cornerstone of not only healing myself physically, but also healing relationships (even abusive ones), and unleashing my talents.

You’ve heard speakers and successful people say, over and over again, that the ONLY thing holding us back in life, is ourselves. IT’S TRUE. And this course will teach you how to laser-focus in on your particular blocks and saboteurs and release them.

Where Do You Start?

I know, I’ve given you a lot of new information. So the place to start is by reading everything and educating yourself fully before you begin – this will give you the highest chance of success.

In addition to the vaginal fistula healing protocol here, I also provide further detailed instructions here:

2. How to Use Infrared Lasers to Speed Healing of Fistulas

3. Amy’s story: How She Used Jini’s Natural Remedy and Infrared Lasers to Heal Her Son’s Perianal Abscess

Next, you need to buy your supplies (ONLY the brands I recommend – do NOT substitute or you will not have the same results!). 

Also buy any of the additional books that you need; based on whether you need an oral natural antibiotic, or you want to try the new experimental DMSO-based formulas. 

Get a 5 to 10 ml syringe, either regular or dental (oral irrigation syringe) and clean it with hot soapy water after each use. Also buy an infrared laser if you wish.

Use a healing diet during this fistula treatment period, or at least use something to bulk and soften your stool like ColonEaze

Apply the vaginal probiotic paste to assist with healing infection.

Last (or first!) address the emotional wounding carried in this part of your body.