International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Obstetric fistula can have a severe impact on a woman's relationships with other people, an expert has warned.

Speaking to Policymic, Meredith Budge of Africare revealed the condition can lead to the "utter loss of status and dignity" in a female.

This can be particularly problematic in the home of sufferers, she noted, as the husband of a woman with obstetric fistula may be put off by the fact his wife can no longer have children.

Ms Budge warned this can lead to "profound psychological trauma" in women who are already "suffering constantly from their physical internal injury".

She added that the baby born to a woman with obstetric fistula is unlikely to survive, with just seven per cent of females with the injury giving birth to a live baby.

According to estimates from the World Health Organization, up to 100,000 women around the world are affected by the condition every year.

Posted by Paul Robertson