Final answer:
A vesicovaginal fistula is the condition allowing urine to leak into the vagina, caused by a tract between the bladder and the vagina. This is different from urinary incontinence, which encompasses all forms of uncontrolled urine leakage and may have various treatments based on severity and cause.
Step-by-step explanation:
The condition in which urine leaks into the vagina is known as a vesicovaginal fistula. This occurs when an abnormal fistulous tract forms between the bladder and the vagina, allowing the contents of the bladder to bypass the urethra and exit through the vagina. Urinary incontinence is a broader term for uncontrolled leakage of urine and can be caused by various issues, such as stress incontinence due to pelvic floor muscle stretching, or urge incontinence from overactive bladder syndrome. Conditions like urethral diverticulum could cause urinary obstruction, while a cystocele represents a prolapse where the bladder herniates into the vaginal canal. Urinary retention, on the other hand, is the inability to empty the bladder fully, which is quite distinct from urine leakage.
A vesicovaginal fistula often requires surgical intervention to repair the abnormal connection and restore normal urinary function. The management of urinary incontinence, in general, might include pelvic floor strengthening exercises, medications, or surgery depending on the underlying cause and severity of the symptoms.