Transvaginal Mesh Side Effects

Vaginal mesh implants are used to treat two conditions that cause female incontinence:

• Pelvic organ prolapse (POP)
• Stress urinary incontinence (SUI)

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) occurs when the muscles supporting the pelvic organs weaken or become damaged. When this occurs, organs such as the bladder, uterus, and bowel drop and press against the vaginal wall.

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is also caused by weakened muscles. The condition results in an inability to prevent the escape of small amounts of urine during stress such as laughing, sneezing, coughing, lifting, or sudden movement.

Court documents estimate that 1 million women have now been implanted with surgical mesh. In 2010, medical researchers found that 15% of women who receive transvaginal mesh devices will experience potential complications.

Most Common Mesh Injuries

In July 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration published findings on the safety of vaginal mesh implants. The agency found a five-fold increase in adverse event reports from 2008 to 2010 over the prior reporting period. Among the most frequent pelvic mesh complications reported to the FDA included:

• vaginal mesh erosion
• pain (including painful sexual intercourse)
• infection
• urinary problems
• bleeding
• organ perforation

The FDA also noted reports of the following complications:

• recurrent prolapse
• neuro-muscular problems
• vaginal scarring
• vaginal shrinkage
• emotional problems

Additional surgical treatment and hospitalization was needed to treat patients in many of the reported cases.

According to the FDA, these injuries can persist even after corrective surgery to remove the mesh implant from the patient. In other words, some side effects may be permanent. Moreover, the agency found that transvaginal POP repair using mesh did not improve clinical outcomes any more than traditional non-mesh repair while at the same time exposing patients to greater risk.

Mesh Lawsuits Allege Failure to Warn of Side Effects

Thousands of vaginal mesh lawsuits are now pending in courts across the United States. Victims and their lawyers allege that the manufacturers of transvaginal mesh implants were aware of significant safety concerns, but failed to adequately warn consumers and healthcare providers.

Several jury verdicts have already been awarded to individual victims of mesh side effects, while settlement discussions are ongoing.

Contact our experienced mesh attorneys at (866) 808-2424 or send a message using our brief online form at any time to learn more and protect your legal rights.