Transvaginal Mesh Overview

For decades, medical professionals have been using a product called transvaginal mesh to help treat weakened pelvic muscles, a common complication following childbirth, menopause and surgeries, such as hysterectomies. The mesh-like device is called transvaginal because it is inserted through the vagina instead of through the abdominal cavity.

Transvaginal mesh primarily treats two types of conditions — pelvic organ prolapse, known as POP, and stress urinary incontinence, known as SUI. Also called pelvic floor disorder, POP is a condition in which the tissues holding pelvic muscles in place become too weak or stretched out to work properly, enabling organs to drop out of place and fall into the vagina and sometimes past the vaginal opening. SUI is a condition in which a woman leaks urine when the bladder is under pressure, as is the case when performing exercises, coughing, sneezing or even laughing.

The surgical mesh, which is a sling-like device made into a supportive netting, is placed in the body vaginally because it is believed to be quicker, easier and less invasive than opening up the pelvic region for surgery. Although some women never experience adverse side effects of the transvaginal mesh, a staggering amount have been subject to various complications, including damage to pelvic organs during implantation or side effects ranging from infection, the reoccurrence of pre-surgical conditions, erosion of the mesh through the vaginal wall and pain or discomfort while sitting, walking or engaging in sexual intercourse.

If you or a loved one have been injured by transvaginal mesh, contact our team of lawyers to help assert your legal rights.