Vaginal Mesh Side Effects Blog

During the 1950s, vaginal mesh were used by physicians as a treatment for abdominal hernias. Then, during the 1970s, it was found out that cutting the meshes into particular shapes enables it to be used on medical conditions like stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) which is mostly experienced by women. The two medical conditions with the help of the mesh was seen as an opportunity by many different manufacturers which is the reason why different designs and configurations were developed.

Different mesh implants were then developed as different manufacturers explored possible materials they think are suitable to be used. In fact, these are even divided into four categories:

• non-absorbable synthetic (e.g., polypropylene or polyester)

• absorbable synthetic (e.g., poly(lactic-co- glycolic acid) or poly(caprolactone)

• biologic (e.g., acellular collagen derived from bovine or porcine sources)

• composite (i.e., a combination of any of the previous three categories)

These mesh implants have made many people’s live easier. But good things never last because serious health problems have affected many women as a result of using these vaginal meshes.

A public warning was made by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) LAST July 2011 regarding a report called “Update on Serious Complications Associated with Transvaginal Placement of Surgical Mesh.” The report contained the side effects linked to these conditions:

• Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP). A condition in which a woman’s reproductive or pelvic organs fall into or through her vaginal opening.

• Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI). A condition marked by the involuntary leakage of urine from a woman’s urethra during moments of physical stress.

Side Effects from the Use of Vaginal Mesh

As reported by records coming from the FDA, erosion is the top complication resulting from vaginal mesh use. This condition happens when the vaginal mesh wears out through the vaginal mucosa. Pains are then experienced by the woman and even her partner when they copulate because the rough and uncomfortable surface of the implant is then exposed. This erosion can only be repaired through multiple surgeries.

Mesh contraction or the shrinking of the vaginal mesh was also reported by a significant number of patients. This is serious because it often results to shortening, tightening and pain in the vagina.

Vaginal mesh use also has other reported side effects such as:The other side effects reported to result from the use of vaginal mesh include:

• Bleeding

• Infection

• Pain

• Urinary problems

• Blood vessel, bladder, or bowel perforation

• Vaginal tightening

• Dyspareunia (pain during sex) caused by vaginal scarring and vaginal mesh erosion

Local and national media are currently exposing the truths about the side effects of vaginal mesh. This has made many manufacturers to face claims from suffering patients.

References:

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/WomensHealth/johnson- johnson-sued-vaginal-mesh-product/story? id=14473688#.TvTcnzX9Pt_

http://www.koco.com/r/29738217/detail.html

http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandN otices/ucm262435.htm