Vaginal mesh is a medical device that is commonly used to treat urinary incontinence in women. While this procedure is touted as safe, the fact remains that numerous women have experienced significant complications, including debilitating pain and discomfort. These effects are so serious that some women have even elected to file lawsuits claiming citing negligent medical care.
According to CBS News, vaginal or pelvic mesh has been cited in tens of thousands of lawsuits since its approval. Along with claimants in the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom, a group of women in Australia have recently filed suit over claims that these medical devices caused serious harm. Allegations state that the U.S. manufacturer Johnson & Johnson failed to fully disclose the risks associated with these devices and that testing was not comprehensive. Out of the nine devices cited in the lawsuit, Johnson & Johnson has removed five from the market. Additionally, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration recently changed the classification of vaginal mesh from moderate to high-risk.
The Mayo Clinic provides detail on some of the complications listed in the patient lawsuits. For women suffering from pelvic organ prolapse, the application of mesh may result in a worsening of incontinence, perforation of organs, and pain during sex. Other effects include infection, eroded mesh (which impacts surrounding tissues), and irregular bleeding. Complications usually require further surgery to remedy these issues.
Vaginal mesh is also used to address stress urinary incontinence. This occurs when physical stress is put on a bladder, which can result in an inadvertent release of urine. In this case, vaginal mess can cause infections, pain, and mesh can become eroded. While these effects can also be uncomfortable, they’re often less severe when compared to mesh procedures for pelvic prolapse. If you’ve experienced complications after vaginal mesh surgery, speaking with an attorney is recommended so you can explore all your options.