Symptoms of pelvic mesh problems, according to the Cleveland Clinic, can be varied. They can include pain during sex, generalized vaginal pain from mesh contraction shortening the birth canal, gynecological infection, and genital bleeding unrelated to the menstrual cycle.

Additional pelvic mesh complications, as indicated in the report, might also be urinary difficulties, erosion or breakage of the material—allowing it to protrude through the vagina or otherwise be exposed, and a return of the condition for which it was employed.

What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)?

The Cleveland Clinic article identifies one of the most common conditions for which mesh is used in female reconstructive surgery—pelvic organ prolapse. With POP, key pelvic organs including the bladder, urethra, uterus, or rectum ‘fall’ into the vagina due to an inherent weakness of supportive connective tissue and muscles of the pelvic floor.

Most often a disease which shows up in older women, factors making POP’s development more likely include previous pregnancy, childbirth, and hysterectomy.

Are There Other Female Conditions In Which Mesh Is Used to Treat?

According to Marin General Hospital, stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is the second most common condition for which mesh is used. With SUI, any extra pressure on the bladder region descending from the diaphragm or abdominal muscles is likely to cause the patient to lose control of the flow of urine in small amounts.

This added pressure can be placed on the bladder through coughing, laughing, sneezing, or even routine exercise. Other types of bladder function issues that can also be related to an overall weakening of the pelvic floor and are urge incontinence, overactive bladder, overflow incontinence, and transient incontinence.

What Is Pelvic Mesh Made Of?

Surgical mesh is a screen-like material that comes in synthetic and biologic varieties. Synthetic surgical mesh, according to the Cleveland Clinic, can be made from polypropylene, polyglycolic acid or polycaprolactone, or be merged in a combination with natural tissue sources from cows or pigs which have been sterilized.

A big categorical difference between types of surgical mesh is whether it is intended to be a short term strengthening device that the body will eventually absorb and compensate for or whether it is intended to be a permanent fixture in the body. For use with female reconstructive surgeries, the most common type is non-absorbable synthetic polypropylene.

How Common Are Pelvic Floor Disorders?

As indicated by UCLA Health, a pelvic floor disorder occurs in about one in every three women during their lifetime, although many ‘suffer in silence’ and chalk the problems up to a normal part of aging. The Cleveland Clinic reports that in 2010, 300,000 women had surgery for POP and another 250,000 underwent similar procedures for SUI. Of the first figure, 100,000 patients’ treatment involved the use of mesh and, of the second figure, 200,000 females had mesh utilized.

What If I Want To Avoid the Risk of developing Pelvic Mesh Complications?

Surgery using mesh is not the only option for patients suffering from a pelvic floor disorder. While mesh has been successfully used in the vast majority of cases, there have been problems linked to transvaginal mesh. In fact, a number of women who suffered complications have won millions in transvaginal mesh lawsuits.

Other lifestyle changes might be recommended by your specialist. Among these might be the elimination of tobacco use, getting to and maintaining a healthy weight, doing pelvic floor exercises, avoiding certain foods, and manipulating a hydration schedule to reduce undo bladder leakage.