Vaginal mesh removal can be as difficult as removing chewing gum from hair, says one doctor who has seen the damage the plastic can do.

For several years, a variety of plastic mesh implants have been used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence in women. But few women think that that they must eventually also undergo vaginal mesh removal.

Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when an internal organ, usually the bladder, falls from its original position inside the body and pushes on the walls of the vagina.

Stress urinary incontinence is a term used for the leakage of urine upon coughing, sneezing or strenuous physical activity.

Women around the world say that vaginal mesh implantation has destroyed their lives, and even their marriages.

Debilitating Pain Prompts Vaginal Mesh Removal

One 54-year-old woman who had ridden motorcycles since she was 16 years old relies on a wheelchair because of excruciating pain caused by vaginal mesh, says an article published Aug. 4, 2017 by The Daily Mail’s website.

Lizzy F. was implanted with vaginal mesh for her stress urinary incontinence in June 2010. Her intense pain began immediately, impeding her ability to walk. At one point, a doctor sent Lizzy to a psychiatrist because he believed the pain was psychosomatic.

Her pain shot through her leg and up around her groin and hip area.

She tried multiple pain remedies and medications, but nothing relieved her misery. Lizzy said her nightmare of pain, immobility and opiates played a large part in the disintegration of her marriage.

She finally convinced doctors to conduct a vaginal mesh removal, but Lizzy’s side effects remain. She calls the mesh a poison that broke her down.

Vaginal Mesh Removal Due to Complications

According to the UCLA Health website, nearly 10 percent of women will experience pelvic organ prolapse that requires surgery. Of the women who undergo the surgery, 13 percent will need another operation within five years.

The FDA says the most frequent adverse effects of vaginal mesh are infection, pain and urinary problems, including increased frequency.

The mesh also can break away from its original implantation site of the vaginal wall. The plastic mesh can erode and settle into surrounding tissue and organs where scar tissue can adhere the mesh to unintended organs.

Vaginal mesh removal is complicated not only because the mesh was meant to be permanent, but also because the plastic can deteriorate, making it nearly impossible to retrieve all of the small pieces. Scar tissue grows in and around the mesh over time, making vaginal mesh removal without causing more internal damage a challenge as well.

Vaginal scarring can lead to painful intercourse, adding further negative impact to the patient’s quality of life.

If you or someone you love has undergone surgery to repair pelvic organ prolapse or stress urinary incontinence and needed a vaginal mesh removal, you could benefit from speaking to a lawyer regarding your options for compensation. Several successful lawsuits have been filed against the makers of vaginal mesh who knew or should have known that vaginal mesh removal would be necessary because of painful complications.