Pelvic mesh is used to treat a range of medical conditions, from incontinence to pelvic organ prolapse. However, like any surgery, undergoing a procedure to have pelvic mesh implanted can have risks. It’s important to understand both the risks of the procedure and as the symptoms of pelvic or bladder mesh problems afterward.

Bladder mesh has a reputation as the go-to surgery to fix urinary incontinence, with a high success rate and few complications, explains Michigan Health.

How is Pelvic Mesh Used to Treat Bladder Problems?

Pelvic mesh is a broad term used to describe mesh that helps treat pelvic floor disorders. When the mesh is used to treat bladder problems, the mesh is often referred to as bladder mesh.

Bladder mesh can help treat stress urinary incontinence (SUI), a condition that can lead to the unintentional release of urine during movement or physical activity. Unfortunately, SUI can occur during relatively benign activities, such as running and heavy lifting, as well as unavoidable ones like sneezing and coughing.

These activities put stress on the bladder, and if there is not enough natural support in this area, the bladder may release urine.

Surgical mesh helps treat these problems by providing additional support in the pelvic region. Mayo Clinic explains that bladder mesh can be inserted via a mid-urethral sling or a mesh sling through the vagina, to support either the neck of the bladder or the urethra.

Is Bladder Mesh Safe?

In 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required companies to stop selling pelvic mesh for pelvic organ prolapse, which may cause patients consternation about the safety of pelvic mesh used to treat other conditions like bladder problems.

According to the FDA’s April 16, 2019, news release, the agency “ordered the manufacturers of all remaining surgical mesh products indicated for the transvaginal repair of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) to stop selling and distributing their products in the U.S. immediately.”

The FDA noted that the restrictions were part of a larger effort to protect consumers from transvaginal mesh risks. The FDA’s order came after Boston Scientific and Coloplast, the affected manufacturers, failed to demonstrate a “reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness for these devices,” according to the FDA’s news release.

Following the FDA’s announcement, the American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS) released a statement acknowledging the fact that bladder mesh complications can happen – despite previous opposition to transvaginal mesh bans.

Dr. Geoffrey Cundiff, the organization’s president, noted that opinions on the issue vary greatly among medical professionals. However, Dr. Cundiff urged doctors to “avoid polarization” and work together to provide “excellent care” to patients affected by pelvic floor issues.

According to AUGS, people experiencing adverse effects from bladder mesh products deserve prompt identification, treatment, and access to providers with the “necessary skills” and education.

Mount Sinai Health System explains that bladder mesh can pose a number of risks. Reportedly, the mesh can erode into organs around where the mesh was placed. It can promote infection or may be rejected because the body considers it a foreign object. In rarer cases, a patient may be allergic to the mesh, and their reactions may develop as the mesh degrades over time.

In other cases, nerves may be damaged during bladder mesh surgery, resulting in a range of issues.

Due to the risks of bladder mesh, some doctors have looked into alternative surgical options to treat pelvic organ prolapse and other conditions previously managed by mesh products.

University of Michigan surgeons have pioneered a procedure eliminating the need for bladder mesh. In this surgery, prolapsed organs are anchored to the body’s own ligaments without the need for mesh or even abdominal incisions.

“We can achieve excellent repair of prolapse without any mesh material at all, and therefore without taking on any of these risks,” said Dr. Megan Schimpf, a University of Michigan associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology and urology.

Although regulatory action and innovative techniques may save women from future pain and complications, those who have already had bladder mesh surgery may currently suffer problems with bladder mesh.

What are the Symptoms of Bladder Mesh Problems?

Though pelvic mesh is used to treat bladder problems and pelvic organ prolapse, bladder mesh surgery can result in a range of issues, including additional bladder problems.

According to Mount Sinai, patients with bladder mesh may experience the following side effects:

• Bladder stones
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Problems urinating or an inability to urinate
• Urgent need to urinate
• Overactive bladder
• Urinary tract infections
• Painful intercourse
• Urethral obstruction (inability to pass urine from kidneys to the bladder)
• Vaginal discharge
• Vaginal bleeding

How are Bladder Mesh Problems Treated?

Mount Sinai explains that treatment for bladder mesh problems varies depending on the type of issues the patient is suffering and how they can best get relief.

Estrogen creams can offer a non-invasive treatment for some mesh problems, while more severe issues, especially if the mesh is damaging the patient’s body, may require the mesh to be removed, Mount Sinai states.

In some cases, it may not be possible to remove all of the mesh because the surrounding nerves could be damaged in the process. If this is the case, medical professionals may attempt to remove as much of the mesh as is safely possible.

Can I File a Bladder Mesh Lawsuit?

A growing number of patients are coming forward with allegations of medical complications they claim were caused by transvaginal mesh devices. According to plaintiffs, they were not adequately warned about the serious risks related to these devices.

If you or someone you love has suffered bladder mesh problems such as chronic pain, vaginal bleeding, or more, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by these complications, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses and lost wages.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, especially while dealing with these kinds of complications, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.