If you’re living with a pelvic floor disorder, you’ve likely heard of treatments involving mesh. However, reports about complications might have you confused or hesitant to seek treatment. Understand how mesh is used and the possible complications.

What is surgical mesh?

Surgical mesh is a medical product that is used to provide extra support when repairing weakened or damaged tissue. Most surgical mesh is made from synthetic materials or animal tissue.

How is surgical mesh used to treat pelvic floor disorders?

Surgical mesh can be used to treat:

• Pelvic organ prolapse (POP). When the muscles and ligaments supporting your pelvic organs weaken, the pelvic organs can fall out of place and bulge down in the vagina (pelvic organ prolapse). To treat POP, surgical mesh can be implanted to reinforce the weakened vaginal wall. Surgery can be done through the abdomen using mesh or through the vagina without the use of mesh. Surgery through the vagina using mesh is no longer an option.
• Stress urinary incontinence (SUI). This is the unintentional loss of urine due to a physical movement or activity — such as coughing, sneezing, running or heavy lifting — that puts pressure (stress) on your bladder. Surgical mesh urethral slings can be implanted through the vagina to support the bladder neck or the tube that carries urine from your body (urethra). This is known as a midurethral sling or a mesh sling procedure.

What are the safety concerns about use of surgical mesh to treat pelvic floor disorders?

Each use of mesh carries its own risks and benefits.

Use of surgical mesh through the vagina to treat POP has been associated with higher rates of mesh-related complications, including mesh poking through the vaginal skin, pelvic pain and pain with intercourse. In 2019, the FDA ordered manufacturers of surgical mesh for the transvaginal repair of POP to stop selling and distributing their products in the U.S. If you’ve had transvaginal mesh placed for the surgical repair of POP, continue with your routine care. If you have complications or symptoms, talk to your doctor.

What questions should I ask before seeking a mesh treatment for a pelvic floor disorder?

If you’re considering treatment for a pelvic floor disorder that involves surgical mesh, be sure to have your doctor explain all of your options, as well as their possible risks and benefits.

Sept. 15, 2020

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