Many women have experienced severe infections, tissue erosion and even organ perforation after being treated with mesh implants. If you’re experiencing any complications or side effects from a mesh implant here’s how you can get help.
Getting Help
Women who developed pelvic organ prolapse (POP) or incontinence trusted they could find comfort in a quick and easy fix with a mesh implant. A mesh implant is a hammock looking piece of mesh that’s implanted through the vagina to help support the pelvic organs. What doctors failed to discuss with women were the possible complications that came after surgery was complete. Not only do these complications hurt, they can be difficult to fix.
In 2011 the FDA reported more than 4,000 complaints of injury and death had been made that were associated with mesh implant surgeries that were performed between 2005 and 2010. Today that number has more than tripled. The FDA determined that the complications following a mesh implant surgery were not rare and in fact just the opposite. They concluded that mesh implant procedures do not improve quality of life for patients, but actually expose them to a greater risk.
In early 2015 roughly 70,000 women had filed lawsuits against the mesh manufacturers because of suffering from serious injuries due to their products malfunction.
Serious and Severe Complications
Two of the main problems with mesh implants are erosion and organ perforation. Erosion is when the mesh protrudes through the vaginal wall and will usually require numerous surgeries in order to repair the damage and there’s still no guarantee it will be successful. The mesh can also pierce through nearby organs like the bladder.
Erosion– Refers to the process where the mesh implant tears through a woman’s internal vaginal tissue. Erosions can be extremely painful and have the possibility to lead to exposure or extrusion or protrusion (mesh is visible externally) if not treated immediately. Vaginal erosion can lead to very painful intercourse and in most cases make sex just about impossible. Erosion of mesh through the vagina is the most commonly reported mesh implant complication. Removal of the mesh is the only solution to erosion, but that is not always a possible task. Usually, multiple surgeries are required, and even then mesh pieces may still remain.
Organ Perforation- Defined as the penetration of the vaginal wall or of other organs. As mesh erodes it can puncture other organs like the bladder, urethra and even the bowels. There is a very rare occasion of the mesh puncture occurring during the implantation surgery. The more severe cases of organ perforation can result in bad infections and even difficulty breathing. Surgery is usually always required and could include;
- Mesh Removal
- Bowel Resection
- Colostomy
- Blood Transfusions
Perforated organs can often leak urine or waste into your bloodstream which could cause fatal consequences like, septic shock. Of the thousands of reports to the FDA regarding prolapse mesh surgery, 6 percent involved organ perforation.
Other Complications
Erosion and organ perforation aren’t the only complications associated with mesh implants. Many other complications that have been reported to the FDA are:
- Pelvic, Genital and Groin Pain
- Recurrence of Prolapse
- Incontinence
- Nerve Damage
- Fistulas
- Vaginal Scarring
- Mesh Degrading
- Infections
- UTIs
- Neuro Muscular Complications
- Autoimmune Complications
- Vaginal Bleeding
- Vaginal Shrinkage
- Hematomas
- Blood in Stool and Urine
- Painful Sexual Intercourse
- Urinary Retention
- Bruising
- Vaginal Discharge
Mesh Implant Patient Statements
Women all over the United States are suffering from the effects of mesh implants and this is what a few of them are saying about it.
“This is almost like genocide on women” – Teresa S.
“Not a day goes by that I don’t get numerous emails or calls from other women in the same situation as me and on the verge of dying- I can’t believe this is really happening.” – Diane K.
“I got the surgery because I thought I was making life easier on myself, but the end result was, it just made it worse. A lot worse.” – Carrie P.
“If I could go back in time, I wouldn’t have gotten the mesh implant” – Stacy N.
“It has been the worse pain of my life, I wouldn’t wish this upon my worst enemy.” – Nicole T.
“Some days, I felt like I could barely get out of bed or even walk. It felt like I was walking around with knives inside of me.” – Mary M.
“I was in horrific pain, my pelvic area felt as if it was on fire. Sex was out of the question. I was getting urinary tract infections on a regular basis. I begged for answers from my doctors.” – Christy H.
Have you experienced severe complications from a mesh device, can you relate to what these women are saying? Get the help you need now!