So I had an email asking if I would share this article on my website. I thought about it and about the reasons for starting a blog. I decided that the reasons I wanted to write a blog was to share my story with you all, to stay connected and share what I am up to lately, but also to educate. I am very passionate about the work I get to do as a doula and all you need to do is ask a tiny question about birth, babies, or birth related topics and I'm off like a shot; talking non stop and very adamantly about all that I believe in. So here I am sharing another's article to help spread awareness. This is new info to me and I am still learning as well, perhaps you'd like to join me in learning something new?
Transvaginal Mesh: Risks Outweigh the Benefits
The risks of transvaginal mesh in the correction of Pelvic Organ
Prolapse (POP) and Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) likely outweigh its
benefits. Even the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seems to agree.
For decades, medical device manufacturershave marketed synthetic
and biologic mesh materials in the United States and around the globe. Over the
past decade, even well-respected medical journals published in the United States
and Europe hailed the success of transvaginal mesh and its abilities to correct,
or greatly improve, the negative side effects of both POP and SUI. The problem?
Most of these vaginal mesh products never passed any clinical trials prior to
their approval by the FDA.
The majority of transvaginal mesh products were approved under the
FDA's 510(k) "fast-track" program, in which medical devices can be approved
based on their similarity to already-approved products. The manufacturer that
paved the way for the approval of mesh products participated in a voluntary
transvaginal mesh recall after safety
concerns related to mesh use surfaced.
Synthetic mesh has been successfully used to treat abdominal hernias
for decades. Researchers assumed it would have equal success in the support of
reproductive organs and connective tissues that are compromised by POP.
Unfortunately, there have been thousands of cases of complications
associated with the use of this product, and more continue to be
reported.
Complications Associated with Transvaginal Mesh
The complications associated with transvaginal mesh are broad, and many
of them are due to the mesh's tendency to erode and protrude into tender vaginal
tissues. This erosion causes the bulk of the serious health
risks.
Complications also can include:
· Pain during sexual intercourse
· Pain or discomfort in vaginal tissues and/or the pelvic region
· Unusual bleeding or discharge
· Constipation
· Discomfort while having a bowel movement
· Incontinence
· A pulling or tugging sensation, caused if mesh begins to shrink or contract, pulling
reproductive tissues with it
It can take multiple revision surgeries for these issues to be
repaired. In some cases, women are left with permanent physical and emotional
damage. In fact, some women may be eligible for substantial legal settlements
due to the long-term damage produced by vaginal mesh materials; hundreds of
transvaginal mesh lawsuits are already being consolidated.
The International Community is at Risk from Transvaginal Mesh
The FDA has issued serious warnings about the high levels of
complications reported in regards to transvaginal mesh. Johnson & Johnson
and other major manufacturers are beginning to pull their products from the
U.S. market. The downside is that some companies, such as Bard, are continuing
to sell their products overseas.
Complications associated with vaginal mesh products do not discriminate
according to country borders. It is important the international community of
women understand three important facts:
· Surgical intervention is not necessarily needed. There are effective non-invasive
procedures that should be tried before resorting to surgery. Women should find a
doctor who supports surgery only as a last resort.
· There are alternatives to transvaginal mesh. Natural grafting materials, including a
patient's own tissues, can be equally effective in treating POP and have fewer
serious side effects.
· Women have the right to a caring doctor. Any doctor who immediately suggests surgical
intervention, especially for mild to moderate POP or SUI symptoms, should be
questioned.
Anyone who has had transvaginal mesh products used in a corrective
surgery should remain diligent in maintaining physical examinations and report
any adverse symptoms immediately. Transvaginal mesh is not the wonder material
it was originally reported to be; its risks far outweigh its
benefits.
How to Treat Prolapse
While surgical procedures can help with prolapse, those that use transvaginal mesh are
known to have serious complications. Mesh can erode or shrink, leaving sharp
edges that can perforate nearby organs. When the vaginal wall is perforated, sex
can be nearly impossible—painful for both women and their
partners.
Women considering surgery should discuss non-mesh surgical options with
their doctor. However, surgery is not always the best or safest option. Doctors
may suggest the use of a vaginal pessary to support prolapsed organs. This will
not cure prolapse, but will relieve symptoms.
Pelvic physiotherapy is a specialized brand of physical therapy
designed to address pelvic floor disorders, reproductive issues and women’s
health. Therapists often use biofeedback therapy to help isolate the pelvic
floor and identify the areas that need work. They use pelvic massage, manual
stimulation, work to relieve the downward pressure caused by poor posture and
educate women.
The risks of transvaginal mesh in the correction of Pelvic Organ
Prolapse (POP) and Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) likely outweigh its
benefits. Even the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seems to agree.
For decades, medical device manufacturershave marketed synthetic
and biologic mesh materials in the United States and around the globe. Over the
past decade, even well-respected medical journals published in the United States
and Europe hailed the success of transvaginal mesh and its abilities to correct,
or greatly improve, the negative side effects of both POP and SUI. The problem?
Most of these vaginal mesh products never passed any clinical trials prior to
their approval by the FDA.
The majority of transvaginal mesh products were approved under the
FDA's 510(k) "fast-track" program, in which medical devices can be approved
based on their similarity to already-approved products. The manufacturer that
paved the way for the approval of mesh products participated in a voluntary
transvaginal mesh recall after safety
concerns related to mesh use surfaced.
Synthetic mesh has been successfully used to treat abdominal hernias
for decades. Researchers assumed it would have equal success in the support of
reproductive organs and connective tissues that are compromised by POP.
Unfortunately, there have been thousands of cases of complications
associated with the use of this product, and more continue to be
reported.
Complications Associated with Transvaginal Mesh
The complications associated with transvaginal mesh are broad, and many
of them are due to the mesh's tendency to erode and protrude into tender vaginal
tissues. This erosion causes the bulk of the serious health
risks.
Complications also can include:
· Pain during sexual intercourse
· Pain or discomfort in vaginal tissues and/or the pelvic region
· Unusual bleeding or discharge
· Constipation
· Discomfort while having a bowel movement
· Incontinence
· A pulling or tugging sensation, caused if mesh begins to shrink or contract, pulling
reproductive tissues with it
It can take multiple revision surgeries for these issues to be
repaired. In some cases, women are left with permanent physical and emotional
damage. In fact, some women may be eligible for substantial legal settlements
due to the long-term damage produced by vaginal mesh materials; hundreds of
transvaginal mesh lawsuits are already being consolidated.
The International Community is at Risk from Transvaginal Mesh
The FDA has issued serious warnings about the high levels of
complications reported in regards to transvaginal mesh. Johnson & Johnson
and other major manufacturers are beginning to pull their products from the
U.S. market. The downside is that some companies, such as Bard, are continuing
to sell their products overseas.
Complications associated with vaginal mesh products do not discriminate
according to country borders. It is important the international community of
women understand three important facts:
· Surgical intervention is not necessarily needed. There are effective non-invasive
procedures that should be tried before resorting to surgery. Women should find a
doctor who supports surgery only as a last resort.
· There are alternatives to transvaginal mesh. Natural grafting materials, including a
patient's own tissues, can be equally effective in treating POP and have fewer
serious side effects.
· Women have the right to a caring doctor. Any doctor who immediately suggests surgical
intervention, especially for mild to moderate POP or SUI symptoms, should be
questioned.
Anyone who has had transvaginal mesh products used in a corrective
surgery should remain diligent in maintaining physical examinations and report
any adverse symptoms immediately. Transvaginal mesh is not the wonder material
it was originally reported to be; its risks far outweigh its
benefits.
How to Treat Prolapse
While surgical procedures can help with prolapse, those that use transvaginal mesh are
known to have serious complications. Mesh can erode or shrink, leaving sharp
edges that can perforate nearby organs. When the vaginal wall is perforated, sex
can be nearly impossible—painful for both women and their
partners.
Women considering surgery should discuss non-mesh surgical options with
their doctor. However, surgery is not always the best or safest option. Doctors
may suggest the use of a vaginal pessary to support prolapsed organs. This will
not cure prolapse, but will relieve symptoms.
Pelvic physiotherapy is a specialized brand of physical therapy
designed to address pelvic floor disorders, reproductive issues and women’s
health. Therapists often use biofeedback therapy to help isolate the pelvic
floor and identify the areas that need work. They use pelvic massage, manual
stimulation, work to relieve the downward pressure caused by poor posture and
educate women.