Vaginal Mesh Complications Might Impact Device Sales, Studies Say

Vaginal mesh is a device that has looked promising in some patients in the treatment of conditions such as stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, but it has been giving a number of patients a lot of trouble. Significant side effects have come to light as more and more doctors are thinking twice before deciding to use the mesh on patients. According to a study conducted by Millennium Research Group, sales of vaginal mesh have declined recently and are expected to do so more in the future because of vaginal mesh complications. Some patients are even looking into taking legal action after experiencing vaginal mesh complications.

Mesh devices were released into the United States medical market in 1996, approved to treat stress urinary incontinence. The Food and Drug Administration approved the devices to treat pelvic organ prolapse in 2002, increasing the target market of the vaginal mesh devices. Ongoing pain, urinary incontinence, and painful intercourse are among the side effects patients are now worried about as more and more information about vaginal mesh complications comes to light. 

A number of lawsuits have been filed by vaginal mesh lawyers representing vaginal mesh patients across the country. These patients have experienced vaginal mesh complications and are worried about the costs and future of their medical health. 

According to the Millennium Research Group study, vaginal mesh sales declined by 15 percent in 2011, ostensibly because of poor clinical outcomes, an increasing number of vaginal mesh lawsuits, and a notice by the food and Drug Administration warning of vaginal mesh complications. The survey included 181 health care professionals, including 130 who have used or are currently using vaginal mesh to treat both conditions that it is approved for. The consensus overall is that medical professionals have less faith in the device as a whole based on the high number of complications many of them have seen. 

Vaginal mesh lawyers for plaintiffs who have chosen to file lawsuits regarding the product are likely to bring up the Food and Drug Administration's summer 2011 warning regarding the high number of vaginal mesh complications. These complications are higher in women who used the mesh for pelvic organ prolapse as opposed to stress urinary incontinence.