Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Pelvic organ prolapse is a common condition that affects millions of women. A prolapse occurs when internal organs in the lower abdomen, such as the bladder, small intestine, uterus or rectum, drop and push against the wall of the vagina. The organs fall because the muscles that support them have been stretched by childbirth, weakened by surgery such as a hysterectomy or for other reasons.
About 4 out of 10 women over age 50 in the U.S. have some sort of prolapse, according to the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Symptoms of a pelvic organ prolapse include loss of bladder control; incontinence when coughing, laughing or sneezing; vaginal pain during sex; and, most commonly, a sensation of pelvic pressure or fullness in the lower abdomen.
Women suffering pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) often undergo surgery to place a transvaginal mesh sling to support the pelvic organs and correct the prolapse. The surgical mesh support system is implanted through the vagina. But many women have experienced serious health complications from placement of transvaginal mesh products. The numerous reports of complications prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2008 and again in 2011 to issue public warnings that transvaginal mesh procedures can cause serious health problems.
If you have or a loved one has suffered adverse health effects from a defective transvaginal mesh product, you need to contact experienced, compassionate lawyers who are advocates for women’s health care. At Blasingame, Burch, Garrard, and Ashley P.C., we understand the medical complications of transvaginal mesh products and accept cases throughout the U.S. There may be compensation that can be secured from a medical products manufacturer for the harm you’ve suffered.
Contact us for a no-obligation review of your case by calling toll-free at 877-312-1753 or using our convenient online form.
More About Pelvic Organ Prolapse
When pelvic organ prolapse occurs, often more than one organ drops. Pelvic organ prolapse has different names depending on the organ involved. They include:
- Cystocele - A fallen bladder is the most common kind of pelvic organ prolapse.
- Rectocele - When the back wall of the vagina weakens, the rectum can shift and extend out of the vaginal opening.
- Enterocele - The small intestine may shift and push the vagina toward the opening, causing a prolapse.
- Vaginal vault prolapse - In women who no longer have a uterus, the top of the vagina may fall into the lower vagina.
When pelvic organ prolapse occurs, women may experience discomfort, pressure, leakage of urine or other urinary difficulties. Sometimes, just the pressure of laughing or coughing can cause leakage of urine. If the symptoms are mild, women may be able to address the prolapse by doing special exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles, avoiding heavy lifting and reducing the intake of caffeine, which is a diuretic, as directed by their doctors.
The Use of Transvaginal Surgical Mesh
Severe pelvic organ prolapse may require surgical repair. The surgery may include the placement of transvaginal surgical mesh, a technique increasingly used in the management of pelvic organ prolapse. However, many women have reported problems after such surgery.
The most frequent complications include inflammation, pain, scarring, urinary problems, and recurrence of the prolapse and incontinence. Some patients also have decreased quality of life, including vaginal scarring, painful sexual intercourse and pain and discomfort due to erosion or contraction of the mesh.
A 2010 study in Obstetrics and Gynecology comparing traditional vaginal prolapse surgery with surgical mesh procedures was terminated because of the high number of complications reported by women receiving transvaginal mesh. The study questioned the value of additive synthetic mesh in vaginal prolapse repairs.
Contact Our Defective Transvaginal Mesh Product Lawyers Today
If you believe you are or a loved one is suffering complications from a transvaginal mesh product, contact us today by calling toll-free at 877-312-1753 or using our convenient online form. A defective transvaginal mesh product attorney from our firm can provide you with a free and confidential evaluation of your case.
Blasingame, Burch, Garrard & Ashley, P.C. is an Athens, Georgia-based law firm that has been widely recognized for our ethics, skill and professionalism by Martindale-Hubbell®, The Best Lawyers in America, American College of Trial Lawyers, Super Lawyers and Law & Politics Media/Atlanta Magazine. Since 2006, our defective transvaginal mesh product lawyers have used their expertise and resources to secure financial compensation for women nationwide who have been injured by defective surgical mesh products.
