How Common Are Vaginal Mesh Complications?
- Last Updated: April 17th, 2025
Attorney Jessica Paluch-Hoerman, founder of TruLaw, has over 28 years of experience as a personal injury and mass tort attorney, and previously worked as an international tax attorney at Deloitte. Jessie collaborates with attorneys nationwide — enabling her to share reliable, up-to-date legal information with our readers.
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy and clarity by the team of writers and legal experts at TruLaw and is as accurate as possible. This content should not be taken as legal advice from an attorney. If you would like to learn more about our owner and experienced injury lawyer, Jessie Paluch, you can do so here.
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TruLaw does everything possible to make sure the information in this article is up to date and accurate. If you need specific legal advice about your case, contact us by using the chat on the bottom of this page. This article should not be taken as advice from an attorney.
Key takeaways:
- Vaginal mesh complications include mesh erosion through the vaginal wall, pelvic pain, painful intercourse, infection, bleeding, and discharge, with erosion being the most commonly reported issue.
- The FDA has issued warnings about transvaginal mesh due to high complication rates, leading many women to seek alternative treatments like biological graft repair or pubovaginal slings.
- Women experiencing mesh complications should maintain routine medical care and watch for warning signs like persistent vaginal bleeding, discharge, recurrent UTIs, and pelvic pain requiring specialist evaluation.
How Common Are Vaginal Mesh Complications?
Question: How common are vaginal mesh complications?
Answer: Vaginal mesh complications occur in approximately 10-15% of patients who undergo transvaginal mesh procedures for pelvic organ prolapse.
The most frequently reported issue is mesh erosion through the vaginal wall, which affects 5-10% of women who receive mesh implants.
Vaginal mesh complications can develop immediately after surgery or emerge years later, leading to ongoing health problems for affected patients.
On this page, we’ll answer this question in further depth, examining the prevalence of vaginal mesh complications, common types of transvaginal mesh complications, and much more.
Documenting Vaginal Mesh Failure Rates
Transvaginal mesh was introduced as a surgical solution for pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence.
The FDA has documented thousands of adverse event reports linked to these mesh implants since their introduction.
Multiple studies show mesh erosion rates ranging from 5-15% with additional complications including pelvic pain, infection, urinary problems, and painful intercourse affecting thousands of women nationwide.
The 2019 FDA ban on transvaginal mesh for pelvic organ prolapse followed years of safety concerns and reflected the serious nature of these complications.
If you or someone you love has experienced complications after receiving vaginal mesh for pelvic organ prolapse or stress urinary incontinence, you may qualify for compensation through filing a lawsuit.
Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation that can determine your eligibility to join others in filing a Vaginal Mesh Complications lawsuit today.
Table of Contents
How Can A Transvaginal Mesh Attorney from TruLaw Help You?
Our Transvaginal Mesh attorney at TruLaw is dedicated to supporting clients through the process of filing a Transvaginal Mesh lawsuit.
With extensive experience in product liability cases, Jessica Paluch-Hoerman and our partner law firms work with litigation leaders and medical experts to prove how defective mesh implants caused you harm.
TruLaw focuses on securing compensation for medical expenses, revision surgeries, pain and suffering, lost income, and other damages resulting from your transvaginal mesh injuries.
We understand the physical and emotional toll that Transvaginal Mesh complications have on your life and provide the personalized guidance you need when seeking justice.
Meet the Lead Transvaginal Mesh Attorney at TruLaw
Meet our lead Transvaginal Mesh attorney:
- Jessica Paluch-Hoerman: As founder and managing attorney of TruLaw, Jessica brings her experience in product liability and personal injury to her client-centered approach by prioritizing open communication and personalized attention with her clients. Through TruLaw and partner law firms, Jessica has helped collect over $3 billion on behalf of injured individuals across all 50 states through verdicts and negotiated settlements.
How much does hiring a Transvaginal Mesh lawyer from TruLaw cost?
At TruLaw, we believe financial concerns should never stand in the way of justice.
That’s why we operate on a contingency fee basis—with this approach, you only pay legal fees after you’ve been awarded compensation for your injuries.
If you or a loved one experienced pain, bleeding, infection, organ perforation, mesh erosion, or other complications from transvaginal mesh implants, you may be eligible to seek compensation.
Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and determine whether you qualify to join others in filing a Transvaginal Mesh lawsuit today.
Common Types of Transvaginal Mesh Complications
Mesh erosion (also called extrusion or exposure) occurs when the synthetic mesh wears through the vaginal tissue, causing the mesh to become visible or protrude through the vaginal wall.
According to multiple studies, this is the most common and consistently reported complication of transvaginal mesh procedures.
Persistent pain following transvaginal mesh placement can dramatically impact patients’ quality of life.
Mesh Erosion: The Most Frequently Reported Issue
The incidence of mesh erosion varies widely depending on the implant type, surgical approach, and study methodology.
In clinical trials, erosion rates range from 0% to 33%, with most recent data showing an average of approximately 10% for vaginal prolapse repair procedures.
For mid-urethral slings used in stress urinary incontinence treatment, the erosion rate is significantly lower, typically 0-7%.
Several factors increasing the risk of mesh erosion include, but are not limited to:
- Patient factors: Advanced age, smoking, diabetes, estrogen deficiency, steroid use, and vaginal atrophy
- Mesh-related factors: Mesh type (Type II and Type IV meshes have higher erosion rates than Type I monofilament macroporous mesh), mesh size, and mesh folding during placement
- Surgical factors: Concomitant hysterectomy, excessive tension on mesh, inadequate vaginal tissue coverage, poor tissue vascularity, and the surgeon’s experience level
Patients with mesh erosion typically present with vaginal bleeding, abnormal discharge, pelvic pain, or dyspareunia (painful intercourse).
Male partners may also experience pain during intercourse (hispareunia) due to contact with the exposed mesh.
Small erosions may be asymptomatic and discovered only during routine examination.
Pelvic Pain and Urinary Complications After Surgery
Pain may occur in the vagina, pelvis, groin, or thigh regions, depending on the type of procedure and mesh placement.
The FDA has issued warnings about the use of transvaginal mesh for pelvic organ prolapse repair due to the high rate of complications, stating in 2011 that “there are clear risks associated with the transvaginal placement of mesh.”
While the FDA has not issued similar concerns about mesh used for stress urinary incontinence treatment, patients should be thoroughly counseled about potential complications before any mesh procedure.
Pain may result from several mechanisms:
- Mesh contraction or shrinkage: Normal scarring can cause the mesh to contract by 25-40%, creating tension on surrounding tissues
- Nerve entrapment: Mesh arms or trocars may entrap or injure nerves during placement
- Mesh erosion: As noted above, this can directly cause pain and discomfort
- Infection: Bacterial colonization of mesh can lead to inflammation and pain
- “Para-urethral banding”: Palpable bands in the urethral folds, particularly after transobturator tape procedures, can cause dyspareunia
The incidence of chronic pain after transvaginal mesh procedures ranges from 1.9% to 24.4% in published studies.
Pain is more common with certain procedures, particularly transobturator slings for stress urinary incontinence, which have been associated with groin and thigh pain in up to 40% of patients in some series.
Mini-slings have shown lower rates of pain complications, typically 0-3.3%.
TruLaw is actively assisting women filing transvaginal mesh lawsuits nationwide.
If you or someone you love has experienced complications related to vaginal mesh removal, you may qualify to seek compensation.
Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation that can determine your eligibility to join others in filing a Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit today.
TruLaw: Accepting Clients for the Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit
Transvaginal mesh lawsuits are being filed by women across the country who suffered serious complications from pelvic mesh implants used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence.
TruLaw is currently accepting clients for the Transvaginal Mesh lawsuit.
A few reasons to choose TruLaw for your Transvaginal Mesh lawsuit include:
- If We Don’t Win, You Don’t Pay: The Transvaginal Mesh lawyers at TruLaw and our partner firms operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if you win.
- Expertise: We have decades of experience handling product liability cases similar to the Transvaginal Mesh lawsuit.
- Successful Track Record: TruLaw and our partner law firms have helped our clients recover billions of dollars in compensation through verdicts and negotiated settlements.
If you or a loved one suffered pain, infection, bleeding, organ damage, or other complications after receiving a transvaginal mesh implant, you may be eligible to seek compensation.
Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation that can determine if you qualify for the Transvaginal Mesh lawsuit today.
Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit Frequently Asked Questions
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How common are vaginal mesh complications?
Vaginal mesh complications occur in approximately 10-15% of patients who undergo transvaginal mesh procedures for pelvic organ prolapse.
The most frequently reported issue is mesh erosion through the vaginal wall, which affects 5-10% of women who receive mesh implants.
Vaginal mesh complications can develop immediately after surgery or emerge years later, leading to ongoing health problems for affected patients.
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What are the common vaginal mesh complications after prolapse surgery?
Vaginal mesh procedures can lead to various complications, including chronic pain, vaginal discharge or bleeding, recurring infections, and pain during intercourse.
More serious issues include mesh exposure, where the mesh protrudes through vaginal tissue, or perforation of nearby organs like the bladder, urethra, or bowel.
These problems may occur immediately after the surgical procedure or develop years later.
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What is the most frequent complication associated with vaginal mesh slings?
Postoperative pain is the most common issue after suburethral sling procedures.
This typically manifests as persistent discomfort in the groin and thigh areas.
Other frequent mesh-related complications include erosion, urinary issues, infection, and painful intercourse, which can substantially impact quality of life.
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What alternatives exist to vaginal mesh for treating pelvic prolapse?
Non-mesh alternatives include biological graft repair using human or animal tissue, pubovaginal slings made from the patient’s own tissue, colposuspension (which can be performed open or laparoscopically), and urethral bulking agent injections.
These options may reduce the risk of problems associated with synthetic mesh complications.
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What symptoms indicate potential mesh erosion or complications?
Symptoms of vaginal mesh erosion include persistent pelvic or vaginal pain, recurrent urinary tract infections, abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding, painful intercourse, and urinary problems like incontinence or difficulty emptying the bladder.
Some patients also report feeling a rough edge or experiencing pain when their partner feels the mesh during intercourse.
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Can vaginal mesh complications develop years after the initial surgery?
es, complications can emerge years after the initial implantation.
Late-developing issues include vaginal mesh exposure, chronic pain, organ perforation, and autoimmune responses.
Many women experience complications 3-7 years post-mesh surgery, highlighting the importance of long-term monitoring and promptly reporting new symptoms to healthcare providers.
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Is mesh commonly used in hysterectomy procedures, and what complications can occur?
Mesh may be used during hysterectomy procedures, particularly when combined with pelvic reconstructive surgery.
Potential complications after hysterectomy include pelvic pain, mesh erosion through vaginal tissue, infection, urinary problems, and painful intercourse.
These complications may require mesh removal surgery to address tissue damage.
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How does tension-free vaginal tape differ from other incontinence treatments?
Tension free vaginal tape is designed to support the urethra and prevent urine leakage during physical activities like coughing or exercising.
Unlike traditional sling procedures, it requires smaller incisions and can often be performed on an outpatient basis.
This approach has become a common option for treating female stress urinary incontinence, though patients should discuss both benefits and risks with their doctor.
Managing Attorney & Owner
With over 25 years of legal experience, Jessica Paluch-Hoerman is an Illinois lawyer, a CPA, and a mother of three. She spent the first decade of her career working as an international tax attorney at Deloitte.
In 2009, Jessie co-founded her own law firm with her husband – which has scaled to over 30 employees since its conception.
In 2016, Jessie founded TruLaw, which allows her to collaborate with attorneys and legal experts across the United States on a daily basis. This hypervaluable network of experts is what enables her to share the most reliable, accurate, and up-to-date legal information with our readers!
You can learn more about the Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit by visiting any of our pages listed below:
Here, at TruLaw, we’re committed to helping victims get the justice they deserve.
Alongside our partner law firms, we have successfully collected over $3 Billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured individuals.
Would you like our help?
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With TruLaw, you gain access to successful and seasoned lawyers who maximize your chances of success. Our lawyers invest in you—they do not receive a dime until your lawsuit reaches a successful resolution!
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Here, at TruLaw, we’re committed to helping victims get the justice they deserve.
Alongside our partner law firms, we have successfully collected over $3 Billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured individuals.
Would you like our help?
