Vaginal Mesh

Vaginal mesh (also called pelvic mesh or transvaginal mesh) is a small, net-like device made of synthetic or biological materials. It is surgically implanted through the vagina to support and reinforce weakened tissues that cause pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence. Women may experience these conditions after childbirth or menopause.

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) occurs when the bladder, uterus or rectum protrudes into the vaginal wall, causing discomfort and pain. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is the involuntary leakage of urine when a person coughs, sneezes or exercises.

For some women, vaginal mesh led to painful complications that required additional surgery.

What Is Vaginal Mesh Used For?

Vaginal mesh is designed to provide extra support to weakened pelvic tissues and prevent the organs from prolapsing or leaking. This device can reinforce a weakened vaginal wall or support the urethra or bladder neck. The term “transvaginal” refers to the surgical approach doctors use to implant the device through the vagina.

The mesh gained popularity in the 1990s for treating bladder leaks and POP, but reports of complications led to FDA warnings. Ultimately, the agency banned mesh for transvaginal prolapse repair in 2019.

Several companies have produced vaginal mesh products that were later linked to complications like mesh erosion and pelvic pain. Manufacturers include Johnson & Johnson, Boston Scientific and Bard.

These companies and others have faced transvaginal mesh lawsuits because of complications associated with their products. Most of these lawsuits have been resolved with billions in estimated settlements, but women continue to contact lawyers and file lawsuits in 2026.

According to New Jersey court documents from April 2026, Ethicon and Bard face hundreds of active lawsuits in the state’s multicounty litigation (MCL) system.

Transvaginal Mesh Manufacturers and Brands

Because of the FDA’s 2016 reclassification of POP mesh as a high-risk device and the agency’s requirement for additional safety studies, several companies have ended pelvic mesh production. In 2024, the FDA determined mini-slings for SUI were as effective as traditional mid-urethral slings, but it didn’t say anything about safety risks. As of May 2026, it hasn’t provided updates on any new pelvic mesh regulations.

You may have legal options if you had an implant from one of these companies and developed serious complications.

Women who received vaginal mesh implants have reported a range of problems, from discomfort and pain to serious complications that required additional surgery.

Treatment options may include close observation, pain management or surgery, depending on the severity of your symptoms. If you are experiencing these problems with your implant, the next steps would be to speak with a doctor and, if necessary, a lawyer.

The use of vaginal mesh has been controversial since the late 1990s, so the FDA has taken notable actions to address this.

In 2019, the FDA ordered companies to stop selling vaginal mesh products for pelvic organ prolapse surgery. However, mesh slings for SUI are still on the market. The FDA reaffirmed in October 2022 that the risks of using surgical mesh for transvaginal POP treatment outweigh its benefits.

Finally, in 2024, the FDA concluded that the performance of SUI mini-slings was comparable to traditional mid-urethral slings.

Several alternatives to vaginal mesh exist, including physical therapy, pelvic floor exercises, pessaries and traditional surgical repair. These alternatives help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, alleviate symptoms and provide support to weakened tissues.

Pelvic floor physical therapy, which may include Kegel exercises, can strengthen pelvic muscles and improve mild symptoms of prolapse or stress urinary incontinence.

A pessary is a plastic or silicone device that is inserted into the vagina to provide support to the bladder and organs. Doctors teach women how to properly insert these devices, which are usually made of inert materials such as plastic or silicone.

Traditional surgical repair uses a patient’s own tissue, but the long-term failure rate ranges from approximately 30% to 50%. Potential surgical candidates should discuss the risks and benefits of different surgical options with an expert surgeon.