Mesh For Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repair
Thinking About Getting POP Surgery With Mesh?
If you’ve been diagnosed with pelvic organ prolapse, you might be considering surgical treatment. Many POP surgeries use mesh to make the repair last long-term and reduce the risk of additional surgeries down the road. Depending on your type and severity of pelvic organ prolapse, POP surgery with mesh could be worth exploring.
Concerns About Mesh
Each year, thousands of women undergo POP surgery using mesh, and many have successful outcomes. But since mesh was first used in POP treatment several decades ago, numerous women have suffered from complications that resulted in pain and more surgeries.
This has led to class action lawsuits against mesh manufacturers, regulatory changes in many countries, and a lack of confidence in mesh as a treatment option.
Don’t let anxiety or fear steer your treatment decision. Get the facts about mesh so you can make the best decision for your health.
Stay Informed About Mesh Regulations
A common myth is that all uses of surgical mesh for POP repair are banned. While certain types of mesh surgeries are banned in some countries, many techniques using mesh are still approved globally and used daily.
In April 2019, transvaginal mesh (mesh inserted through the vaginal canal) was banned in some countries after analysis of the risks and benefits. These countries include the US, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France, and others. But transvaginal mesh is still used in most European, Asian, and South American countries. And most countries that banned transvaginal mesh still allow mesh “slings” and mesh surgeries through the abdominal wall.
As regulations evolve and more studies on long term efficacy of mesh become available, APOPS will continue to share updates.
APOPS’ Stance on Mesh
Mesh has been validated to provide long-term success, even for our own founder. But APOPS also has women in our space who have suffered complications, and it’s important to acknowledge their needs.
We believe women deserve to have all effective treatment options available to them. We implore women with POP to learn about their options, research their surgeons, and ask all of their questions so they can make informed decisions about their treatment.
Every woman deserves the right to choose the best pelvic organ prolapse treatment for her.
Transvaginal Mesh Success Story
Sherrie Palm, APOPS’ founder, underwent transvaginal mesh repair for cystocele and rectocele, along with native tissue repair for enterocele, in 2008 (many years before it was banned in the US). As of 2025, Sherrie remains complication-free. 17 years post-surgery, she believes she made the right choice for repair, as POP surgery has a higher long-term success rate when performed with polypropylene mesh.
In 2011 and 2019, Sherrie spoke at the FDA on behalf of the women APOPS serves who have had mesh success, as well as those needing to make a decision about whether or not to move forward with a mesh procedure. Find her speeches below.
Who is the Best Practitioner For POP Surgery?
Surgeries of the abdomen and pelvic area are intricate and complex — it’s best to work with a urogynecologist who specializes in these procedures and has a history of successful outcomes.
For those who opt for surgical treatment, APOPS recommends choosing a fellowship-trained urogynecologist. Sherrie credits much of her successful outcome to her highly skilled urogynecologist.
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon About Mesh
If you're considering surgery for POP, it’s essential to have a detailed conversation with your physician. Verify your surgeon’s experience with POP surgery and ask any and all questions you have regarding the procedure, recovery, and possible complications that could occur.
Not sure what you should ask your surgeon? Consider these questions.
1. Do you plan to use mesh for my POP repairs?
2. How many mesh procedures like mine have you done?
3. What surgical alternatives do I have to mesh for repair?
4. Is there any reason I would be a bad candidate for mesh?
5. Will my POP repair be successful without mesh?
6. How long has the mesh product you use been on the market?
7. How long have you been using this particular mesh product?
8. Is there a chance mesh surgery won’t fix my POP?
9. What side effects should I be concerned about after mesh surgery?
10. Will my partner be able to feel mesh during intimacy?
11. What are the chances the mesh will erode through my vaginal wall?
12. If mesh erodes through the vaginal wall, how do you fix it?
13. If I have mesh complications, will you be able to address them?
14. Can I have access to information on the mesh you will be using prior to having my surgical procedure?
Join the Conversation
Every week, women who are newly diagnosed with POP find our forum and reach out for guidance about mesh and other treatments. If you’re anxious, confused, or fearful about POP treatment, we’re here to support you.