November 29, 2011 (CHARLESTON, SC)—The National Association For Continence (NAFC) has recently updated its educational pamphlets and website content to better inform women, with pelvic floor dysfunction, about treatment options. The newly updated Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Non-Surgical Treatments for Female Stress Urinary Incontinence and Surgical Treatment for Female Stress Urinary Incontinence pamphlets are now available at no charge to consumers.

In July, the FDA issued a safety communication warning that it is not rare for a patient to experience complications after surgical placement of mesh to repair pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The FDA questioned the effectiveness of transvaginal mesh as a treatment for POP.

Testimonies from leading clinical authorities, at a hearing in September, clearly established that mesh slings for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women are considered the gold standard by which all future procedures and devices should be measured. Success rates are higher and complications are fewer than with traditional tissue-to-tissue procedures. Use of transvaginal surgical mesh for POP was recommended to be reclassified as a Class III (pre-market approval) and requires manufacturers of existing products to conduct additional post-market surveillance studies.

NAFC’s position statement, on the issue of surgical mesh for POP repair calls for conversational discussion between physician and patient about options and expected outcomes including risks and benefits as fully informed consent well in advance of agreeing to surgery for POP or SUI. These updated materials are meant to assist physicians as they undertake this shared decision making process with patients. These materials may be requested individually by patients through NAFC’s online store. Physicians may order in bulk quantities for their clinics by contacting NAFC directly, as discounted prices are available to professional members of NAFC.