I often have patients ask me about Mid-Urethral Slings to treat and prevent their stress urinary incontinence. The first thing I tell patients is that the FDA has deemed Mid-Urethral Slings as safe, and I’ve personally seen this option work for many women who struggle with the loss of urine during physical activities. Here is a list of a few FAQs to review, originally published by AUGS. To see the full list, click here. Call my office to learn more about how this procedure can change your life.

What is a mid-urethral sling (MUS)?
A mid-urethral sling (MUS) is a small mesh strip used in surgery to treat stress urinary incontinence, a type of leakage that occurs during activity such as laughing, coughing, or exercise. The mid-urethral sling works to prevent or significantly reduce the loss of urine during these activities.

The surgery is done through a small incision in the vaginal wall below the urethra (the tube through which urine passes from the bladder). Through this incision a half-inch wide strip of polypropylene mesh is placed between the urethra and the vagina. The ends of the mesh are passed out incisions in the groin or above the pubic bone. Using absorbable suture, the vaginal incision is closed covering the sling.

Are mid-urethral slings safe?
The mid-urethral sling is considered safe and effective by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As with any surgery, complications can occur but they are typically minor and can usually be repaired.

What sort of evidence supports the efficacy and safety of the mid-urethral sling?
The mid-urethral sling procedure is the most studied surgery to treat stress urinary incontinence and there have been over 2,000 articles published about it. Results of these studies have appeared in prestigious medical journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine. Two large government funded studies have evaluated the mid-urethral sling’s safety and efficacy – both found the procedure to have a low complication rate and a high success rate. Other large scientific studies from around the world have supported the safety and efficacy of the mid-urethral sling.

What is the difference between a mid-urethral sling and vaginal prolapse mesh?
A mid-urethral sling is used to treat stress urinary incontinence. A vaginal prolapse mesh is placed through a vaginal incision to correct a vaginal bulge (ex. cystocele, rectocele or dropped uterus). Vaginal prolapse mesh is larger and placed in a different location than the mid-urethral sling mesh.

Does a mid-urethral sling cause cancer?
There is no evidence that any women have developed cancer as a result of a mid-urethral sling.

Does a mid-urethral sling cause any other diseases?
There is no evidence that polypropylene mesh or mid-urethral sling causes other diseases.