Just two years ago, I had a totally different perspective on how the FDA works and the amount of testing that goes into ensuring that drugs and medical devices are safe. I trusted my doctor to give me the prescription or advice that would best address my problems because I’m not the one who went to medical school. Now don’t get me wrong: I’m not an extremist who thinks all drugs are bad and all doctors are too busy to care. (Living with chronic pain and infertility, I’ve had my share of the good and bad of the medical world.) What I do believe is that as individuals, we have to educate ourselves to ensure that we’re getting the optimal treatments possible – and part of that is weighing the risks and benefits to the medications we take and the procedures we may have. One example is that of transvaginal mesh (which is also called TVM or “pelvic mesh”). If you have TVM, if you’re considering having TVM, or if you want to learn more about the indiscrepancies of the FDA and big pharmaceutical companies, keep reading.

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