Prolapse is caused by muscles and ligaments that have been weakened or damaged by several common causes including childbirth, previous surgery, obesity, age or genetics.

Depending on your needs and the type of prolapse, your doctor may choose either a synthetic or a biologic graft material (a type of soft mesh) to repair the prolapse.

The synthetic graft is made of loosely knitted strands of polypropylene. It conforms to your normal anatomy and is porous so your body tissue can grow into it, providing a framework of support.

The biologic graft is another option of mesh that is derived from animal origin. Like synthetic mesh, it is designed to be soft and pliable and allows your body tissue to grow into it.

It can be reassuring to learn that the use of mesh for reinforcement is not new — it has been used extensively in surgery since 1960. Today surgical mesh is used in more than 1 million procedures annually. *

* Data on file at AMS