Here is the definition of sexism according to Merriam-Webster:
1: prejudice or discrimination based on sex; especially : discrimination against women2 : behavior, conditions, or attitudes that foster stereotypes of social roles based on sex
Transvaginal mesh is one of the biggest examples of sexism today.
Imagine that you have transvaginal mesh (TVM) complications and this medical device has caused unrelenting pain to the point of causing you to be disabled. You can’t work, you’re in constant pain, and sex is no longer an option. Not only is this issue extremely private and embarrassing, but much of the time the doctors that are performing these risky procedures or that are scheduled for follow-up exams are men. And instead of receiving practical and compassionate advice to help these women whose vaginas have been destroyed for medical experimentation, many women were given disrespectful, sexist advice and were told to just have anal sex instead.In August 2017, as part of a federal court class action lawsuit in Australia, disturbing emails were uncovered between French doctors and Johnson & Johnson, the makers of certain transvaginal mesh. “It is no less true that sodomy could be a good alternative!” one doctor wrote. Another discussed the difficulty of raising sexual matters with his patients. “I said to myself, there you go, for your next prolapse [patient], you talk to her about orgasms. OK! But also about fellatio, sodomy, the clitoris with or without G-spot etc,” he wrote. “I am sure of one thing: that I would very quickly be treated like some kind of sex maniac (which, perhaps, I am) or a pervert, or an unhealthily curious person.”
“Our vaginas have been abused by mesh and now doctors are suggesting our anus be abused. Despicable! Only a misogynist could think this way,” said one unnamed patient.
Another patient spoke out by saying, “The suggestion that women who are unable to have vaginal intercourse should practise anal instead completely devalues a woman’s right to a full and healthy sex life as an active, empowered and fulfilled participant… It suggests that a woman is nothing more than a receptacle to satisfy men and that ‘any hole will do’. I’m appalled that anyone, particularly a woman’s treating medical practitioner, would be so thoughtless and arrogant as to suggest that anal sex is an adequate solution to sexual dysfunction.”While this trial took place in Australia and these comments were presented in that case, life for TVM patients in the U.S. is not any better. Consider that in Australia, TVM IS ILLEGAL but it is still common practice in the U.S.! This issue isn’t just about a bad medical device, but it is clearly a crime against women. For male doctors to simply suggest sodomy rather than address an issue that is destroying lives is a sexist monstrosity. If you have TVM that has migrated, eroded, has caused constant pain, and has required follow-up surgery, then we want to hear your story. You shouldn’t have to suffer because you weren’t told of the possible risks of TVM. You more than likely have huge medical bills, you haven’t been able to work, and you probably have other monetary hardships that are causing you immense stress. Contact us today to see if we are able to help you get the financial compensation that you deserve. You didn’t do anything wrong and you shouldn’t have to live like this.
