Survey shows devastating impact of mesh devices on women

A survey of over 500 women who have undergone mesh implant operations has shown the devastating impact that the devices have had on their lives.

Conducted by Sling the Mesh campaign group, the survey includes 570 of its members detailing problems caused after they underwent mesh operations for prolapse or incontinence.

The survey details problems caused after mesh operations such as pain, infections, anxiety and depression and more.

Other details show that seven out of ten women lose intimacy with their partner, one in seven lose their relationship and a third have had to give up work completely.

The survey was published in time for an upcoming mesh think tank at Westminster on 30 January.  

The survey also shows that over half of the women suffer from constant urinary infections and worryingly, one in 20 are becoming antibiotic resistant.

More so, almost eight out of 10 suffer from pain when walking, over half suffer from incontinence and three in 10 are unable to urinate.

Chair of the APPG on Surgical Mesh Implants, Owen Smith MP has called on the government to “urgently conduct a full audit of all patients who have been treated with mesh”. Smith is also asking the government to conduct a ‘prospective registry’ for any new patients treated with mesh.

Kath Sansom of Sling The Mesh said: "The survey shows the personal devastation. We have women in the group who are suicidal, who don't want to carry on because the pain is so intense. Yet previously they led healthy lives. Surgeon societies know there are big problems as 18 specialist mesh centres have been set up across England. Also conferences are being held on how to deal with mesh litigation. Surgeons only monitor women for around three months after an operation so have no idea of the scale of suffering as some problems take months or years to cut in. There is little reliable audit to back up claims it is a long-term solution because there is no National Register like there is for hip implants."

To discover the full impact of mesh devices, read the survey here.