The Government is set to launch a large-scale audit into recovery after vaginal mesh surgery after hundreds of thousands of women around the world reported life-changing complications.
Vaginal mesh is a treatment given to women who experience pelvic organ prolapse or incontinence, often as a result of childbirth. The treatment is common in the UK, with more than 92,000 women receiving a vaginal mesh implant between April 2007 and March 2015 in England alone.
Women who’ve undergone the procedure have reported complications including severe pain when walking and sitting, leaving some unable to work. Some have also said complications have had a negative impact on their mental health, leading to depression and anxiety.
The Department of Health and Social Care announced on Tuesday it accepts the case made by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Surgical Mesh Implants and campaigners to conduct a retrospective audit into vaginal mesh surgery. The audit will help officials better understand the scale of risks women face when undergoing surgery and inform decisions over the use of vaginal mesh going forward.
