How Mail exposed agony

FOR more than a decade women have been reporting major problems with mesh implants. These included constant pain, nerve damage and ruined sex lives as a result of the plastic mesh breaking up and migrating to other parts of the body.

But it was only after the Mail’s Good Health began investigating eight years ago that more patients began to come forward. All the manufacturers have insisted the mesh material is safe. But similar problems have affected patients given implants for bowel problems.

Good Health has found that the safety approval process for such medical devices is no more demanding than the regulations around kettles and toasters. Thanks to the Good Health campaign ministers have agreed to a review into the use of the mesh. It is due to begin later this year.