A support group for French women suffering mesh complications has discovered that in one year alone 34,000 mesh implants were sold to hospitals across France to treat pelvic organ prolapse and bladder leaks.

The Balance ta Bandelette association was set up in 2017 as a support group for women with complications following surgical pelvic mesh.

The group is dedicated to the memory of Elodie who took her life by assisted suicide following chronic pain after a mesh sling for incontinence. She was just 40 and leaves a husband and two young children.

“The group welcomes women in distress, providing them with listening, support and clarification through the testimonies of other members. We also carry out numerous actions to make our voice better heard by health authorities and the medical profession.”

Their investigations found that 34,000 pelvic mesh devices were sold in 2021 in France, of which 17,000 are mesh slings for incontinence and 17,000 for pelvic organ prolapse

Just like mesh support groups globally, women in Balance ta Bandalette were not given fully informed consent that a surgical mesh was being used as part of their operation.

Additionally, the group found 94% of members were not told they could report adverse effects to the health authorities – just like the UK where most people have never heard of the UK’s Yellow Card reporting scheme to log treatment complications.