UK mesh centre removal study reveals the hidden toll of women’s pain
A new study from one of the UK’s largest mesh complication centres shows more than half of women suffering pelvic mesh pain do not show any signs that there is anything wrong with their implant.
The study, which lays bare the scale and complexity of suffering caused by pelvic mesh implants, shows that over a five-year period (2018–2023), 785 women were treated at the Manchester Mesh Complications Centre, with the vast majority experiencing significant pain and distress.
More than half of those women did not have any visible signs of mesh exposure or infection – yet they were still in pain.
Key findings
- Pain is the most common complaint: Out of 765 women, a staggering 92% (707 women) were referred due to painful mesh complications. Even more striking, 54% (416 women) reported pain alone, without any visible mesh exposure or infection. This challenges previous assumptions that mesh only causes problems if it is poorly placed or eroding – and highlights how deeply mesh pain affects women’s lives.
- Surgical removal is often requested: Among those offered treatment, 58% (403 women) opted for surgery. Of the 288 who underwent surgery, 52% (150 women) requested complete mesh removal showing a strong desire among patients to fully remove the source of their suffering.
- Complications from surgery are relatively low: While 18% of surgical patients experienced some form of complication, only 0.7% were considered serious. This suggests that, for many, surgery may be a viable path to relief.
- Recurrence rates post-surgery: Unfortunately, 66% of women who had mesh removed for Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) experienced recurrence of symptoms. For Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP), the recurrence rate was 23%. These figures underscore the need for better long-term solutions and support.
Why this matters
This study is a wake-up call. It confirms what campaigners like Sling the Mesh have been saying for years: mesh pain is real, widespread, and often invisible. The fact that “pain alone” is the most common reason for referral shows that many women are suffering without obvious physical signs – making it harder to get taken seriously.
The research also highlights the variation in treatment pathways, with some women opting for non-surgical options like pain therapy, while others pursue full excision. This diversity reflects the complexity of mesh-related pain and the urgent need for personalised, compassionate care.
What’s next?
Authors Hawra Badri, Azita Rajai, Karen Ward, Richard Edmondson and Fiona Reid call for further research into the causes of mesh pain, especially where no physical damage is visible. Understanding the underlying mechanisms could lead to better treatments and more informed decision-making.
Data and lived experience below
Data in the pdf below shows the number of mesh removals in the UK in 2024/2025 thanks to a Freedom of Information request. Underneath the pdf is a range of lived experience from women who are members of the Sling The Mesh Facebook support group following partial mesh removal, two stage mesh removal and full mesh removal. A full removal is what campaigners globally advocate for.
Mesh removals full vs partial
Partial mesh removal
I was 52 when Mesh was implanted in 2013. Immediate complications. Pain. Unable to pass any urine. I requested full removal immediately. The Consultant said ‘No’. In 2016 I went private, the consultant said he would remove the Mesh, but he’d never done it before – he did not tell me this. He only took out 5cm from the centre, and my complications increased. In 2020 I had investigations under anaesthetic -complications & pain increased significantly. In 2022 a Mesh Centre offered to remove the rest of the Mesh, but they were totally unprepared, lacked organisation, inexperienced, and failed to read my history. I did not ‘trust’ their judgement, or professionalism and declined. End result: long term bladder, bowel, mobility, nerve, spinal, hip, pelvis, thigh pain.
Partial removal after being told couldn’t find the rest if my mesh! Mesh went into Vaginal walls. I still have constant UTI’s. Had Botox before Covid (helped) but then forgotten about by hospital, chased by PALS to be told my original surgeon had left. Hospital got in touch to say I need to see a new consultant / start with someone new all over again.
I was expecting a full removal but was only informed just before surgery that I would be getting a partial. Reason being that as I’d already had dozens of abdominal surgeries by that point, already severely damaged bladder, and react to all pain relief and many other drugs, it was just going to be too difficult. I was in theatre for 6+ hours and had multiple infections afterwards. However I am now getting constant pain in hips, groins and down legs and my GP refused to consider that it could be mesh as she didn’t know anything about it but referred me to a spinal surgeon. He didn’t understand the complexities of mesh either so now I’m stuck. I can barely walk but Im now discharged from the mesh centre. I use a wheelchair/stick. Frankly life is not good – I’m more-or-less housebound and can no longer drive so reliant on husband to drive me round. 5 out of 7 days I’m just too unwell to go anywhere.
I had Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and CR BARD repair in 2011. I had partial removal in 2014 by the surgeon who implanted the Mesh due to erosion in vagina. Remaining mesh was all curled up causing lots of pain. I had remaining mesh removed in 2020. Unfortunately, they were unable to remove the anchors in the groin as they are too close to nerve and blood vessels. I have been left with permanent nerve damage.
I had TOT put in for prolapse in 2008. Partial removal in 2017 followed by further partial removal in 2022, arms could not be removed due to heavy bleeding / too close to vein. Since removal I have prolapse and voiding issues and continue to have vaginal, groin and back pain. Pain and fibro symptoms not improved by partial removal.
2011. Grade3 prolapse repair cystocele and rectocele and insertion of J and J Ethicon Gynecare TvTo for moderate SUI. Within a month infection began and bad vaginal pain. Persistent UTI’s every 4/6 weeks which resulted in Sepsis in September 2013. February 2014 partial removal of TvTo. I must add that at that time a lot of GP’s and also consultants were not familiar with transvaginal mesh. Partial removal was carried out I still have arms and anchors and many remnants of mesh left. My infections have persisted along with pelvic inflammatory disease, pains in right leg constant vaginal and urethral pain and to date I have an identified mass of something running parallel to my bladder which a Urogynaecologist has said I am too complicated for her to treat. I also have fluid in my womb. She is writing to one of the Mesh Centres where I have already been waiting 3 years to be seen. If I knew back in 2014 what I now know I would have insisted on full removal.
I had my mesh fitted in 2006. Was in awful pain as soon as I woke up. Had to go back in after 3 months, just to check it. Was ok for about 6 years, but slowly the pain, leakage, illness and infections were so bad. 2015 had a two-part removal. Not a full removal, as I have Ehlers Danlos and fragile veins, so it was leave most of it or risk passing away on table. Since 2015, things have gone downhill, my bladder control stops me leaving the house. Now am on major pain relief, can only walk a few feet without being doubled up in pain, steroids, have Cushings, autoimmune, fibromyalgia, overweight, depression, constant infections, etc. My health issues are all down to the mesh. Also had kidney sepsis a few times, touch and go, but i am still here. I am 62yrs old.
Partial removal in April 2024 at one of the Specialist Mesh Centres. I am still in a lot of pain.
I had my mesh fitted 18 years ago, problems with infections from the start. Relentless appointments at hospital. No joy until one doctor who was very interested in mesh found it had eroded into vagina. Was in hospital within a few weeks where they just removed the piece that had come through not the whole mesh. I am 73 now with quite a lot of health issues which are probably mesh related but no one will say. I guess what is left will stay there till some more comes through or I depart this world. Still getting infections but not as many.
My elderly friend had TVT MESH inserted in 2000. From the moment of surgery, she has had multiple ‘trims’ off the Mesh, it cuts through her vagina causing severe pain, mobility issues and constant bleeding since 2000. They repeated these trimming procedures until I managed to get her into a Mesh Centre, they did an investigation under anaesthetic which injured her so much she regretted going to them for help. On the day of ‘scheduled removal’ they didn’t do it as they said, ‘Because she is over 80 now, ‘medication’ to control pain is her only option’. She was sent home crying, she too has given up on the professionalism of consultants to rectify the mess that they leave patients in. She bleeds constantly, her bladder, bowel, hips, nerves, and spine are the major issues as well as acute PAIN.
Had TVTO inserted 2014 complications straight away. placed wrong and nerve damaged .full removal planned in 2018 but only partial removal was done. still in constant agony continuous infections. now awaiting further treatment at a different mesh centre.
TVT J&J implanted 2006. Partial removal 6 months later, due to pain, and health symptoms from what I now believe to be a foreign body response. Years of GP, hospital appointments for uti’s ongoing pain, always told it’s fine, not caused by the mesh, despite not suffering any of these issues before implant.
As more evidence came to light and thanks to you Sling the Mesh was started I finally felt I wasn’t alone. 2018 removal of remaining tvt. Ongoing discomfort and cystocele, 6 moths post removal scan discovered 3 incisional hernias (results of removal op) Hospital suggested mesh repairs, could try non mesh repair but surgeon actually suggested after my issues I look elsewhere. Shouldice repairs in Germany 2019 Good recovery. Gynae consultant last week asked me if I’d had my mesh removed due to all the media fuss.
Two. stage removal
I had a full removal but in two stages. Had multiple repairs to various organs which had been damaged by broken mesh. All good now.
I had two stage removal as I wanted colposuspension and that was done at the same time as the second procedure. Having full removal in one go may have not been the best option and I am glad I had it done this way now.
Incontinence worse than it was before mesh. Continuing pain, mobility problems and now have bowel Incontinence issues too. The Mesh was put in very tight and was cutting through my uretha.
It was explained to me that best practice was to perform the removal as a 2 stage op, removing the vaginal part first and then waiting 6 months and seeing how much the leaks returned. They could then remove the mesh arms and perform another procedure to treat the sui. I had the vaginal part removed mid 2023 and have since been fobbed off with more tests. I am unsure whether what I was told had been done i.e. how much removed etc is the truth. My appointment just keeps getting pushed further and further back. All I want is for a competent surgeon to remove the last bits before what’s left does god only knows what. I asked them if they could transfer me to another mesh centre and they told me I would have to sort it out myself. I am absolutely at my wit’s end and it is causing me such huge mental health issues.
Partial then full
I have PTSD from all of this – I had a partial removal approximately 6 months after mesh implanted. I was in pain before but it was significantly worse after partial removal. I really struggled to walk after the procedure. I walked with a limp and I had nerve problems in my left leg, the nerve constantly fires, my left leg became weaker. I sank into a very deep depression. My mobility was significantly impacted, and I was in chronic pain and had debilitating fatigue. I ended up on fentanyl patches and needed higher and higher doses to function. Eight years later I returned to my dr asking for help. Two years later I was offered full removal. I expected more from full removal, but considering the mesh had become twisted internally, the damage had been done over a ten-year period. I’m glad I’ve had the majority removed but was told after surgery that some mesh has adhered to my bladder and other place’s, it couldn’t be removed. I have ongoing bladder problems, mainly OAB and incontinence, but I’m grateful for the surgery. I felt awful before surgery, had really high inflammatory markers in my blood tests, this improved after the 2nd removal surgery. Partial removal exacerbated my symptoms of pain, exhaustion and mobility problems, it was devastating and life changing, but not in a good way. I wish I’d never opted for it, I didn’t even know what they meant by a revision surgery. I’m still angry about what happened to me and I just wish I’d asked for full removal all those years ago. I felt like getting accepted for full removal was an incredibly hard, uphill battle. So many obstacles were put in my way, I won’t go into them in detail, because just remembering it, is very triggering for me. I feel psychologically damaged. I’m very mistrustful of people in general now.
Told full removal only partially done, made problems worse went on to have difficult full removal at another mesh centre. Almost all issues disappeared after that so definitely wouldn’t recommend partial.
I had reconstruction of perineum and a rectocele and a TOT inserted. I had a partial removal of tot after cutting through my vaginal wall, arms now can’t be found anywhere. This was inserted 2011, removal 2016. Had all the scans and surgery to try find them. Now in 2025 having more scans as my groin wounds keep opening up. Had full removal in 2022 as it had ripped my urethra to shreds. Had urethra reconstruction. Since 2011 been diagnosed with fibro, cfs, iih, hypothyroidism and still in same position with stress incontinence as I was in the beginning. I’m better than I was after full removal. I regret partial removal.
Full removal
Mesh inserted 2008 it was tvto full removal. I’m a lot better than before still some issues but so glad I got the chance to get it removed safely in one first time.
I had full TOT mesh removal two months ago. The mesh was inserted in 2006, sold as a gold standard quick fix. I feel better than I have in years, the muscle pain, cramps internal pain and bleeding have all stopped, I was able to kneel for the first time in years. I have a hip replacement spondylitis, spinal stenosis and Cauda Equina (odd how many mesh patients are diagnosed with this rare diagnosis) so I will never walk well or be pain free, but the improvement in so many areas of my life is massive. I want to give some positive news for anyone waiting for surgery, because it’s frightening and there is so little information. I feel so lucky, but also angry that this has poisoned my system for 19 years and limited my life massively and nobody is held accountable. I am mad with myself for not pushing for help, after having the mesh trimmed 6 months after it was inserted, because it had cut through my vagina, they said it’s part of your body now you must live with it. I have blamed my symptoms on my spinal condition, but lots of them have gone now. My bladder control isn’t brilliant, but that’s also improving. I feel like I have won the lottery, but am also full of mistrust and anger.
Implanted 2008, J & J Ethicon. Full tvt removal Oct 2023. Took over 12 months to feel ok and still have some pain but amazing improvement to where I was.
Full removal. Outcome permanent Stoma. Pain levels in the immediate marginally improved however soon returned to previous high levels and remains so. Suffering pudendal pain in the extreme. Poor mobility due to pain, muscle weakness, using rollator and stick to aid movement. Bladder weakness resulting in incontinence.
In 2012 I had full removal. Still have a bladder prolapse, stress and urge incontinence. I’m on medication for life… have to live with unseen trauma of mesh.. Would have removal over the excruciating pain and cocktail of pain meds I was taking prior to removal.
Full mesh removal of a TVT and TOT, which had eroded into urethra, bladder, vagina and into groin, bladder fully open after removal, and leaking 24/7 with no sensation to void, still having to use a wheelchair and crutch.
I had TOT fitted in 2017 and full removal in 2020. Since removal I have been severely incontinent. I am left with so many issues, pain and ongoing UTIs. Absolutely no help to rectify. Just want to add I had a sling using my own tissue etc around 1997 which was a complete success and it lasted for 15+ years.
I had full mesh removal and fascial sling at the same time February 2020. Huge operation, long recovery including learning how to catheterise. Five years later, daily pain, catheterising 12 times a day, limited mobility and developed psoriatic arthritis.
I had TVT-O fitted in 2009. I felt unwell from that day onwards. Constant fatigue, auto immune problems and bladder infections. I live in England. I had full removal 2 years ago. A few months later I returned to have a donor sling fitted because of incontinence. I’m now fully recovered and haven’t had a bladder infection since.
I had full removal 2024. Years trying to get someone to listen that there was a problem. Paid privately, 18 months to wait for removal. Pain has mostly gone however incontinence remains a significant problem, probably worse than pre mesh. Do not regret removal as pain is not as significant as before.
Mesh TVT ADVANTAGE in 2012. UTI, constant, diagnosis of urgency and over active bladder. Pain started very subtle and slowly Pain became unbearable, went to A&E once Years of back and forth with Phisio, GP Appointments Pain relief drugs, tests, scans. In 2021 I was desperate and in a lot of pain. And from then onwards I discovered your Facebook group and done a lot of research . Save all the money I could I went to the USA . Had full removal JAN 2025. I am doing so much better, and I am sure is a matter of time to be totally recovered. It saddens me that, so many women are suffering without a clue that is the mesh causing this terrible pain. I have been gaslighted big time, with lies, devalued, ignoring my feelings and emotions. English is not my first language.
TVT full removal. The AMS sling was causing pain in my left pelvic area continuing down my leg also alongside swelling. Other symptoms including unexplained bleeding and difficulty concentrating. I had attended a Mesh centre for an assessment which was not a good experience. It was like a well-rehearsed stage play. I was offered mesh removal with the consultant who was trying to put me off by telling me all the negative details – I am aware we have to be told how surgeries could go wrong, however this was scare mongering. Following on from this I went on the list to have the removal carried in America. I still have incontinence and constant pain as the tvt had been fitted around the obturator nerve and my mobility is impaired. I am also requiring a hip replacement joint on the same side. I have lost trust in the system.
I had 3 J&J prolifts meshes removals in March 2025 – marvellous results and recovery. The only negative result is prolapsed bladder which was to be expected. I will be going back in January to have my prolapsed bladder fixed with donor facias. I expect to finally put an end to this nightmare and leave it in the past. I could not be happier and grateful. My meshes were in for over 18 years.
Uterine prolaps in 2010 – promontofixation in 2010 in Switzerland. 15 years of chronics pains, intensive pains constant : 2025 fully removed. All pains gone the day after my surgery!
I had the Gynecare TVT mesh implanted in 2007 for stress urinary incontinence. Almost right away, my life started to change – not for the better. I began having severe, recurring UTIs, constant pain in my legs, groin, and back, and the incontinence never really improved. In 2009, I was diagnosed with bladder cancer. In 2021, I was told I had vaginal mesh erosion. By that point, I was already struggling to walk, and the pain had taken so much from me – physically, emotionally, and financially. In 2023, I had to leave the job I loved because my body couldn’t keep up anymore. In May 2024, I had a full mesh removal. Since then, the UTIs have stopped — for the first time in over 15 years. I still live with incontinence and mobility challenges, but I finally feel like my body is no longer under attack from the inside.
In 2011, I had a TVT-O Gynecare mesh sling implanted during a full hysterectomy. I experienced complications immediately – pain, infections, and symptoms I was told were “just IC.” For 13 years, I was dismissed by doctors and specialists, all while the mesh – improperly placed over my bladder neck and embedded in my right groin -was slowly destroying my quality of life. The chronic UTIs, pain, and long-term antibiotics became unbearable. I was offered a partial removal, but something in me said “no.” That’s when I found Sling the Mesh, I was able to have the mesh fully removed. Now, nearly a year post-removal, I haven’t had a single UTI. After 13 years of suffering, I’m finally free! Partial removals are not enough. We deserve full removal and full truth.
