Sling the Mesh: The mesh-fibromyalgia connection just got harder to ignore (28 August 2026)

Summary

A new study has found evidence that mesh-related injury may trigger central sensitisation, a biological process linked to widespread, persistent pain including fibromyalgia.

Researchers studying 280 women with isolated mesh-associated pain found that more than half (52%) had co-existing conditions including fibromyalgia, chronic back pain and irritable bowel syndrome.

The authors suggest that, in some women, nerve injury caused by mesh may contribute to hyperexcitablility of the central nervous system resulting in Central Sensitizationa -a process already associated with conditions like fibromyalgia, endometriosis and interstitial cystitis.

The study was conducted by the Manchester Mesh Complications Specialist Service.

As patient advocates, Sling the Mesh highlighted one message that stands out: "fibromyalgia is a significant part of the mesh story. While we succeeded in having fibromyalgia included in the NICE mesh complications decision aid, the mesh / fibromyalgia connection is still too often overlooked by doctors. We hope this study will help women to have their voices taken seriously".