Microscopic particles left behind by vaginal mesh could continue to trigger the immune system to attack healthy tissue even after the material has been removed, according to researchers.
Experts suggest allergy testing patients before they are fitted with mesh may help to better understand why complications happen in some cases.
Campaign group Sling the Mesh said the majority of its members have developed a reaction they believe is down to the material, including autoimmune diseases, unexplained rashes and chronic fatigue.
Transvaginal mesh (TVM) implants are made from synthetic materials such as polypropylene, a type of thermoplastic, and have been used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence after childbirth.
However, they can cause serious harm to some women, with side effects including infection, pelvic pain, and incontinence.
The NHS restricted its use of TVM implants in 2018 and they are now used only as a last resort through a high-vigilance programme of restricted practice.
A new article led by Dr Nicholas Farr, published in the journal Nature Reviews Urology, analysed studies which suggest polypropylene is a material which causes autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (Asia).
Asia arises following exposure to substances that enhance the immune response in the likes of vaccines, silicone implants, or other foreign materials.
Symptoms can vary widely, but include chronic fatigue and chronic pain.
Source: The Independent, 6 June 2025
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