98% of implant side-effects hit women
Breast implants, non-hormonal IUDs and vaginal mesh caused the highest number of reported side effects of medical implants in 2020 in the Netherlands. Nearly all, 98%, of the reports affected women.
The official reporting body in the Netherlands, Meldpunt en Expertisecentrum Bijwerkingen Implantaten (MEBI), received reports of 1,535 adverse reactions from 303 implants in 2020. That means each implant caused five different adverse reactions. The implant with the most reports of negative side effects since 2018 has been breast implants, regularly accounting for over three-quarters of complaints.
However, side effects from the non-hormonal copper IUD are on the rise. MEBI said in March that a large number of reports come from one specific IUD, the IUB ™ Ballerine® MIDI. Healthcare professionals were worried about partial expulsion of the device and/or pregnancy in women who had the implant. Other complaints, such as perforation of the uterus by the IUD, were reported less frequently.
Fem-tech is becoming a major investment category globally, with businesses focusing on more common issues like fertility, menstruation, pregnancy and breastfeeding. Much less has been invested into designing acute care around the female body and this data shows that many of the implants, whether for cosmetic or medical purposes, are still causing problems for women.
Hip replacements implants accounted for just 4% of complaints in 2018 and 1% of complaints in 2019.
We would welcome your thoughts on this story. Email your views to Rachel Lewis or call 0207 183 3779.
