A mum-of-three says she feels "destroyed" after mounting health problems she blames on a permanent contraceptive implant.

Charlene Baldwin was quick to sign up for the procedure when she had it eight years ago and spoke publicly about how it was so easy she had to be told to stop laughing halfway through.

But her health deteriorated and as a result she ended up having a breakdown and spent 10 days in a psychiatric unit.

Things have not improved and she is now one of thousands of women calling for manufacturer Bayer to be held to account.

The 38-year-old underwent the near-painless 10-minute procedure to insert Essure into her fallopian tube after being told about a "fantastic new product" by her gynaecologist.

Then aged 30, she did not even require anaesthetic and was able to go straight home from Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham and prepare dinner for her daughters.

Three months later and all was well - the two tiny coils had been surrounded by tissue barriers, eliminating the risk of an unplanned pregnancy.

But less than a year after that the nightmare began.

“I started losing weight and bleeding heavily, I was in agony,” she said.

Charlene, who at the time regularly volunteered at poverty charity Sure Start and ran baby sign language classes, initially thought she was going through the menopause.

But her health deteriorated and at the end of 2012 she had a breakdown brought on by her health problems and spent 10 days in a psychiatric unit.

Her repeat trips to the doctors during that time always ended with her being “fobbed off” with other contraception.

Charlene, of Leeward Road, Rochester, said: “I started to think the problems must be linked to the implant.

“Then about four years ago I found a forum for women in a similar position.

“Out of 80 or 90 known side effects I’ve experienced all but 10.

“The problems were getting worse. I went back to my gynaecologist and told him if he did not remove it I’d take it out with a pen knife. I was that desperate.”

In April 2015 Charlene underwent an emergency hysterectomy but her condition has not improved.

"I need crutches to walk, I can no longer work and only one daughter now lives with me. Essure has destroyed me" - Charlene Baldwin

She added: “I need crutches to walk, I can no longer work and only one daughter now lives with me. Essure has destroyed me.”

But Charlene is not alone. This week it was revealed of the one million women who have had the implant worldwide, thousands have had it removed.

One gynaecologist who has removed 500 described it as becoming like a ‘calcified nail’ after a couple of years.

Sometimes implants are found to have moved into a position where they are almost piercing the fallopian tube.

Manufacturer Bayer still denies there are any major problems with Essure.

It has however stopped selling the product in America, Europe and Australia citing commercial reasons and negative publicity.

An Essure spokesman said the company supports women and heathcare professionals who have “questions or concerns” about the implant but urged women to first seek the advice of their doctor.

She added: “Bayer takes all reports of potential side effects very seriously and keeps the product information for all its products under constant review.”

Meanwhile, Charlene says she has never been told exactly what caused her health problems and that the medical report after her surgery was “vague”.

She is now one of thousands of women calling for Bayer to be held to account and seeking legal advice ahead of a potential lawsuit.

Medway Maritime Hospital said a maximum of 33 implants had been carried out by the trust and no ‘formal’ complaints had been made.

Gurjit Mahil, chief operating officer for planned care at Medway NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I’m very sorry to hear about Ms Baldwin’s situation and I will ensure that her concerns are investigated if she would like us to do so.

“Every woman is entitled to safe and appropriate treatment.

"The Trust no longer offers the Essure implant to patients and has not undertaken any Essure implantation since the use of the device was suspended across Europe in 2017.

“A number of women in the UK and worldwide have experienced side-effects from the Essure implant in the years since it was approved for use, although it is important to note that many of these symptoms can also be due to unrelated gynaecological or wider health conditions.

“Although the Trust only implanted a small number of Essure devices before it was withdrawn from use, we are ready to support any women who are or suspect they may be experiencing side-effects from it.

“Please contact your GP in the first instance, and they will arrange an appointment with us if you need one.”

• Facebook group Life After Essure UK and Ireland Support Group provides advice and support for women affected by the implant.