In a round-up of hospital patient information leaflets it was found many do not properly warn patients of the potential risks of this operation.

However, at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn, a spokesman said surgeons “rarely do this operation anymore, only when essential”.

At the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital the leaflet signposts women to support groups to learn about potential risks.

At Peterborough City Hospital the patient leaflet says “generally there are very few risks” and at Hinchingbrooke Hospital at Huntingdon it says there is a 1-2% erosion risk and 4% bladder damage risk. It says there is a 10% chance of inner thigh pain but most women recover and permanent pain is “uncommon.”