Social factors, rather than medical reasons alone, seem to dictate decisions on hysterectomy surgeries for women in India.
If found hysterectomy was two times more prevalent among women from the richest wealth quintile (17.3%) than among poorer women (7.7%). “Women belonging to other backward castes category, women belonging to the richest wealth quintile, and those with a lower age of marriage were at a higher risk of undergoing hysterectomy.”
“Women living in urban areas were more likely to report having had a hysterectomy as compared to women from rural areas.”
Women with two children were at a higher risk for hysterectomy than those who had one or no children.
“Also, financially better off women underwent hysterectomy as a preventive medical procedure for menstrual pain relief, whereas poor women undertook the surgery for uterine prolapse and other reasons.”
In recent years, there has been growing concern over “unnecessary hysterectomies” in India, with evidence that practitioners in some states perform the surgery for young women in their 30s to gain state insurance payoffs and other social schemes. In parts of Maharashtra, women farm laborers underwent hysterectomy early as they couldn’t work on days of their menstrual cycle and feared a drop in earnings.
Across India, 11.5% of women aged 45 and above have undergone hysterectomy, which amounts to more than one in 10 women above age 45. The study found wide variation across the country: higher prevalence in the south (18.2%). followed by western states (12.7%), and northern states (10.3%). North-east had the lowest rate (3.8%).
However, some experts were not convinced by the findings. “How can financial status dictate hysterectomy?” The most common reason was excessive or prolonged bleeding beyond 6 months despite medication. “Fibroids, cysts, and uterine prolapse are other main reasons for removal of the uterus.” “Many women who come for hysterectomies at public hospitals are scared. They incorrectly presume hysterectomy will reveal cancer, and ignore, pain and discomfort for so long.”
Another doctor said that the study was biased as it looked at self-reported reasons for hysterectomies.
RESEARCH ANALYSIS ON INDIAN WOMEN:-
WHAT IS HYSTERECTOMY:-
* It’s a surgical procedure to remove a woman’s uterus.
* It’s one of the most frequently conducted surgeries in the world.
* It may include the removal of other parts of the female reproductive system — ovaries, fallopian tubes, etc.
* It can alleviate symptoms of gynecological disorders — irregular or heavy bleeding and pelvic pain, and also reduce anxiety and depression.
REASONS FOR HYSTERECTOMY:-
* Fibroids
* Uterovaginal prolapse.
* Benign ovarian cysts.
* Malignancy.
* Abnormal growth of uterus lining.