4.8% of women aged 25-49 in India have had uterus removed: Study
Women's Health: Socioeconomic factors determine the health of Indian women to a great extent, if the uterus is removed without any concrete reason, then it is worrisome.
Indian Women Undergo Hysterectomy: A study has revealed what is the condition of women's health in our country at the moment. A recent study published in the Journal of Medical Evidence shows that 4.8% of Indian women aged 25 to 49 years have had a hysterectomy, with the highest prevalence among agricultural workers at 6.8%.
This alarming trend highlights socio-economic and occupational inequalities, especially for agricultural labourers due to hard work and pesticide exposure. It is often used to address conditions such as excessive menstrual bleeding (55.4%), fibroids (19.6%), or uterine (13.9%).
The study also revealed significant regional variations, with the southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana recording the highest prevalence rates of 12.6% and 11.1%, respectively, while Assam has just 1.4%. Moreover, 67.5% of these surgeries are conducted in private healthcare facilities, raising ethical concerns about the exploitation of vulnerable women for profits. Government health insurance schemes, which are aimed at improving access to health care, are reportedly misused in some states such as Bihar and Chhattisgarh, leading to unnecessary surgeries.
Socio-economic factors
play an important role in this. Rural women are 30% more likely to have a hysterectomy than urban women. Education also influences this trend, as women with lower education levels are more vulnerable, while richer but less educated women are more likely to afford the procedure. Age and equality determine things, women aged 40-49 and women with 3 or more children are at higher risk. Overweight women are also more likely to have surgery than underweight women.
The study emphasizes the urgent need for policy intervention to address these inequalities.
The recommendations include ramping up the public healthcare system, increasing access to gynaecological counselling and raising awareness about menstrual and reproductive health to reduce dependence on invasive surgeries. Strict monitoring of private healthcare practices and insurance schemes is necessary to curb unethical practices. In addition, it is important to improve working conditions in the labour-intensive sector and control harmful risks such as pesticides.
The results of this study show how important preventive care and early diagnosis are to prevent unnecessary hysterectomy and its long-term effects (menopause, osteoporosis and cardiovascular risk). Researchers advocate empowering women with information about their health and treatment options. It is important to understand that hysterectomy is the last resort, to avoid this, you have to be aware of women's health beforehand.