Hysterectomy: A big mess with rural women's health! Forced uterus operation, why is this happening?

Hysterectomy: Instead of giving the women of rural India the benefit of their illiteracy, social pressure and health insurance facilities, it is proving to be disadvantageous for them.

Hysterectomy: Instead of giving the women of rural India the benefit of their illiteracy, social pressure and health insurance facilities, it is proving to be disadvantageous for them. According to a recent study published in the Journal of Medical Evidence, illiterate and obese women in rural areas are more likely to undergo hysterectomy than women living in urban areas.

According to a TOI report, the study found that the prevalence of hysterectomy among Indian women aged 25-49 increased from 4.8% (2015-16) to 4.9% (2019-21). In particular, women working in the agricultural sector are 32% more likely to undergo this surgery than other professional groups. For instance, in Maharashtra, the percentage of hysterectomy among employed women aged 25-49 years was 2.2%, while the percentage of agricultural women was more than double (4.4%).

According to the

study, more than 70% of hysterectomy surgeries are performed in private health facilities. Experts say that many private doctors encourage women to undergo this surgery even without need, especially when treatment and medicines can also be cured. The report said that in order to make profit, private doctors insist on hysterectomy, even if the problem is minor.

The report also pointed out that social taboos related to menstruation and limited knowledge of reproductive health are major reasons for the increasing cases of hysterectomy. Some women decide to have a uterus removed to avoid menstrual complications or to fear of reproductive health cancers.

The study also highlighted that the prevalence of hysterectomy is higher among women with health insurance coverage. The reason for this is that under the guise of insurance facility, private hospitals easily persuade these women for surgery.

Andhra Pradesh (12.6%), Telangana (11.1%), Bihar (8.6%) and Gujarat (6.2%) were among the states with the highest hysterectomy prevalence. The major causes were excessive bleeding (55.4%), fibroids/cysts (19.6%) and uterine diseases (13.9%).