According to a recent study, at least 11 out of every 100 women over 45 years of age, have undergone hysterectomies. The most common causes cited were uterine prolapse, fibroids/cysts, and heavy bleeding. Other important factors included socio-economic differences (with the southern states having the highest incidence) two or more children and the size of the family.
A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure in which the uterus is removed for various reasons, such as irregular bleeding, uterine prolapse, cancer prevention, and other such conditions. It involves the removal of the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and the entire uterus or cervix.
In India, 20 per cent of hysterectomies are found to be due to heavy bleeding, 17.4 per cent due to fibroids or cysts, and 12.2 per cent experience uterine prolapse. The maximum number of cases of hysterectomy surgeries were reported from the southern states - 18.2 per cent. According to the survey, many women in the demographic considered uterine excision to be a ‘convenient option.’
The study was published on May 10 in the peer-reviewed journal Women’s Reproductive Health. It dives into more detail about the socioeconomic barriers at play in this situation. It reveals that women with higher incomes often get a hysterectomy done to relieve themselves from menstrual pain, whereas women with lower incomes are more likely to get it done for uterine prolapse and other reasons.
The study found that 22.1 per cent of US women over 45 years reported having a hysterectomy, while 7.22 per cent of women in a similar age group chose to undergo the same in China. The study also reveals that many women undergo hysterectomies as a prophylactic procedure, either due to rampant recommendations made by doctors as a preventive surgery or in order to take advantage of government schemes.
Image source: Down to earth, ORF online