Study reveals 11.5% Indian Women opt for Hysterectomy

By: WE Staff | Friday, 24 May 2024

A study found that for every 100 women over 45 years old in India, at least 11 have undergone hysterectomies. The most common causes were excessive bleeding, fibroids/cysts, and uterine prolapse. Socio-economic disparities were noted, with the highest prevalence in southern states. Family size and having two or more children were also significant factors.

The author of the research mentioned, "We analyzed the responses of about 34,919 women in data collected by the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), which is an undertaking of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). Of the total, 4,016 women had undergone hysterectomies, which is around 11.5 per cent. The aim of our study was to find the cause of opting for a hysterectomy, as well as the regional and socioeconomic disparities within this group."

In India, hysterectomies are majorly caused by excessive bleeding in 20 per cent of women, 17.4 per cent of women face fibroids or cysts, and 12.2 per cent uterine prolapse. Southern states reported the highest 18.2 per cent cases of hysterectomies. The study also suggests that 7.22 per cent of women in China under a certain age opt for hysterectomies whereas 22.1 per cent of women in the US opt for this procedure.

The surgical procedure of removing the uterus for varied reasons, including abnormal bleeding, uterine prolapse, cancer prevention, and other conditions is a hysterectomy. It removes the entire uterus or the cervix, and surrounding organs like fallopian tubes and ovaries.