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New Delhi, January 6, 2025 – An alarming analysis of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 4 data from 2015-16 has revealed that approximately five percent of Indian women aged 25-49 have undergone hysterectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the uterus. The study, which examined the data of over 4.5 lakh rural and urban women, also found that heavy menstrual bleeding is the most common condition among those who underwent the surgery.
The research, conducted by experts from the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) in Mumbai and the National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW) in New Delhi, suggests that about five out of every 100 women in this age group have had a hysterectomy. The findings were published in the Journal of Medical Evidence.
The study also highlights that women employed in agriculture are 32 percent more likely to undergo hysterectomy compared to women in other occupations. This statistic raises concerns about the disparities in access to healthcare, especially in rural and agricultural areas.
The report identifies regions such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Bihar as having particularly high rates of hysterectomies. These states have been the subject of previous debates surrounding unnecessary hysterectomies, with reports highlighting a high incidence of uterus-removal surgeries, particularly among low-income women. In addition, these states have high levels of health insurance coverage for women of reproductive age.
Several factors contribute to the high hysterectomy rates in these areas, according to the study’s authors. They point to issues like menstrual taboos, limited awareness of gynecological health, and poor reproductive hygiene as key reasons behind the surge in surgical removals of the uterus. Additionally, some women opt for the procedure to alleviate the pain associated with heavy menstruation or due to concerns about the potential for cancer, while others view the uterus as dispensable after childbirth.
The study also suggests that a lack of job security in agriculture may influence women’s decision to undergo a hysterectomy, as many seek a way to alleviate health-related issues without impacting their work and livelihood.
Educational status, rural living, and higher household income were also found to be factors associated with higher rates of hysterectomy. Furthermore, the study revealed that nearly two-thirds of the hysterectomies performed in India were conducted in private healthcare facilities, raising concerns about the profit-driven motives behind the increasing trend of these surgeries.
The findings underscore the need for improved access to quality healthcare, particularly for women in agriculture, as well as enhanced sexual and reproductive health education across India. The study calls for better healthcare policies and awareness campaigns to ensure that women receive appropriate medical care and are not subjected to unnecessary surgeries due to socio-cultural and economic pressures.
The analysis prompts urgent questions regarding the adequacy of women’s healthcare and the need to address systemic barriers in reproductive health for marginalized populations across the country.
