If this was not alarming enough, The proportion was highest in Punjab and Andhra Pradesh where at least one in five women above 45 had the surgery. In Andhra Pradesh (23.1 per cent) and Punjab (21.2 per cent) at least one in every five elderly women had undergone the surgery.
It is found that around 11% above 45 age has gone through this surgery which is also known as hysterectomy.
What is a hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the uterus. There a several types of hysterectomy, depending on what’s removed:
- A partial hysterectomy removes the uterus but leaves the cervix intact.
- A standard hysterectomy removes both uterus and cervix.
- A total hysterectomy removes the uterus, cervix, and one or both ovaries and fallopian tubes.
What are the short-term side-effects?
Having a hysterectomy can cause several short-term physical side effects. Some may also experience emotional side effects during the recovery process.
The uterus is a crucial organ for pregnancy. Removing it means that you won’t be able to get pregnant, which can be a hard adjustment for some. You’ll also stop menstruating after having a hysterectomy. For some, this is a huge relief. But even if you’re feeling relieved, you can still experience a sense of loss
The lowest proportion of women got hysterectomy in the north-eastern states of India. In Assam, 3.3 per cent, in Arunachal Pradesh 3.1 per cent, in Nagaland 1.7 per cent and in Meghalaya just 0.92 per cent underwent the operation.
What appears truly shocking is that, a higher proportion of women (15 per cent) went for the operation in urban India, where the level of education is higher among women, compared to rural India (10 per cent), the report said. The major reason for the surgery among urban women was uterine fibroids while that among rural women was menstrual disorder.
Let us look at the reasons why this surgery is performed?
- Cancer that contributes to 1.8 per cent
- Uterine prolapse (sliding of the uterus from its normal position into the vaginal canal) contributes to 14 per cent
- Excessive menstrual bleeding or pain which contributes to about 29 per cent of all hysterectomies in elderly women
- Uterine disorders (rupture) or injury that contribute to 7 per cent
Are there any health risks?
Hysterectomy is a major surgery. Like all surgeries, it comes with a number of immediate risks. These risks include:
- Major blood loss
- Damage to surrounding tissues, including the bladder, urethra, blood vessels, and nerves
- Blood clots
- Infection
- Anesthesia side effects
- Bowel blockage
