Surge In Hysterectomy Among Young Women: Can We Stop Putting Ourselves In Danger?

Several surveys and community-based prove that there is a surge in the number of women in India opting for hysterectomies to prevent pregnancy. Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure for the removal of the uterus. It has been the cause of concern since the Beed hysterectomy controversy in India came to light. Women are either forced to remove the uterus owing to their work, get rid of gynecological problems, or prevent pregnancy.

Rise In Hysterectomy In India

On behalf of the ministry of health and family welfare, the Union government informed the Supreme Court on 24 March in an affidavit that “in developed countries, hysterectomy is typically among premenopausal women above the age of 45 years. In India, it is consistently rising among young women ranging from 28 to 36 years of age. The gap of 9-17 years between Indian women compared to women in developed countries. The National Family And Health Survey Data (NFHS-5) for 2019-21 shows that 3.3 percent of women in the age group of 15-49 have undergone a hysterectomy, which increased from NFHS-4. On average the surveys reflect median age for a hysterectomy is 34.6 years. The numbers speak the larger picture of healthcare concerning women's sterilization. It seems grim! Why do women feel it is the only way to prevent pregnancy? Are they aware of the aftermath of such surgeries? Are doctors explaining the side effects of hysterectomy?

In some cases, doctors are blamed to suggest the removal of the uterus at the smallest sign of trouble instead of exploring other non-surgical procedures. Several times women are unaware of what these procedural surgeries do to the body. A woman might feel that for once and all it is an end to all the feminine problems but that's not the case. The pregnancy can be prevented, but the side effects of the surgery cannot be controlled.

Removing the uterus is removing a heart from the body of a woman, it is not wrong to say it is the second heart of the body Think if a huge and most important part of the body is missing. How the body will function? Women opting for a hysterectomy at a younger age can adversely impact their health. It can increase the risk of osteoporosis or weakening of bones and cardiovascular diseases. Besides, women are likely to suffer from many musculoskeletal disorders like back pain, muscle pain, and joint pain. Sometimes oophorectomy is also practiced with hysterectomy. Oophorectomy is a surgery for the removal of ovaries. Ovaries are a source of estrogen and its absence can cause an imbalance of hormone levels. So, in a way hysterectomy may seem reasonable but risky surgery to undergo. At least young women should avoid undergoing hysterectomy thinking of their future.

Even a doctor should not suggest such a major surgery over small issues. Secondly, why do women have to undergo such surgery to prevent pregnancy? There are other means to stop unwanted pregnancy, one should explore that. It could be taking contraceptive pills or men exploring the option of vasectomy. Again, pills have side effects, they can cause abdominal cramping, breast tenderness, and increased vaginal discharge or decreased libido. Besides, contraceptive pills have the ability to relatively increased the risk of breast cancer, as per a study.

On other hand, Vasectomy is surgery done to cut the supply of sperm to semen. It is a sort of male birth control that is irreversible at any point in life. However, men refrain from undergoing vasectomy, as it is a cultural taboo. Society still considered vasectomy a sign of being a lesser man. As per the NFHS-4 study, male sterilizations dropped from a negligible 0.6 percent to 0 percent. Also, women have little agency over practicing sterilization or family planning. It is the men or their families who decide on family planning and when women should get operated on. There is also a constant fear if not sterilized there are chances of having more children.

For hysterectomy or oral contraceptives, women must be aware of what their bodies will be going through. In the end, it is about their health. Women just to prevent pregnancy should not undergo hysterectomy and explore other options, one being asking their partner to undergo Vasectomy. It is your body, you have complete rights over it. Don't give it up under the pressure of patriarchy or societal norms.

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