Lived experiences of rural women undergoing hysterectomy in telangana, India: a feminist qualitative study

Background Hysterectomy has emerged as a significant reproductive health concern among rural women in Telangana, India, where socioeconomic vulnerability, limited healthcare access, and gendered inequalities often shape women's health decisions. Objective To explore the lived experiences of rural women undergoing hysterectomy and examine the social, economic, psychological, and health-related implications associated with the procedure. Materials and methods A qualitative case study informed by feminist and reproductive justice perspectives was conducted. Purposive sampling was used to recruit women from rural areas of Telangana who had undergone hysterectomy. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted in participants’ residential settings. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis framework. Results The findings revealed four major themes: (1) financial burden; (2) health outcomes and complications; (3) medical decision-making; and (4) Social and Familial Impact. Participants described experiences of chronic pain, economic hardship, psychological suffering, loss of work capacity, and limited participation in healthcare decision-making. The findings further highlighted how patriarchal norms, inadequate healthcare regulation, and poor access to ethical gynecological care intensified women's vulnerability. Conclusion The study shows that hysterectomy among rural women in Telangana reflects gender inequality and reproductive injustice beyond its medical implications. The findings highlight the need for ethical healthcare practices, informed consent, and accessible reproductive health services for marginalized women.