| Author | Khin Zar Naing |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.GD-06-05 |
| Subject(s) | Hysterectomy--Social aspects--Myanmar
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. GD-06-05 |
| Abstract | "Hysterectomy (surgical removal of uterus) and oophorectomy (surgical removal of ovaries)"
are the most controversial women-specific operations and the most familiar surgical procedure
to women and embodies many of the complexities around medical involvement in women's
reproduction. Hysterectomy and oophorectomy are issues for women today in developed
countries and many debates (e.g., rate of hysterectomy and unnecessary surgeries, removal of
healthy ovaries in the same operation, etc.) are widely explored since 1970. But research on
hysterectomy in developing countries is scarce. There is no previous research about the lived
experiences of Myanmar women with hysterectomy.
The study explores the lived experiences of 33 Myanmar women who have undergone
hysterectomy with or without oophorectomy both for benign and malignant conditions. Due to
gynecological surgery, women have cessation of menstruation, infe1tility, and loss of hormones
produced by ovaries. These post operative consequences have challenged female identity,
especially for women who have not had children. Sexuality and sense of being a woman are
affected. Change from a normal female body to less than complete leads to discrimination and
stigmatization which may in turn have further negative impact on women's identity and their
gender role in family and in society. Aftermath of hysterectomy and oophorectomy sometimes
includes severe menopausal problems and psychological problems, thereby reducing the daily
functioning and life expectancy of women concerned.
The study reveals the medicalization of women's bodies and how this medical intervention has
effect on women's socially constructed bodies under the Buddhist and Myanmar cultural context.
Many Myanmar women are led to believe by gynecologists that all their troubles originate in
their pelvic organs and they naturally tend to the view that they will be cured by having
everything removed. In addition, various sociological factors such as low socioeconomic
situation, lack of knowledge on their own bodies and less of chances to make a choice
influenced Myanmar women's decisions to agree to hysterectomy and oophorectomy.
Medicalization of women's reproductive organs-surgical removal of healthy ovaries in
hysterectomy operation- and ignoring of medically induced problems by gynecologists -
inadequate counseling and no administration of ERT- have resulted in a more vulnerable and
helpless condition especially in adjusting their sexual lives for particularly those who lost both
of their ovaries in the hysterectomy operation.
The study shows how imp01tant the role of motherhood for Myanmar woman is, and highlights
the meaning of children and family in Myanmar society for both husbands and wives. The
ability to give birth is the main thing of being a woman- is imperative for Myanmar women.
Therefore, losing their ability to give birth creates loss of identity. The women's stories highlight
how they retain and reclaim their gender identity after the crisis of operation, as well as how
they tackle and resist the aftermath of the operation. The experiences of the operated women
vary by their marital status and whether or not they have given birth.
Maintaining biological bodies is the most important and fundamental need for Myanmar women
to have their socially constructed bodies. Medical approaches fail to understand the impact of
gynecological surgeries on the social construction of womanhood.
|
| Year | 2006 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. GD-06-05 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Gender and Development Studies (GD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Earth, Barbara |
| Examination Committee(s) | Resurreccion, Bernadette P.;
Ahmad, Mokbul Morshed |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institute of Technology (Fellowship);World Bank Grant Scholarship Program |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2006 |