Women’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract functions differently from that of men. There is a subtle difference in the way the digestion process works in men and women. Women are more prone to developing IBS, Crohn’s disease, and cholelithiasis (gallstone).

Indian women often have a general lack of healthcare-seeking behaviour. Which makes them more vulnerable to go undiagnosed, or, worse, misdiagnosed, further complicating treatment and the risk of an emergency. This has to change.

Dr Vijay Kumar Rai is a leading gastro surgeon in Kolkata who is the founder of the LivGastro clinic in Beleghata, which is also the first clinic in the city to introduce “integrative” gastro care. Speaking to a group of young doctors at a medical convention in the city, Dr Rai emphasised the importance of preventive care for women.

“It is not as hard to find a dependable gastrology doctor in Kolkata nowadays, or multispeciality hospitals that implement high-precision procedures,” explained Dr Rai. “It does not change the fact, however, that GI surgeries are sometimes extremely complicated and risk-orientated, which can affect quality of life. Women must not take the common abdominal pain or bloody stool for granted.” Added the doctor.

Types of Gastro Problems That Are More Common in Women

A recent report published in Scientific Research evaluating gender differences in GI surgeries in India suggests that biliary and gallbladder stones are most common in women, which frequently require surgical intervention. Below are some of the most common GI disorders that have a greater prevalence in women than men:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Often caused by hormonal imbalances stemming from the menstrual cycle, stress, and anxiety that affect gut health and the GI tract. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, and chronic constipation.

• Celiac Disease: This is an autoimmune disorder that affects the small intestine. The cause of it is quite unclear; women who are diagnosed with this disorder are commonly found to have excessive gluten in their diet. Since there are no acute symptoms, women are less likely to see a gastrology doctor in Kolkata to talk about their difficulty passing stool. Celiac disease is mostly revealed in diagnoses of other disorders like anaemia and osteoporosis.

• Cholelithiasis (gallstone): Hardened deposits of bile form in the gallbladder and grow over time. Even though generally harmless, the stones can obstruct normal gallbladder function and increase the risk of bacterial infection.

• Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: This occurs commonly in women after childbirth, including postpartum urinary issues and difficulty relaxing and coordinating the muscles in the pelvic floor during bowel movements. Even though the condition resolves normally on its own within 2-4 months, seeking medical advice is recommended to promote postpartum pelvic health and prevent complications.

Importance of Preventive Gastro Care in Women

Despite newer advancements in GI treatment like minimally invasive Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and robot-assisted procedures and the availability of highly qualified gastrology doctors in Kolkata, Indian women have a generally higher mortality rate compared to males. Why?

“Surgery is not as straightforward a medical approach as people perceive it to be,” elaborated Dr. Rai. "Yes, we have minimally invasive methods and equipment now, and finding a renowned gastro surgeon in Kolkata is easier," he continued. "Yet, I personally treat more women undergoing emergency procedures than elective ones, which is evidence enough that women are less likely to seek timely diagnosis and endure it until someone else has to decide for them."

Mortality rates are a big wayfinder here. Mortality following emergency gastrointestinal surgery is as much as 5 times greater compared to that of elective gastrointestinal surgery.

A recent medical survey published in Scientific Research highlighted the fact that women are more tolerant during emergencies, which shows in their lower mortality rates compared to that of men. However, the general mortality rate is higher in women.

Small intensive surgeries following bowel resection are more prevalent in men than women. Women more prevalently have biliary surgeries via laparoscopic cholecystectomy which is less invasive than open resection.

Despite this, mortality is higher in females in most GI organs, while only the spleen and pancreas have a higher mortality in men. The key finding from this data is that there are a lesser number of women in Kolkata, as is in many parts of India, seeking medical attention at the right time and surgery, which comes across less exposure to non-surgical preparations.

Dr Vijay Rai Redefined the Role of a Gastro Surgeon in Kolkata

Dr Vijay Rai’s gastroenterology clinic in Beleghata, LivGastro, aggregates the doctor’s 15 years of expertise and modern approaches to create a comfortable environment for women to address their issues, even the minor ones, to a well-qualified gastrology doctor in Kolkata.

Recognizing the often-overlooked issues surrounding women's GI health, Dr Rai has spearheaded many campaigns to spread awareness about acute health conditions that disproportionately affect women. Dr Rai and his team’s commitment to patient education has forged LivGastro as a trusted figure in Kolkata’s GI healthcare sector.