If you’ve never heard about a co-relation between pregnancy and gallstones, you are probably not the only one. Research indicates and experts agree, however, that there is a link between hormonal changes during pregnancy (primarily elevated oestrogen levels) that increases the risk of developing gallstones. While men, too, are at risk of developing the condition, gallstones affect more women than men.
A community-based cross-sectional study of the prevalence of gallstone disease in India published in BMJPublic Health earlier this month, notes that India exhibits heterogeneity in the GSD [gallstone disease] burden across different geographic regions.” But “the female gender is considered a potent risk factor for gallstones.” The study highlights that the prevalence of gallstones in females is 2–3 times higher compared to males, and females were prone to an earlier onset of the disease — approximately a decade earlier than males.
Why are women more at risk?
In November 2025, Pune-based clinical nutritionist Amita Gadre, in a post on social media, said that she had seen six cases of gallstones in a month in postpartum women. “Hormonal changes during this phase slow down gall bladder emptying,” and thus, elevate the risk, she explained. “Women are twice as likely as men to form cholesterol gallstones, and this gender difference begins during puberty and continues through the childbearing years. When oestrogen levels are elevated, this tells the liver to dump more cholesterol into bile than bile salts can dissolve, and when that happens, cholesterol crystallizes and gallstones are formed.” Oestrogen levels are often elevated via pregnancy, oral contraceptives, or hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
“Women are at higher risk of gallstones, and that risk increases during pregnancy. Increased hormones during pregnancy can cause higher cholesterol levels and delayed gallbladder emptying, which can lead to formation of gallstones” states a 2021 article on the JAMA Patient Page.
When there is too much cholesterol in the bile, and gallbladder movement is limited in flushing it out, a person is at risk of developing gallstones. Women’s hormonal lives, Ms. Gadre explained, keep pulling both levers in the wrong direction. “Women live in this hormonal environment repeatedly — through pregnancy, the pill, HRT — giving stones multiple chances to form” she said.
What do gallstones do?
While gallstones may not create problems in many cases, medical care is required in cases where there are severe episodes of pain. These painful episodes may occur when stones become too big or block the flow of bile.
When pain due to gallstones is excruciating and leads to frequent hospital visits, surgery may be required. Sanjay Chaurey, director of surgery at Pushpawati Singhania Hospital and Research Institute (PSRI), New Delhi explained that: “Gallbladder stones form when gallbladder functioning is impacted; therefore, surgery is the logical and most effective treatment option.” He added that if the patient was not fit for surgery, other interventions, mostly temporary, may be explored but surgery remains the best option.
On the risks of leaving gallstones untreated, Dr. Chaurey said these risks may vary. “Complications such as pain, infections or sometimes gallbladder perforation in a few cases [may occur]. The worst complication is pancreatitis [an inflammation of the pancreas]. This it can be mild, but can also be life-threatening.”
Gallbladder surgery is quite common and has a quick recovery time. But is life the same without a gallbladder? “Yes, it’s a misconception that one has to give up certain food options even long after the surgery. It is essential to understand that the flow of bile is still the same; nothing is done to the bile flow during the surgery. The bile will flow directly from the liver to the small intestine instead of [the] gallbladder,” Dr. Chaurey said.
While getting an organ removed may sound overwhelming, with proper care and attention, life can get back to normal and digestion normalises over time, he said.
Preventing stones
The common thread when it comes to gallbladder stone formation, Ms. Gadre explained, is too much cholesterol in the bile and not enough gallbladder movement to flush it out.
Obesity matters, she explained, because fat tissue secretes oestrogen, adding to the hormonal burden. “Rapid weight loss is counterintuitive but real — starving or crash dieting floods bile with cholesterol,” she said.
For women, she noted, “pregnancy stacks the risk with every child — and postpartum women compound it further with high-fat traditional diets and crash dieting.”
Diets should incorporate high-fibre foods consisting of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes; healthy fats — olive oil, nuts, avocado (they stimulate gallbladder emptying) and lean proteins — fish, chicken, lentils. Water is important, as staying hydrated keeps bile flowing. What needs to be avoided in the diet is equally crucial: saturated and trans fats — fried foods, processed snacks, red meat, refined carbs and sugar — white bread, sweets, sugary drinks.
Crash dieting — rapid weight loss is a major trigger; lose weight slowly and steadily. Skipping meals — long gaps between meals allow bile to stagnate is also a no-no.
The simple rule, she said, was to keep the gallbladder moving. “Eating regular, balanced meals with healthy fats does exactly that. What clogs it is a combination of too much bad fat, too much sugar, too little fibre — and ironically, eating too little.”
(Nabeela Khan is a Delhi-based health and science journalist. nabeelainayati@gmail.com)
Published – February 24, 2026 12:44 pm IST