Female genital mutilation (part I)

Female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female genital cutting and female circumcision] is the ritual cutting or removal of some or all of the external female genitalia.

Types of FGM:

FGM has no health benefits, and it harms girls and women in many ways. It involves removing and damaging healthy and normal female genital tissue and interferes with the natural functions of girls' and women's bodies.

Immediate complications can include:

• severe pain,

• excessive bleeding

• genital tissue swelling

• fever

• infections e.g., tetanus

• urinary problems

• wound healing problems

• injury to surrounding genital tissue

• shock

• death.

Long-term complications can include:

• urinary problems (painful urination, urinary tract infections);

• vaginal problems (discharge, itching, bacterial vaginosis, and other infections);

• menstrual problems (painful menstruations, difficulty in passing menstrual blood, etc.);

• scar tissue and keloid;

• sexual problems (pain during intercourse, decreased satisfaction, etc.);

• increased risk of childbirth complications (difficult delivery, excessive bleeding, need to resuscitate the baby, etc.) and newborn deaths;

• need for later surgeries: for example, the sealing or narrowing of the vaginal opening (Type 3) may lead to the practice of cutting open the sealed vagina later to allow for sexual intercourse and childbirth. Sometimes genital tissue is stitched again several times, including after childbirth, hence the woman goes through repeated opening and closing procedures, further increasing both immediate and long-term risks;

• psychological problems (depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, low self-esteem, etc.);

Please, think about this serious topic and share your opinion in the comments.

Have you heard of this process?

Does FGM exist in your country?

What is your opinion about FGM?