Health consequences of female genital mutilation

Abstract

The practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) is no longer confined to African countries where still every year 2 million girls at a young age are currently subjected to surgical ablation of parts of their external genital organs. Health professionals in Western countries, especially midwives and gynaecologists, are regularly confronted not only with the sequelae of excision and infibulation but also with parents’ requests to perform FGM or to repair a widened introı̈tus. The international community condemns firmly every attempt to continue this practice whether the original one in societies promoting FGM or a minor variety to be performed under medical conditions in order to prevent worse, as sometimes recommended by compassionate or tolerant people in Western countries or asked in Africa by educated parents or by immigrant parents in Europe and America. Consequences of FGM are medical, psychological and psycho-sexual as well. General practitioners, midwives and gynaecologists should be aware of this condition and most of all of the infibulation type as it might heavily affect reproductive and urological functioning of girls and women. Women original from areas where FGM is endemic should be extensively counseled, carefully examined and closely followed up, especially during pregnancy. A detailed plan of action should be established for pregnancy, delivery and post-partum period. Detailed information and appropriate illustrations are provided on defibulation techniques and procedures during delivery. The medical profession can play an important role in raising awareness about the harmful consequences of FGM and in preventing its application.