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Female Genital Mutilation And Its Side Effects On Women

Female Genital Mutilation And Its Side Effects On Women

female-genital-mutilation-and-its-side-effects-on-women

Female genital mutilation is any kind of procedure that involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia. This is mostly a cultural process and is often carried out by a traditional mutilator (for lack of a better word), an elder, or a trusted community member.

In some cultures, it is believed that in order to keep the female chaste till she’s ready for marriage, it is imperative to mutilate her. While some others use it as a form of contraceptive to prevent pregnancy, especially in female slaves. Also, on some occasions, it’s done during the early stage of the marriage rites.

The reasons and origin behind female genital mutilation vary per culture and religion, but what remains prevalent in this procedure is the ushering of the female into womanhood and an initiation into a group of other mature women. While the world clamors against this procedure, the young women involved are proud and willing to undergo this process for reasons engraved in their minds. This thought pattern has been sold to young females as soon as they become aware of their bodies in preparation for adulthood. This is argued as being consensual but it just might be the mental programming of a long-standing tradition.

Different types of female genital mutilation

vagina-female-genital-mutilation-and-its-side-effects-on-women
Photo: cottonbro | Pexels

According to WHO, female genital mutilation is classified into 4 major types.

  • Type 1: This is the partial or total removal of the clitoral glans (the external and visible part of the clitoris, which is a sensitive part of the female genitals), and/or the prepuce/ clitoral hood (the fold of skin surrounding the clitoral glans).
  • Type 2: This is the partial or total removal of the clitoral glans and the labia minora (the inner folds of the vulva), with or without removal of the labia majora (the outer folds of skin of the vulva ).
  • Type 3: Also known as infibulation, this is the narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of a covering seal. The seal is formed by cutting and repositioning the labia minora, or labia majora, sometimes through stitching, with or without removal of the clitoral prepuce/clitoral hood and glans (Type I FGM).
  • Type 4: This includes all other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, e.g. pricking, piercing, incising, scraping, and cauterizing the genital area.

Deinfibulation refers to the practice of cutting open the sealed vaginal opening of a woman who has been infibulated, which is often necessary for improving health and well-being as well as allowing intercourse or facilitating childbirth.

While they have good and sincere reasons for carrying out this procedure, arguably, the side effects outweigh whatever benefits they may seem to enjoy.

Here are some side effects of female genital mutilation…

#1. Infections

Photo: Pixabay | Pexels

Imagine using a razor or knife to cut your vagina. Of course, something is most likely going to go wrong. For example, the wound may not heal properly and in addition to the pain, it is prone to infections. How about the instruments used to carry out the procedure? There’s the risk of contracting diseases like HIV.

#2. Keloids

keloids-female-genital-mutilation-and-its-side-effects-on-women
Photo: Shane | Unsplash

Female genital mutilation often results in excessive scar tissues at the spot being mutilated. This is sure to disfigure the young lady’s private part. Worse still, there’s no telling how larger the keloids can get. Totally not worth it.

#3. Low sex drive

Alex Green | Pexels

One of the goals is to curb the sexual appetites of females, but this stays with her even after marriage. Female genital mutilation can cause painful sexual intercourse and an unsatisfied bride. This would eventually lead to an unhealthy sexual relationship with her spouse and that’s a whole different problem that could have been avoided.

#4. Childbirth complications

female-genital-mutilation-and-its-side-effects-on-women
Photo: João Paulo de Souza Oliveira | Pexels

Female genital mutilation can lead to a difficult delivery, tears, postpartum hemorrhage, and a high rate of stillborn.

#5. Mental health issues

Photo: Anna Shvets | Pexels

First of all, to believe the validation of your womanhood is dependent on cutting some parts of your vagina might be a sign of disguised low self-esteem. Also, it’s been recorded that while a number of these young women create a façade of joy and pride on the outside, they do it just because of the stigma attached to going rogue. Many of them face post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression that come with silently wishing their family members would stand up against the practice and face the negative effects of female genital mutilation.

How can we solve this problem?

female-genital-mutilation-and-its-side-effects-on-women
Photo: WHO
  • Awareness and advocacy would go a kind way to desensitization.
  • Gathering knowledge and proof that it is harmful to the woman and being able to communicate this information to members of communities practicing female genital mutilation.
  • Counseling! This would help both women affected by the practice and inform community members about the side effects of female genital mutilation.

This is a cultural practice and obviously won’t be changed overnight but Rome wasn’t built in a day. Volunteer or donate to awareness programs near you and help a young lady today.

Featured image: Muhammadtaha Ibrahim Ma’aji | Pexels


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