The association between female genital cutting and correlates of sexual and gynaecological morbidity in Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Objective To examine the association between female genital cutting and frequency of sexual and gynaecological symptoms among a cohort of cut versus uncut women in Edo State of Nigeria. Design Cross sectional study.Setting Women attending family planning and antenatal clinics at three hospitals in Edo State, South -south Nigeria. Population 1836 healthy premenopausal women.Methods The sample included 1836 women. Information about type of female genital cutting was based on medical exams while a structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on the women's sociodemographic characteristics, their ages of first menstruation (menarche), first intercourse, marriage and pregnancy, sexual history and experiences of symptoms of reproductive tract infections. Associations between female genital cutting and these correlates of sexual and gynaecologic morbidity were analysed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression and Cox models. Main outcome measures Frequency of self-reported orgasm achieved during sexual intercourse and symptoms of reproductive tract infections. Results Forty-five percent were circumcised and 71% had type 1, while 24% had type 2 female genital cutting. No significant differences between cut and uncut women were observed in the frequency of reports of sexual intercourse in the preceding week or month, the frequency of reports of early arousal during intercourse and the proportions reporting experience of orgasm during intercourse. There was also no difference between cut and uncut women in their reported ages of menarche, first intercourse or first marriage in the multivariate models controlling for the effects of socio-economic factors. In contrast, cut women were 1.25 times more likely to get pregnant at a given age than uncut women. Uncut women were significantly more likely to report that the clitoris is the most sexually sensitive part of their body (OR ¼ 0.35, 95% CI ¼ 0.26 -0.47), while cut women were more likely to report that their breasts are their most sexually sensitive body parts (OR ¼ 1.91; 95% CI ¼ 1.51 -2.42). Cut women were significantly more likely than uncut women to report having lower abdominal pain (OR ¼ 1.54, 95% CI ¼ 1.11 -2.14), yellow bad-smelling vaginal discharge (OR ¼ 2.81, 95% CI ¼ 1.54-5.09), white vaginal discharge (OR ¼ 1.65, 95% CI ¼ 1.09 -2.49) and genital ulcers (OR ¼ 4.38, 95% CI ¼ 1.13 -17.00). Conclusion Female genital cutting in this group of women did not attenuate sexual feelings. However, female genital cutting may predispose women to adverse sexuality outcomes including early pregnancy and reproductive tract infections. Therefore, female genital cutting cannot be justified by arguments that suggest that it reduces sexual activity in women and prevents adverse outcomes of sexuality. INTRODUCTIONThe WHO 1 has defined female genital mutilation as all procedures that involve the partial or total removal of the female external genitalia and/or injury to the female genital organs for cultural or any other non-therapeutic reasons. Although the t...

Female genital mutilation/cutting and issues of sexuality in Egypt

“…Hence, measurement of this is believed to say something about women desire for and pleasure in sex. 27,35,40 However studies have also shown that women's motives for engaging in and initiating sex go far beyond sexual desire, and include both emotional and practical aspects as well, including duty, desire for children, and the hope that sexual favours may result in material benefits from the husband. 41 Our study also found that local sociocultural gender norms also had a strong influence on whether women could initiate sex, and the ways in which they could do so.…”

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“…However researchers have documented that the reduced sexual pleasure associated with FGC could lead them into having multiple sexual partners with the hope that sexual satisfaction will be discovered with one of them. 29 In summary, adolescents in the NDR initiate sex early and practice unprotected sex. They do not use the condom and so are prone to contracting STIs and unintended pregnancies.…”

In Their Own Words: The Health and Sexuality of Immigrant Women with Infibulation Living in Switzerland

“…pain, bleeding, urinary retention, infection and shock bound to the event) [24,25]; (2) long-term medical consequences (e.g. pelvic infections, infertility, menstrual difficulties and obstetric problems) [26,27]; (3) and sexual [28,29], mental and social consequences (e.g. change of sexual sensitivity, anxiety and depression) [30][31][32].…”