Long-Term Affects of Female Genital Cutting
Female Genital Cutting (FGC) can be extremely damaging to a woman’s life. FGC can occur in any of four different stages, ranging from the removal of the clitoris to stitching the labia together. All stages can impact a woman’s sexual, physical, and mental health.
A study published by The International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics (June 2007), researched the long-term affects of FGC by comparing the health of women who underwent FGC to women who did not. The study examined 264 newly married women, of which 76% had undergone FGC. The study found that women who experienced FGC were more likely to also experience painful menstrual periods, sexual dysfunction (loss of libido and failure to orgasm), intercourse pain, marital problems, and obstetric problems (tears during birth and episiotomies).
The study took an important step by defining what problems exist for women who have undergone FGC. However, if these women are to receive true benefit or help, we need to probe further and examine what treatment options can help.
We believe that manual physical therapy is one option that should be considered. CPT treated its first patient with FGC when a young woman came to us for the treatment of blocked fallopian tubes. We found that the circumcision she experienced caused scar tissue to form, creating tension throughout her vagina. Our therapists surmised that this constant tension caused chronic inflammation within her vagina and reproductive tract, creating more adhesions that eventually blocked her fallopian tubes.
Our therapists gently worked with this woman to reduce tension and restore proper mobility to her reproductive tract. After treatment, she completed a follow-up test and found that her fallopian tubes had opened. She also found that our treatment helped reduce intercourse pain, improve sexual function, and reduce menstrual pain.
To learn more about our treatment for FGC, please visit our FGC page.
Tags: Female Genital Cutting
