You all might have heard about circumcision for men. But did you know that there is female circumcision too? Well, if you didn’t, you will learn about it today.

Unlike male circumcision, female circumcision doesn't have any particular medical benefits. Not just that, it is unethical and can cause serious health issues for the women.

Though generally considered a human rights violation, as per reports of UNICEF, about 200 million girls and women have undergone circumcision. A majority of this is done way before a girl turns 15.

Let us now see in detail about this very violent violation of human rights.

What is female circumcision?0

Well, female circumcision might be a lavishly buttered name. It is medically termed as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). It is called by different names such as sunnah, halalays, tahur, megrez, khitan etc.

As the name itself suggets, FGM involves, all kinds of procedures, through which, external genitalia of a woman is removed patially or fully. It could also be some kind of injury of genital organs of a woman. And all this is done without any medical reasons.

It is performed on young girls before their puberty, ie, somewhere between when they are infants and 15. Horrifying, isn’t it? Well there is more.

What are the different types of female circumcision?

There are 4 major types of female circumcision and the following table explains each of them:-

Is there any medical basis for female circumcision?

No, there isn’t any scientific or medical basis for female circumcision.

We can say that it is another form of gender inequality. Like we said before, about 200 million girls/women undergo circumcision every year.

Some people do this as a part of rite of passage - a ceremony marking the transition from childhood to adulthood. But most of the time, this is done to girls, to protect their chastity (or so they say).

It is illegal in many parts of the world.

What are the after effects of Female circumcision?

Female circumcision does not have any particular health benefits. Not only that, it causes serious problems for women

During circumcision, healthy and normal tissues in genital areas are removed. It can result in damage to the tissues. So, it prevents female body from functioning naturally

Let us classify the after effects of female circumcision into two

Besides this, if you went through female circumcision, in future you might have to go for other surgeries too.

For example, if you undergo Type 3 circumcision (infibulation), your vaginal opening may get sealed or narrowed. So, inorder for you to have sexual intercourse or deliver your child, this area will be cut open again. This repeated cutting and opening pose severe risk to you.

Read About Circumcision Treatment Cost

Where is female circumcision prevalent?

Female circumcision is performed when a girl child is still in her infant stage or before she approaches adolescence. Sometimes, it is done to grown adult women too.

As per estimates, about 30 million girls are still under the risk of this dangerous violent violation of human rights.

It is practised in some Western, Eastern, and North African countries, and some parts of Asia and Middle East.

Why do some health care providers perform female circumcision?

• They believe that if a medically trained professional performs this circumcision, risk rate can be reduced.

• Some even believe that it could lead to full abandonment of this practice. (Well, can we blame them? Majority of people will oppose anything that a medical community endorses, for example, vaccination.)

• They belong to the community which follows this practice.

• For financial benefits.

Is there any future treatment for female circumcision?

A surgery can be performed to open the narrowed vaginal canal. This procedure is known as Deinfibulation.

If a woman is unable to have sex or if she experiences difficulty while peeing after the circumcision, they will be recommended for deinfibulation.

The scar tissue over the vaginal entrance is cut or incised during the surgery. Before surgery, you will be given a local anaesthesia. You won’t have to stay overnight in the hospital either.

But some women will need a general anaesthesia or an injection in the back which is known as epidural. This might demand a stay in hospital for a small period.

Pregnant women who have undergone circumcision, if experiencing some kind of risk during her pregnancy period or during delivery, can also choose deinfibulation.

Though it can be done during any time, if possible should be done before getting pregnant. Before reaching the last 2 months of pregnancy is also a good time for surgery.