1. Clitoridectomy-Removal of the skin surrounding the clitoris with or without excision of part or all of the clitoris and sometimes the surrounding skin. 85% of women who undergo female genital mutilation undergo a clitoridectomy.
<http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;102/1/153>
2. Infibulation-Also known as
pharonic circumcision, it is a practice where the clitoris is removed
as well as some
or all of the
labia minora. Incisions are made in the labia majora to create raw
surfaces that are then stitched
together or kept in contact by pressure until they
form as a “hood
of skin” that covers the urethra and most of
the vagina. A small opening is reconstructed for
urinating, and menstrual
blood to pass
through. This practice makes it impossible for women
to have sex because in order
to have sex recutting and reshaping must be performed.
Infibulation is
the most severe form of female genital mutilation
and practiced most
highly in
Sudan, Somalia, and Djibouti.
<http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;102/1/153>
3. Excision-the removal of the entire clitoris and part or all of the labia minora and the vaginal opening is left uncovered making it prone to infection.
<http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;102/1/153>
Side Effects
- Bleeding-Clitoridectomy cuts through the clitoral artery and to stop this bleeding the artery must be tied with suture either of which may slip and cause hemorrhages. Protracted bleeding commonly leads to anemia, which can student growth and cause death.
- Infection-Infection, most commonly tetanus, are caused by unsteadies cutting tools or because the area becomes soaked in urine and contaminated by feces. In cases of infibulation the raw wound is larger than in a clitoridectomy the risk of infection and abscess is higher.
- Pain-It is said that infibulation is the most severe form type FGM. Despite this all are incredibly painful, most procedures are performed with no anesthetic,and in the rare case that it is used it is used more to satisfy relatives not to ease a child’s pain.
- Urine Retention-After the operation is performed the vulva becomes very inflamed and the child is unable to pee for hours to days, this not only increases pain but it creates a breeding ground for urinary tract infections, causes back pain, and puts negative pressure on the kidneys.
- Cysts-It is very common for cysts may form on stitch line and most places where FGM is practiced they do not have the medical resources to treat this.
- Menstrual Cycle-After infibulation is performed the menstrual flow is often disrupted.
- Chronic Pelvic Infection-Chronic Pelvic Infection can cause back and menstrual pain, irregularity, and vaginal discharge.
<http://www.path.org/files/FGM-The-Facts.htm>