Health Risks and Sexual Impairment
Female circumcision is a dangerous procedure. The danger in type I circumcision is mostly in the unsanitary conditions in which it is performed. These conditions may lead to staph infection and blood infection, both of which can be fatal without treatment. If it is done under medical supervision the only real risk it runs is heavy bleeding. Removal of the prepuce (clitoral hood) is proven to increase clitoral pleasure for women, so there may only be sexual injury from infection.
Type II FC is also prone to life threatening infection because it is most often done in unsanitary conditions. The risks are similar to those associated with type I. The difference is the sexual damage imposed by type II. With removal of the clitoris and labia minora it may become much harder for the woman to orgasm. Although, in the regions of the world where FC is practiced sex in which the man is behind the women is favored. This position is best for hitting a women’s g-spot, so circumcised women may still achieve orgasm, but may have trouble becoming lubricated because of the lack of clitoral foreplay.
Type III is the most dangerous in the short and long term. In the short term it can lead to the following:
- Hemorrhage
- Surgical mishap
- HIV transmission
- Infection
- Trauma to surrounding area (urethra and anus)
- Shock
- Death
In the long term it may lead to the following:
- Scarring of the area
- Recurring infection
- Harden tissue
- Still births
- Difficulty passing urine or menstrual blood
- Significant drop in or complete loss of sexual sensation
Recently there have been studies done about the risks of child birth after type III FC. A 2006 World Health Organization study turned out some enlightening results. It compared about 30,000 circumcised and uncircumcised women from 6 countries: Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sudan. Women who were circumcised where 31% more likely than uncircumcised women to have a caesarian section, 66% more likely that the baby needed resuscitation, and 55% more likely the child died before or after birth.