Abstract
More than 130 million women worldwide have undergone female genital cutting (FGC).
FGC is practiced in parts of Africa and Asia, in societies with various cultures and
religions. Reasons for the continuing practice of FGC include rite of passage, preserving
chastity, ensuring marriageability, religion, hygiene, improving fertility, and enhancing
sexual pleasure for men. The World Health Organization has classified FGC into four
types depending on the extent of tissue removed. Immediate complications include hemorrhage,
infection, sepsis, and death. Long-term complications include pain, scarring, urinary
issues, and poor obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Efforts are being made nationally
and internationally to eradicate this practice. In December 2012, the UN General Assembly
accepted a resolution on the elimination of FGC. Although it is illegal to perform
FGC in the United States, women from countries where the practice occurs have been
and are still immigrating here. Many enter as refugees from war-torn, famine-stricken,
or politically unstable countries. They bring along with them their cultural pride,
health complications, and fears of being judged when visiting a health provider. A
deeper understanding of the history, cultural beliefs, medical complications, and
methods of surgical reconstruction is necessary to provide culturally and linguistically
competent care to this unique group of women.
Keywords
female genital cutting - mutilation - circumcision
