Evaluation of Psychological and Sexual Effects of Female Genital Mutilation (Circumcision)

Abstract

Background: female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female circumcision (FC), but more recently as female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) according to the World Health Organization (WHO), has occurred in many forms in all societies. The psychosocial consequences include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, panic disorders, depression and suppression of feeling and thinking, and sometimes attempted suicide. Objective: To evaluate sexual and psychological effects of female genital mutilation. Patients and Methods: The two groups were compared as regard many demographic data such as age, level of education, associated chronic diseases and previous gynecological history. The results revealed no significant difference between the two groups in the educational level. The females in the two groups also showed significant difference in their agreement with the process and subsequently in their future decision in performing circumcision for their daughters. Other demographic data included in this study revealed no difference between the studied groups. Results: The study used different questionnaires and scores to compare the sexual satisfaction and psychological effects of the females in the study. For assessment of sexual satisfaction, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire translated into Arabic was used and showed no significant difference between the two groups except for only a single domain lubrication. Conclusion: Concerning the psychiatric analysis of the two groups, Anxiety Hamilton score and Depression Beck score were used and showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the two scores. Also 19% of the females in the group of FGM showed positive symptoms for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).