Effects on health

Immediate complications for all types of FGM

Bleeding, pain, shock, wound infection, urine retention, injury to other tissues, ulceration of genitals and blood-borne infections.

Source: Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 2015, Green-top Guideline no 53

Long term physical complications

Pain, abscesses, infections, cysts, painful sexual intercourse and sexual dysfunction, recurrent urinary tract infections, childbirth trauma, and in type 3 death of mother and/or baby during the labour

Source: Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 2015, Green-top Guideline no 53

Psychological consequences

All forms of FGM cause emotional trauma. It can cause flashbacks, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Women and girls can lose trust in parents and elders.

Source: The FGM National Clinical Group 2015, http://www.fgmnationalgroup.org/psychological_aspects.htm

Survivors speak up

Fatou and Makaddy talk about being survivors of FGM and their mission to protect others from FGM.