Female circumcision can negatively affects female sexual function and psychological health

Abstract

Background: Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is any procedures that cause injury to the female external genitalia without medical causes. The existing literature is contradictory regarding effects of FGM/C on sexual functions. Objectives: to identify the differences between circumcised and non-circumcised females in sexual function, psychological health and female genital hormones. Methods: This was a case control study performed on 115 females divided into 2 groups; group (A) including 21 females not exposed to FGM and group (B) including 94 females exposed to any type of FGM. All the participants were subjected to full history taking and laboratory assessment of FSH, LH, prolactin, Estradiol (E2), free and total testosterone levels. Sexual functions were assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire and psychological health effects were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21) questionnaire. Results: 94 (81.7%) of females were circumcised and the rest 21 (18.3%) non circumcised. From the circumcised females; 81 (86.2%) were of type 1 and the remaining 13 (13.5%) were of type 2. The total FSFI score was significantly lower in circumcised females (25.16±2.93) compared to non-circumcised females (28.10±2.98). The majority of females with circumcision suffered from moderate stress (50%), moderate anxiety (37.2%) and mild depression (34.2%). There was no effect of FGM/C on hormonal profile. Conclusions: FGM/C is associated with reduced sexual functions as well as significant reduction in desire, arousal and satisfaction domains. Depression, anxiety and stress were higher in circumcised females; however the difference was non-significant.