I have an honest and genuine question about female circumsicsion (sp?) / genital mutilation

[CrushWithEyeliner]

I have a friend who recently told me she can't have penetrative sex as she has been circumsised when still a child. She has been quite traumatised by it all and I didn't want to ask her any further questions on the matter.

However I am confused as to why this procedure would be performed in certain "tribes". Aside from the patent barbaric nature of it (imo) it leaves Women unable to have sex and therefore procreate, which doesn't seem to make any sense whatsoever. Does anyone have any knowledge on the subject to expand on my question. Thanks

I think it's just a very brutal way of trying to control a woman's sexuality so that men can feel secure that 'their' woman is not unfaithful and conceiving children by other men.

In this sort of society, a lot of men aren't really very interested in whether or not a woman wants to have sex. There's not much concern with whether the woman has consented.

If I am correctly informed, it's not supposed to make it impossible to have penetrative sex. It's supposed to make it painful and unpleasant to have penetrative sex so that the woman doesn't run off and do it voluntarily with just anyone.

From what I have read (from an article about the african fashion model who campaigns about this) it is so that they can't have sex until they are married, when they have to be 'reopened' (I can't even imagine how they do this but razor blades were mentioned).

Quite horrific to think that it is the women who do this to each subsequent generation of girls. I wonder how many die as a result?

Well my friend really is unable to have penetrative sex at all, this is what i don't understand. Could it have gone badly wrong? (not that there is a right to it!). She also said many girls die...

In a previous life I funded this brilliant project

Lots of excellent links and information about FGM.

Your poor friend. I'm sure it can go wrong, and yes, lots of girls die.

It may be that she has been sewn up too high iyswim and as the wound healed the actual entrance to her vagina has been sealed. If this has happened she would need to be cut.

If this happens women can also have real problems with urinary infections.

I guess there is a problem with infections causing lasting damage and the poor woman is probably so traumatised she is terrified to have sex. Who thought this was a good idea ?(= men I suppose)

Oh god yes I think that is what happened. I feel sick.

Thnak you for that mib i will read when I feel a bit better

So sorry for your friend

Maybe you could gently guide her towards a sympathetic surgeon who would correct the opening of her vagina.

It might even be possible to recreate her clitoris. I know they do this for sex change operations, so that men (now women) can orgasm.

The poor woman will never regain her clitoris, but I wonder whether there is counselling and some form of repair surgery that can make life easier for women who have been subject to this?

Cote may be right...

Just realised the link didn't have the project details on - but lots of good info nevertheless.

It is truely horrific and the UK is seeing a higher percentage of women present with FGM issues.

If your friend is in london there is a brilliant African Well Women's Clinic in Leytonstone (which was the project we funded with specialise FGM staff)

here is a link to how they work.