Does Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) Affect Women’s Sexual Functioning? A Systematic Review of the Sexual Consequences of FGM/C

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) refers to a cultural practice which involves partial removal of or injury to the
female external genitalia for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons. Estimates suggest that there are 100–130 million
girls and women currently living with various health consequences from FGM/C. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and
meta-analysis of the sexual consequences of FGM/C. A total of 15 studies, of variable methodological quality, with 12,671
participants from seven different countries were included. The majority of the 65 outcomes were statistically associated with
FGM/C status at study level. Meta-analysis results showed that compared to women without FGM/C, women who had been subjected
to FGM/C were more likely to report dyspareunia (relative risk (RR) = 1.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.15, 2.0), no
sexual desire (RR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.37, 3.36) and less sexual satisfaction (standardized mean difference = −0.34, 95% CI = −0.56,
−0.13). Heterogeneity precluded additional consideration of other outcomes. The systematic review substantiates the proposition
that a woman whose genital tissues have been partly removed is more likely to experience increased pain and reduction in sexual
satisfaction and desire. Increased research efforts to investigate the sexual harms from FGM/C are indicated. Sexual education
and therapy could be offered to women with FGM/C who want that.