Genital cutting does not eliminate women's sexual sensation

Lagos, Nigeria, June 18 2003 -- Nigerian women who have undergone female genital cutting are as likely as those who have not to achieve orgasm during sexual intercourse, conclude a study conducted in Edo State, Southwestern Nigeria, between 1998 ? 1999.

According to the investigators led by Dr. Okonofua, Gynaecologist and Obstetrician, this important finding "negates the argument of female genital cutting proponents that cut women experience reduced sexual sensation (which is expected to make them less likely than uncut women to become sexually promiscuous)."

The study sample comprised 1,836 women most of who were married. The women were recruited at rural and urban antenatal and family planning clinics in a community where approximately 45% of the female population has undergone female genital cutting, usually in infancy. A structured questionnaire, administered by a trained nurse or midwife, was used to obtain data on socio-demographic characteristics, sexual activity and clinical history. A physician examined the women to determine the type of circumcision if any that the women had undergone.

Some 55% of participants had not undergone female genital cutting. 32% had undergone type I genital cutting (at least partial removal of the clitoris). 11% type II (at least partial removal of the clitoris and labia minora) and fewer than 2% type III (at least partial removal of the external genitalia and stitching or narrowing of the vaginal opening) or type IV (any other genital cutting).

In response to questions about sexual behaviour, the study found that women who had undergone genital cutting were just as likely as those who had not to report having had recent sexual intercourse and were more likely to report at least sometimes initiating sexual intercourse with their partners.

In addition, women who had been cut were at least as likely as uncut women to report regularly having an orgasm during sexual intercourse. Cut women were however less likely than uncut women, to cite the clitoris and more likely to identify the breast as their most sensitive body part. This finding, according to the authors, "suggests that genital cutting does not eliminate a woman's sexual sensation, but instead shift(s) the point of maximal sexual stimulation from the clitoris or labia to the breast."

Other significant observations emanating from the study were that cut women were significantly more likely than uncut women to report yellowish and bad smelling vaginal discharge (odds ratio, 2.8), white vaginal discharge (odds ratio 1.7) and lower abdominal pain (odds ratio 1.5). The reasons for this is not well understood.

Female genital cutting is practiced all over the world but commonly in developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa. It is estimated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that about two million women undergo some form of genital cutting annually. Female genital cutting is a cultural practice with psycho-social, legal, human rights and medical implications. It is associated with HIV/AIDS transmission

Reference: Okonofua, F.E., et al. 2002: The association between female genital cutting and correlates of sexual and gynaecological morbidity in Edo State, Nigeria. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 109(10): 1089-1096

For more comprehensive resources on Female Genital Cutting, visit:

* WHO Factsheet on female genital mutilation

http://www.who.int/inf-fs/en/fact241.html

* IPPF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION

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