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What are the consequences of FGM?
The immediate complications:
- intense pain accompanied by fear and anxiety that can lead to a state of shock.
- haemorrhage that can lead to death.
- infected wounds. Urine retention.
- injuries to neighbouring organs.
Long-term complications:
- urinary and genital infections, kidney stones, neurinomas.
- difficulty urinating, pain during menstruation, incontinence.
- pain around scars, cysts, abscesses.
- problems linked to pregnancy and delivery (obstructed labour, tearing, fistulas).
- sexual problems (for both partners).
- risk of HIV transmission.
- infected oviducts, sterility.
Psychological consequences:
FGM can scar a woman for life. Trauma caused by this experience may be repressed by the child at the time the mutilation takes place and can resurface years later to be expressed in different ways.
- a loss of confidence in loved ones (parental betrayal)
- behavioural problems
- anxiety (flash-backs, nightmares)
- depression - PTSD
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