Types of FGM

FGM describes any deliberate, non-medical removal or cutting of female genitalia. Different regions and communities practice various forms of mutilation. Some forms of cutting are quite common and they are classified as shown below.

It is not unusual to not know what type of FGM you may have. It can be difficult to understand what form your vagina takes after FGM, whether or not you still have labia or a clitoris, whether your vaginal opening is closed. We hope this information will help people to better understand their FGM and to be able to be able to describe their FGM to their partners or to healthcare workers.

 

Type 1 FGM 

Clitoridectomy: partial or total removal of the clitoris (a small, sensitive and erectile part of the female genitals) and, in very rare cases, only the prepuce (the fold of skin surrounding the clitoris).
 
This practice is extremely painful and distressing, damages sexually sensitive skin and is an infection risk. 


 

Type 2 FGM

Excision: partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora (the labia are the ‘lips’ that surround the vagina). 

This practice is extremely painful and distressing, damages sexually sensitive skin and is an infection risk. 

 

Type 3 FGM

Infibulation: narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of a covering seal. The seal is formed by cutting and sewing over the outer, labia, with or without removal of the clitoris or inner labia. 

This practice is extremely painful and distressing, damages sexually sensitive skin and is an on-going infection risk. The closing over of the vagina and the urethra leaves women with a very small opening in which to pass urine and menstrual fluid. The opening can be so small that it needs to be cut open to be able to have sexual intercourse. Cutting is also needed to give birth and can cause complications which harm both mother and baby.

Type 4 FGM

Other: all other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, e.g. pricking, piercing, incising, scraping, stretching and cauterising the genital area.
 
Daughters of Eve are interested in furthering understanding and recognition of the forms of mutilation which are currently categorised as "Type 4". By developing better descriptions and definitions we believe we can help women and healthcare workers to deal with rarer forms of FGM. If you have expertise or information which could help, please contact us.

 Images reused with the kind permission of Elsevier Inc.  

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