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Women affected by FGC reflect the possible connection between FGC and intimate relationships
Health experts point to risks and lack of medical results in clitoral reconstruction, while women who have undergone the surgery experience great psychological benefits. “In many cases, women have a better sex life after the operations, even if there is not always a physical effect,” says Malin Jordal, researcher and lecturer in health sciences. There are mainly two types of procedures for women who have experienced genital cutting: opening surgeries, if the women have had stitches, and clitoral reconstruction. Opening surgeries are recommended by the WHO and medical organizations in Sweden and abroad, and healthcare providers want them to happen as soon as...
Women affected by FGC reflect the possible connection between FGC and intimate relationships
Health experts point to risks and lack of medical results in clitoral reconstruction, while women who have undergone the surgery experience great psychological benefits.
“In many cases, women have a better sex life after the operations, even if there is not always a physical effect,” says Malin Jordal, researcher and lecturer in health sciences.
There are mainly two types of procedures for women who have experienced genital cutting: opening surgeries, if the women have had stitches, and clitoral reconstruction.
Opening surgeries are recommended by the WHO and medical organizations in Sweden and abroad, and healthcare providers want them to be carried out as quickly as possible. But women usually want to wait until childbirth.
“Symbolic correction”
For many, sewing has become part of their identity and they worry about the social impact the surgery will have on them and whether it will impact their marriages. They are also used to it looking a certain way and the surgery making it look bad aesthetically. Communication between patients and the healthcare system must be improved here.”
Malin Jordal, researcher and lecturer, Health Sciences, University of Gävle
Reconstruction of the clitoris is controversial. Many in the health care industry believe that the surgery does more harm than good because the surgeon can access nerves that negatively affect the woman's sensation due to the surgery. Many women who had the surgery felt it boosted their self-image and improved their sex lives.
"Many women who seek clitoral reconstruction are hoping for symbolic reparation. They consider genital mutilation to be a form of crime. The procedure has a great psychological impact as women's self-esteem improves, which in turn makes them feel more sexually comfortable," says Malin Jordal.
What the women also have in common is that they are very grateful when they get help, that someone actually recognizes their trauma and their needs. But also that health care resources can be used for the operation and that this type of operation is a priority in the health care system.
Healthcare workers are afraid of the risks of reconstruction, that it will get worse and have no good effects. They do not believe that surgery can increase women's chances of having a better sex life.
"The healthcare system focuses on medical risks and medical outcomes and not on the psychological. Of course they want to protect women, but they also risk depriving them of their own perspective," says Malin Jordal.
The dialogue needs to be improved
Malin Jordal has conducted several studies on women who have undergone genital cutting. The two most recent are a review of 38 scientific studies on women's and health professionals' perceptions of reconstruction and similar operations, and an interview study with 25 women who sought help from health services for genital cutting.
An important conclusion of the research is that dialogue between patients and doctors and other health professionals needs to be improved, both before and after operations. For example, if patients and doctors worked together to develop a clearer care plan, it would make things easier for women.
– Humans are complex and these are intimate interventions that are particularly sensitive. Patients must be clearly explained what will happen before surgery and more in-depth follow-up care must be provided after the procedure is completed. “Women need to be asked how the surgery helped them and whether care should change,” says Jordal, who also emphasizes the need for further studies on the topic, particularly the health system’s approach to reconstructive surgery.
Source:
Reference:
Jordal, M., et al. (2022) “Damaged Genitalia” – Cut women’s perceptions of the impact of female genital cutting on sexual function. A qualitative study from Sweden. Limits in Sociology. doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2022.943949.
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