Medicines for Female genital mutilation (FGM)

What it is

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is the term for procedures that deliberately alter or cause injury to a girl’s or woman’s genital organs for non-medical reasons. It has no health benefits, and it causes harm. FGM is a form of abuse and a violation of human rights, and it is illegal in the UK — it is against the law to perform FGM, to arrange for it to be carried out, or to take a girl abroad for FGM. It is usually carried out on girls, often in childhood, and is practised in certain communities in some parts of the world, often linked to cultural, social, or traditional beliefs, though it is not required by any religion. FGM can cause serious short-term and long-term physical and emotional harm. Short-term effects can include severe pain, bleeding, infection, and other immediate complications. Long-term effects can include ongoing pain, recurrent infections, urinary problems, difficulties with periods, sexual difficulties and pain, complily in pregnancy and childbirth, and significant psychological and emotional effects. It is important to understand that FGM is harmful and unacceptable, that it is illegal in the UK, and — importantly — that women and girls who have experienced FGM, or who are at risk, can access support, care, and protection, and should not feel blame or shame. Specialist health services are available to support women affected by FGM, including care for the physical and emotional effects, and, in some cases, a procedure (deinfibulation) to help with certain problems caused by FGM. Safeguarding measures are in place to protect girls at risk. Health professionals are there to help, not to judge, and can provide sensitive, confidential support and refer to specialist services. The key messages are that FGM is a harmful, illegal practice with no health benefits, that it can cause significant physical and emotional harm, and that support, specialist care, and protection are available for those affected or at risk.

How it is treated

The approach to FGM involves protecting girls at risk, providing sensitive and non-judgemental support and specialist care for women and girls affected, and treating the physical and emotional effects — with clear awareness that FGM is harmful and illegal, and that those affected deserve support, not blame. For women and girls who have experienced FGM, sensitive, confidential, and non-judgemental care is available, and health professionals can provide support and refer to specialist services. Specialist FGM services (available in many areas) provide care for the range of effects FGM can cause, including: assessment and treatment of physical problems (such as pain, recurrent infections, urinary or menstrual difficulties, and other effects); a procedure called deinfibulation, where relevant, which can open up the area to help with problems such as passing urine, periods, sexual difficulties, or childbirth, and which is offered and explained sensitively; care and support around pregnancy and childbirth, as FGM can affect these and specialist support helps; and support for the significant emotional and psychological effects, which is an important part of care. The aim is to support the woman’s physical and emotional health, with respect, confidentiality, and without judgement. Protecting girls at risk of FGM is a key safeguarding priority: there are legal protections (FGM is illegal in the UK, including taking a girl abroad for it), and safeguarding measures and support to protect girls who may be at risk — professionals in health, education, and other services have a role in identifying and protecting girls at risk, and support and advice are available for families and communities. Anyone worried that a girl is at risk of FGM, or that it may have been or may be carried out, can seek help and advice, including from health professionals and dedicated helplines and services, and, if a child is at immediate risk, from the police or child protection services. Education and community engagement are important in ending the practice. For women affected, the message is one of support: FGM was something done to them, they deserve care and support, not blame or shame, and confidential, specialist help is available for the physical and emotional effects. The reassuring and important messages are that FGM is harmful and illegal, that support, specialist care, and protection are available for those affected or at risk, that health professionals provide sensitive, non-judgemental help and can refer to specialist services, and that women affected deserve support and should not feel blame — so seeking help is encouraged.