FGM: Consequences

Health and Psychological Consequences of FGM

FGM has no health benefits for the women and girls who undergo this procedure. Instead, FGM can cause severe short-term and long-term physical health and psychological consequences. An estimated 10% of women and girls who have experienced FGM die from short-term effects of FGM, and 25% die from long-term effects of FGM (CEDCOW).

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Short-term

>Severe pain and shock

>Infection

>Increased risk of HIV/AIDs

>Urine retention

>Hemorrhaging (bleeding)

>Open sores

>Injury to nearby genital tissue

Long-term

>Recurrent bladder and urinary tract infections

>Cysts

>Infertility

>Increased risk of pregnancy and childbirth complications and newborn deaths

>Menstrual and urinary difficulties

>Psycho-sexual psychological consequences

>Trauma, flashbacks, and depression

Legal Matters

FGM Worldwide

Getting Help

Human Rights

Key Facts

Consequences

It is a criminal offence to perform FGM here in the UK, or to take UK nationals and UK permanent residents to a different country to have FGM performed. Any person who is convicted of this offence is liable to serve up to 14 years in prison.