Consequences of Female Genital Mutilation on Women's Sexual Health - Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Female genital mutilation (FGM) can leave a lasting mark on the lives and minds of those affected.

Aim: To assess the consequences of FGM on women's sexual function in women who have undergone FGM compared to women who have not undergone FGM.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted from 3 databases; inclusion and exclusion criterions were determined. Studies included adult women having undergone FGM and presenting sexual disorders assessed by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

Results: Of 129 studies, 5 that met the criteria were selected. The sexual function of mutilated women, based on the FSFI total score and its different domains, was compared to the sexual function of non-mutilated women. There was a significant decrease in the total FSFI scores of mutilated women compared to non-mutilated women. However, the results obtained for the different domains were not the same for all authors. The meta-analysis highlighted a high heterogeneity with inconsistency and true variance in effect size between-studies.

Conclusion: Analysis of studies showed that there is a significant decrease in the total FSFI score, indicating that FGM of any type may cause impaired sexual functioning. But a firm conclusion on this topic is not yet achievable because the results of this analysis do not allow to conclude a cause and effect relationship of FGM on sexual function. Nzinga A-M, De Andrade Castanheira S, Herklmann J, et al. Consequences of Female Genital Mutilation on Women's Sexual Health - Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Sex Med 2021;18:750-760.

Keywords: Female Genital mutilation; Sexual Dysfunction; Sexual health; Women.