Sexual pleasure after Female genital mutilation

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as "all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons."
Women on Waves condemns all forms of FGM but we believe it is important not to stimatize women who had FGM and to address some of the myths. Some women with FGM believe they cannot have any sexual pleasure anymore. However In infibulated women, some erectile structures fundamental for orgasm have not been excised. Cultural influence can change the perception of pleasure, as well as social acceptance.

Sexual pleasure after FGM

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as "all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons."[1] 

 The WHO offers four classifications of FGM.[7] Type I usually refers to removal of the clitoris (clitoridectomy) and clitoral hood.[8] Type II (excision) is removal of the clitoris and inner labia.[9] Type III (infibulation) involves the removal of all or part of the inner and outer labia, and usually the clitoris, and the fusion of the wound; a small hole is left for the passage of urine and menstrual blood, and the wound is opened for intercourse and childbirth.[

Around 85 percent of women who undergo FGM experience Types I and II.

Type III is the most common procedure in Djibouti, Somalia and Sudan, and in parts of Eritrea, Ethiopia and Mali. 

in 2012 the United Nations General Assembly unanimously passed a resolution banning FGM

The health consequences of FGM can include recurrent urinary and vaginal infections, chronic pain, infertility, fatal hemorrhaging, epidermoid cysts, and complications during childbirth. 

Most women with FGM believe they cannot have any sexual pleasure anymore. However In infibulated women, some erectile structures fundamental for orgasm have not been excised. Cultural influence can change the perception of pleasure, as well as social acceptance. 

Research shows that almost 86%, of women affected by different types of FGM, reported an orgasm, always 69.23%; 58 mutilated young women reported orgasm in 91.43%.

After defibulation 14 out of 15 infibulated women reported orgasm.

Every woman has the right to have sexual health and to feel sexual pleasure for full psychophysical well-being of the person. FGM/C women with sexual dysfunctions can and must be cured; they have the right to have an appropriate sexual therapy

 

The Male factor:

Research done under women from the MENA region found that Female sexual function (FSD) in the reproductive age appears to be adversely affected by psychological factors and shortcomings in male sexual function more than anything. These findings point to the possibility that many cases of FSD can be managed with the focus on male partner's ailments and attitudes that are relatively easier to manage.

So it is very important to educate men about female anatomy and sexual pleasure.

 

Methods that can be practiced by women to increase sexual pleasure:

If a woman does not enjoy sex this can be because:

1- Mostly because women are not excited enough, (exercise masturbation before)

2- Women are tense and contract the muscles around the vagina. (relaxation exercise: put pressure, pretending to pee, feel how the vagina opens)

3- Sometimes very tough hymen remain that can cause pain

So it is important to always look (with a mirror) if you can see where there is pain

 

Masturbation is liberation

The best way to increase sexual pleasure is to  masturbate as it teaches women what they like and they can in turn teach their sexual partners. Maturbation can be done for example with ones fingers, soft or hard objects or in the shower with the shower head.

Masturbation behavior appears to be related to a greater sexual repertoire, more sexual fantasies, and greater reported ease in reaching sexual arousal and orgasm. Women reported many reasons for masturbation and a variety of direct and indirect techniques. Early masturbation experience might be beneficial to sexual arousal and orgasm in adulthood. Further, studies show that masturbation is a positive component in the structuring of female sexuality.