Female genital cutting in women living in Norway - consequences and treatment.

BACKGROUND

Seven Norwegian hospitals offer an outpatient service for women who have undergone female genital cutting (FGC). This study presents symptoms, findings and treatment in women who were examined at the outpatient clinics in the period 2004-2015.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Each hospital identified patients by searching for relevant diagnostic and procedure codes. All those who had been examined at the outpatient clinics were included. Data were retrieved from patient records.

RESULTS

A total of 913 women were included. The median age at the time of undergoing FGC was seven years, and at the time of consultation, 26 years. Almost half of the women were pregnant. The majority (81 %) had FGC type III (infibulation). Of these, 87 % had gynaecological problems. Of women with types I and II FGC, 55 % and 70 %, respectively, reported gynaecological problems. Altogether 64 % received surgical treatment, primarily deinfibulation (98 %). Few complications were recorded.

INTERPRETATION

In many young, non-pregnant infibulated women, FGC-related problems that can be treated with deinfibulation may have been present since childhood and adolescence. There is probably an unmet need for treatment, irrespective of the type of FGM.