Female genital mutilation

What is FGM?

FGM (female genital mutilation) refers to procedures that involve partial or complete removal of a girl or woman’s external genitals or other kinds of injury to the female genitals for non-medical reasons. It is also referred to as circumcision or cutting.

FGM is carried out for various cultural, religious and social reasons within families and communities but:

is illegal in the UK
is a form of child abuse
has no health benefits.

In fact, it is very painful and causes serious short- and long-term problems around sex, periods, urinating and childbirth.

Who is affected by FGM?

It is carried out on young girls, up to the age of 15 (often before puberty has started).

It is especially common in parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia, with high rates in countries such as Somalia, Guinea, Djibouti, Egypt, Sudan, Mali, Sierra Leone, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria. It also affects communities worldwide through migration.

Everyone has the right to control what happens to their bodies and the right to say no to FGM.

If you have had FGM or you're worried that you or someone you know is at risk of having it done please contact a support organisations (see below). Alternatively please contact the SHL team on 020 3315 4515.

What FGM appears like

Type 1 – Clitoridectomy

Image of vagina highlighting partial or complete removal of the clitoris and/or clitoral hood — Partial or complete removal of the clitoris and/or clitoral hood.

Type 2 – Excision

Image of vagina highlighting partial or complete removal of the clitoris and the labia minora (inner lips), with or without the labia majora (thicker skin covered outer lips). — Partial or complete removal of the clitoris and the labia minora (inner lips), with or without the labia majora (thicker skin covered outer lips).

Type 3 – Infibulation

Image of vagina highlighting narrowing of the vaginal opening by creating a seal through stitching, formed by cutting and repositioning and the labia — Narrowing the vaginal opening by creating a seal, formed by cutting and repositioning the labia

Type 4 – Other

Image of vagina highlighting non-medical procedures to the genitals, such as piercing and burning. — All other harmful, non-medical procedures to the genitals, such as pricking, burning, incising (cutting) or scraping.

Health problems caused by FGM

FGM can lead to physical and emotional harm, including:

Severe pain and excessive bleeding at the time of the procedure
Infections
Difficulties / problems with urination
Difficulties / problems with periods
Scar tissue and cysts
Painful sex / sexual health difficulties
Problems during childbirth and increased maternal or newborn risk
Psychological effects such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress.

Support around FGM

Support and treatment is available following FGM.

The NHS runs National FGM Support Clinics across London. They offer a range of services including:

sensitive physical assessment
emotional support
counselling
information
referral to specialist treatment if needed.

Find an FGM support clinic

These clinics are free for people eligible for NHS care and are designed to be safe, confidential spaces.

You can self-refer or ask your GP, midwife, or healthcare provider to help you access them.