title: Female genital cutting: confronting cultural challenges and health complications across the lifespan.
abstract: Female genital cutting affects over 140 million women worldwide. Prevalent in certain countries of Africa and the Middle East, the practice continues among immigrants to industrialized countries. Female genital cutting is a deeply rooted tradition that confers honor on a woman and her family, yet also a traumatic experience that creates significant dermatological, gynecological, obstetric and infectious disease complications. Little is known about postmenopausal health in cut women. The international community views this practice as a human rights violation. In addition to genital health complications, the medical community must confront an understudied concern of what happens as this population ages. These challenges must be addressed to provide optimal care to women affected by female genital cutting.
authors.affiliation: The Procter & Gamble Company, Winton Hill Business Center, 6110 Center Hill Road, Cincinnati, OH 45224, USA.
authors.forename: Miranda A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Farage
authors.forename: Kenneth W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Ghebre E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Tzeghai
authors.forename: Charles E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Azuka
authors.forename: Jack D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Sobel
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Ledger
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D019093:Circumcision, Female / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D017698:Postmenopause; D011247:Pregnancy; D060728:Reproductive Health
keywords: clitoridectomy; clitoris; excision; female genital cutting; female genital mutilation; infibulation; labia majora; labia minora; vagina; vulva