Surgical and nonsurgical interventions for vulvar and clitoral pain in girls and women living with female genital mutilation: A systematic review.
BACKGROUND
Vulvar and clitoral pain are known complications of female genital mutilation (FGM). Several interventions have been used to treat these conditions. This review focuses on surgical and nonsurgical interventions to improve vulvar and clitoral pain in women living with FGM.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the impact of nonsurgical and surgical interventions for alleviating vulvar and clitoral pain in women living with any type of FGM and to assess the associated adverse events.


METHODS
The search included the following major databases: Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov. These were searched from inception until August 10, 2015 without any language restrictions.


METHODS
Study designs included randomized controlled trials, cluster randomized trials, nonrandomized trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, controlled before-and-after studies, historical control studies, and interrupted time series with reported data comparing outcomes among women with FGM who were treated for clitoral or vulvar pain with either surgical or nonsurgical interventions.


METHODS
Two team members independently screened studies for eligibility.


RESULTS
No studies were included.


CONCLUSIONS
Limited information exists on management of vulvar and clitoral pain in women living with FGM. This constitutes an important area for further research.
CRD42015024521.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Anambra State University, Awka, Nigeria.
Ifeanyichukwu
I
Ezebialu
University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
Obiamaka
O
Okafo
Institute of Tropical Disease, Research and Prevention, Calabar, Nigeria.
Chukwudi
C
Oringanje
Department of Family Medicine, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.
Udoezuo
U
Ogbonna
Institute of Tropical Disease, Research and Prevention, Calabar, Nigeria.|Department of Pediatrics, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom, Nigeria.
Ekong
E
Udoh
Department of Pediatrics, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.
Friday
F
Odey
Institute of Tropical Disease, Research and Prevention, Calabar, Nigeria.|Department of Pediatrics, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.
Martin M
MM
Meremikwu
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D019093:Circumcision, Female / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology*; D002987:Clitoris / Q000601:surgery*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D056650:Vulvodynia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*
D000700:Analgesics
Clitoral pain; Female genital mutilation; Nonsurgical intervention; Surgical intervention; Vulvar pain