Peer-reviewed article
Association of female genital mutilation and female sexual dysfunction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Pérez-López FR, Ornat L, López-Baena MT, Pérez-Roncero GR, Tajada-Duaso MC et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the relationship between female genital mutilation (FGM) and sexual dysfunction in girls and women. Researchers analyzed 15 studies involving 6,672 participants and found that women with FGM had significantly lower sexual function scores across all measured domains compared to women without FGM. The study confirms that FGM is associated with serious negative effects on sexual function, including reduced desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and increased pain.
Key points
- Meta-analysis of 15 studies with 6,672 participants showed women with FGM had a standardized mean difference of -1.43 in total Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scores, indicating sexual dysfunction
- All six FSFI domains were significantly lower in women with FGM: desire (SMD -0.62), arousal (SMD -0.88), lubrication (SMD -0.95), orgasm (SMD -1.07), satisfaction (SMD -0.96), and pain (SMD -0.48)
- The review searched multiple databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, African Index Medicus and Cochrane Library
- Different studies used different cut-off values for FSFI, preventing calculation of overall prevalence estimates for female sexual dysfunction
- No other measurement tools for sexual dysfunction outcomes were reported in the included studies
Limitations
The review could not estimate overall prevalence of female sexual dysfunction because studies used different FSFI cut-off values. The analysis is limited to studies using the FSFI tool, and no data were available from studies using other validated assessment tools for sexual function.
Abstract
Objective To meta-analyze possible associations between female genital mutilation (FGM) and female sexual dysfunction, dyspareunia and pelvic pain. Method A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, African Index Medicus and Cochrane Library. The PICO protocol included Population: Studies evaluating girls or women; Intervention/Exposure: participants with FGM; Comparison: participants without FGM; Outcomes: female sexual function, dyspareunia or pelvic pain using validated tests. Random effect models were used for meta-analyses, and standardized mean differences (SMDs) and their 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for any of the measured continuous outcomes were calculated when possible. Risk of bias was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results Fifteen studies (n = 6672 participants) reported on the outcomes of the 19-item Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The meta-analysis of the total FSFI score showed a SMD of -1.43 (95 % CI -2.17, -0.69) suggestive of female sexual dysfunction. In addition, scores for the six FSFI domains were significantly lower in women with FGM: SMDs for desire -0.62 (95 % CI -1.01, -0.22), arousal -0.88 (95 % CI -1.41, -0.35), lubrication -0.95 (95 % CI -1.45, -0.46), orgasm -1.07 (95 % CI -1.63, -0.50), satisfaction -0.96 (95 % CI -1.52, -0.41) and pain -0.48 (95 % CI -0.91, -0.05). Estimation of the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction with the FSFI was not possible since different cut-offs values were used in those studies that reported for this outcome. No other searched outcomes using other tools were reported. Conclusion FGM seriously alters female sexual function as assessed with the FSFI, globally and per domain.