Female circumcision is a form of body modification. It is a term which loosely refers to several procedures performed on the genitalia of a female and that are mostly of cultural rather than a medical nature. Female circumcision is mostly practiced in most parts of Africa and is also frequently performed in Asia and Arabian Peninsula. In United States, it was done to prevent masturbation until in the 12th century. Nowadays, this practice is rejected in western civilization like the United States and Western Europe in particular. In these places it is referred to as the female genital mutilation (FGM).
Forms of female circumcision
There are several distinct practices that generally refer to this form of body modification thus bringing about some confusion. In some of the cases there is no actual genital surgery that occurs, although the process is simulated with a knife as part of a ceremony. The forms that involve surgery in actual terms are mainly divided into three major types.
Type I - also known as the clitoridotomy. This is the most limited type of female circumcision. It involves the clitoral hood removal.
Type II- also known as the clitoridectomy and sometimes also called labia minora. It is more extensive and implies partial or total removal of clitoris.
Type III – this is the most complete form of body modification of female circumcision that is also known as infibulation orpharaonic circumcision. It involve the clitoridectory, removal of labia minora, cutting of labia minora and sewing together the cut labia minora to form a cover on the vagina leaving an opening for passing urine and menstrual blood. The labia minora sewn together is opened by the husband of the woman before intercourse. Other forms of this body modification is the type IV that includes diverse range of practices such as prinking of clitoris using needles as well as tearing the vagina or ripping.
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