N Nikki Cotterill Nikki.Cotterill@uwe.ac.uk
Professor in Long Term Conditions (Continence Care)
Abstract
An estimated 230 million girls and women are living with female genital mutilation (FGM) which causes ongoing physical and psychological harm. This review aims to explore what is known about FGM and incontinence, including the underexamined implications for women's health, and identify gaps in the literature. A comprehensive database search was conducted using MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus, APA Psych Info, AMED, Child Development and Adolescent Studies, and PubMed. To gather all relevant complications of FGM, no restrictions were imposed on date or study type. Themes were identified by organising the 20 eligible articles by symptom type. The findings indicate that urological symptoms such as dribbling incontinence, slow micturition, urgency, stress incontinence and overactive bladder are prevalent among women who have undergone FGM. Additional complications include fistulas, pelvic organ prolapse, somatic symptoms, and urinary tract infections. The impact of FGM and incontinence on quality of life and daily activities remains under-explored, with the lived experiences of affected women largely unreported. FGM has multiple urogynaecological consequences, with more severe forms causing increased symptoms and associated complications. This review highlights the need for further research into the biopsychosocial impacts of FGM and incontinence to provide evidence-based support for affected women.
Journal Article Type
Article
Acceptance Date
May 14, 2025
Online Publication Date
May 31, 2025
Publication Date
Dec 31, 2025
Deposit Date
May 16, 2025
Publicly Available Date
Jun 6, 2025
Journal
Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology : the journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
