Female Circumcision
Female Circumcision should not be confused with Female Genital Mutilation. Circumcision involves cutting only the prepuce, or outer skin, of the clitoris and not the removal of the external genitalia as is done in some Muslim countries which  is a horrible distortion of the  idea of circumcision  The value of this procedure in improving function has been accepted by various cultures for the past 3500 years. Although this subject is not new, there are indications for its use that are being overlooked by some modern physicians.

In general terms, the main indications for circumcision are: (1) functional need - lack of ability to have a climax or ability to have one only with considerable difficulty, (2) an anatomic or mechanical factor that needs correction.

The two common problems that make the highly sensitive area of the clitoris unable to be stimulated are phimosis and redundancy. Sebaceous glands about the clitoris attempt to prevent adhesions of the prepuce to it. This sometimes fails and the clitoris is tightly adherent to the prepuce. This defect is recorded as 1 plus or 25% of the normal surface adherent, to 4 plus or complete coverage. A prepuce for the protection of the clitoris is normal and useful, but if it is excessive and extends past the eminence of clitoris it can prevent contact and is harmful. 

This excess is also classified from 1 to 4 plus. The greatest amount of redundant prepuce observed extended approximately one inch past the clitoris so that it was classified 4 plus. Thus, a 1 plus would represent approximately one-fourth inch of redundant tissue.   When does this problem present itself and become one of concern and the responsibility as physicians? It is advisable to investigate sexual compatibility if unexplained symptoms of a psychosomatic type are elicited or if the problem of divorce is present. If there is no shyness or embarrassment on the doctor's part and his attitude is correct, a woman is seldom embarrassed.

Often a woman appreciates sharing her experiences with the subject because she had thought this might be her problem. If a woman is not sure that she has ever experienced a climax, it is probable that she has not.  Women with psychosomatic illness and marital problems make up a good portion of all types of medical practice. If these problems are based on abnormal anatomy, and it is corrected, these patients are often permanently cured. This cure is explained by the common origin of the primitive urges and of the subconscious, from which psychosomatic illnesses develop.  To the right is the same clitoris, now fully circumcised.

She the neglected clitoris finally peeking out and seeking stimulation.
Genital Piercing           Female Genital Mutilation