Female genital mutilation (FGM) - National FGM Support Clinics

National FGM Support Clinics-Female genital mutilation (FGM)

Contents

1. Overview
2. National FGM Support Clinics

National FGM Support Clinics (NFGMSC) are community-based clinics that offer a range of support services for women with female genital mutilation (FGM).

This service is available to women aged 18 or older who are not pregnant when they seek support.

If you're pregnant

If you're under 18

How the clinics can help

National FGM Support Clinics are a place for women with FGM to discuss their health needs in a sensitive and non-judgmental environment.

The services are provided by an all-female team and include:

• physical assessments and treatment (including deinfibulation if required)
• emotional support and counselling
• general information
• access to FGM Health Advocates
• referral to a specialist consultant, if needed

Female genital mutilation (FGM) - Overview

Overview-Female genital mutilation (FGM)

Contents

1. Overview
2. National FGM Support Clinics

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a procedure where the female genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed, but there's no medical reason for this to be done.

It's also known as female circumcision or cutting, and by other terms, such as sunna, gudniin, halalays, tahur, megrez and khitan, among others.

FGM is usually carried out on young girls between infancy and the age of 15, most commonly before puberty starts.

It's illegal in the UK and is child abuse.

It's very painful and can seriously harm the health of women and girls.

It can also cause long-term problems with sex, childbirth and mental health.