Safe Female circumcision

Dr. Sit Elbanat Khalid Mohamed Ali

Obstetrician Gynecologist

Khartoum University – Sudan

2- 2 -2009

Contents

1 – The Female Prepuce ((Clitorial Hood )) .

2 – Female Genital Anatomy and Sexual Dysfunction.

3 – Clitorial Un hooding.

4 – Medical Studies .

5 – Personal reports.

6 – Female Circumcision: “Prohibition or Allowance?”
      Islamic & Medical Perspective.

7– Female Circumcision Negligence and Abuse.

 8– Stabilizing female Circumcision .                      

9 – A Candid Interview With Dr. Royal Benson, III

      A Surgeon Who Has Performed Hundreds Of Clitoral    Unhoodings—On His Surgical Method And Related Issues.

10 –The Proper Way Of Safe Female Circumcision.

The Female Prepuce

((Clitorial Hood ))

Dr. Sit Elbanat Khalid Mohamed Ali

Obstetrician Gynecologist

Khartoum University – Sudan

2- 2 -2009

Introduction :

      The prepuce is a common anatomical structure of the male and female external genitalia of all human and non-human primates; it has been present in primates for at least 65 million years, and is likely to be over 100 million years old, based on its commonality as an anatomical feature in mammals Certain cultures have excised the prepuce from children to conform to societal standards, while other cultures accept the complete external genitalia as normal. The motives for circumcision in preliterate cultures are difficult to define, but include rites of passage, blood sacrifices and cultural markings.          Ritualistic, childhood genital surgery has become popular in the last several thousand years, making the prepuce the most vilified normal anatomical structure of the human body. Rather than acknowledging the prepuce as normal anatomy, some contemporary physicians consider the penile and clitoral prepuce (or clitoral hood) to be dangerous and unhealthy. However, before theoretical justifications for circumcision can be considered, a complete understanding of the normal anatomy and function of the prepuce is required. This paper reviews the embryology, anatomy and function of the prepuce.

Overview      :

        The prepuce is an integral, normal part of the external genitalia that forms the anatomical covering of the glans penis and clitoris. The outer epithelium has the protective function of internalising the glans (clitoris and penis), urethral meatus (in the male) and the inner preputial epithelium, thus decreasing external irritation or contamination.The prepuce is a specialized, junctional mucocutaneous tissue which marks the boundary between mucosa and skin; it is similar to the eyelids, labia minora, anus and lips.

Ritualistic circumcision involves the involuntary removal of normal, healthy genital tissue from infants and children for religious, societal or theoretical medical benefits. Although the amount of genital tissue removed is variable, the penile prepuce is removed in nearly all male circumcisions, and the clitoral prepuce is removed in a grade 1 female circumcision.

Embryology:

The clitoral prepuce develops similarly to that in the male. The prepuce of the clitoris forms independently of the urogenital and labioscrotal folds, which form the labia minora and labia majora, respectively. The clitoral prepuce is formed by a cellular lamella which grows down on the dorsum of the clitoris and is fused to the clitoris in the fetus.

     Some authors state that the clitoral prepuce is formed by a splitting of the urogenital folds around the clitoris, with development of the prepuce superiorly and the clitoral frenulum inferiorly. However, this theory is discordant with earlier studies and has not been explicitly proved. The urogenital groove on the ventral surface of the clitoris prevents circumferential preputial development and results in the hoodlike appearance of the clitoral prepuce. The urogenital groove of the clitoris eventually regresses and develops into the labia minora. In the female, there is no mesenchymal proliferation in the prepuce to form a dartos muscle layer. Physicians can allay parental fear of normal, intact external genitalia by explaining normal development and maturation.

Innervation of the prepuce:

        The female prepuce has somato-sensory innervation by the dorsal nerve of the clitoris and branches of the perineal nerve (including the posterior labial nerves. Autonomic innervation of the prepuce arises from the pelvic plexus. The parasympathetic visceral efferent and afferent fibres arise from the sacral centre (S2-S4), and sympathetic preganglionic afferent and visceral afferent fibres from the thoracolumbar centre (T11-L2). The parasympathetic nerves run adjacent to and through the wall of the membranous urethra.

Although the sensory and autonomic innervation of the penis and clitoris are similar, there is a remarkable difference in their encapsulated somato-sensory receptors. Sensory receptors can be classified as mechano-receptors, e.g. Meissner’s corpuscles, Vater-Pacinian corpuscles and Merkel cells; and nocio-receptors (free nerve endings)]. A multitude of names have been used to describe these encapsulated receptors, e.g. Krause, Dogiel, genital corpuscles, Endkalpsen and mucocutaneous end-organs, but the term corpuscular (encapsulated) receptors will be used here to include all of these mechano-receptors. Most of the encapsulated receptors of the prepuce are Meissner corpuscles, as they contact the epithelial basement membrane.

In females, the glans clitoris and the inner plate of the prepuce have corpuscular receptors on their oppositional surfaces. The glans clitoris also has a much denser concentration of Vater-Pacinian corpuscles than either the glans penis or the male prepuce. The fused common epithelium of the clitoris and the inner plate of the prepuce are reported to have intraepithelial nerves. Merkel cells mediate tactile sensations, and are found in glabrous skin ; they have been reported in the clitoris and can be identified in the male prepuce.

Mucosal epithelium (inner plate of the prepuce):

           The epithelium of the clitoral prepuce is fused in the fetus and has intraepithelial nerves. The fused inner plate of the male prepuce/glans has also been reported to have intraepithelial nerves.The clitoral prepuce has only a dermal component with fewer elastic fibres than the male prepuce. The inner layer of the male and female prepuce has occasional sebaceous glands and sweat glands.

The preputial sac:

The preputial sac contains desquamated squamous epithelial cells similar to other mucosal cavities such as the oral cavity or vagina. This white, creamy material may collect under the prepuce of the clitoris and is called (smegma clitoridis) .

Preputial coverage of the glans:

There is variability in the preputial coverage of the intact glans penis and clitoris. Some adult men have the glans penis completely covered by the prepuce while others have only partial coverage of the glans. In a similar manner, the glans clitoris can be partially or completely covered by the prepuce; this merely represents anatomical variation.

References:

1 – C.J. COLD and J.R. TAYLOR* The prepuce
Departments of Pathology, Marshfield Clinic, Wisconsin, USA, and Health Sciences Centre, University of Manitoba, Canada

Female Genital Anatomy

 and Sexual Dysfunction
 By Carol Ezzell
October 31, 2000

 Why do so many women have difficulty reaching orgasm? A new study suggests that, for some, an anatomical disorder may be to blame. Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine report that roughly one quarter of the women they have treated for sexual dysfunction have clitoral phimosis, which means the hood of skin surrounding their clitoris is too tight or there is no opening in the skin for the glans of the clitoris to protrude for stimulation. The scientists, who were led by Irwin Goldstein, presented their findings at the Female Sexual Function Forum, a four-day meeting in Boston of physicians and therapists that ended Sunday.
 The analysis was based on photographs taken of the vulvas of roughly 200 women who have been evaluated at Boston University’s Woman’s Sexual Health Clinic since its opening in 1998. The photos were made during examinations in which a physician placed a finger on either side of each woman’s clitoris to retract the clitoral hood. Goldstein and his co-workers found that women with the highest degrees of phimosis were the most likely to report problems experiencing orgasm. Clitoral phimosis is roughly equivalent to an uncircumcised man with an extremely tight foreskin. Such men often cannot achieve an erection because it is painful; the condition is easily remedied by circumcision or surgical loosening of the foreskin. There is no standard treatment for clitoral phimosis, although some women have undergone surgery to increase the exposure of the clitoral glans.
Goldstein speculates that many women with clitoral phimosis are never diagnosed because gynecologists generally avoid the clitoris during routine pelvic examinations. He says more research will be needed to determine the overall incidence of clitoral phimosis and the degree to which it underlies female sexual dysfunction. More than 40 percent of women (and 30 percent of men) in the U.S. experience some form of sexual problem, according to a study published last year in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
 

Clitoral UN –Hooding

          Also referred to as Hoodectomy, is a minor feminine genital surgical procedure to remove excess Prepuce tissue—the surrounding “hood” that sheaths the clitoral node on three sides. Normally, the Prepuce is anatomically designed to offer the clitoris a degree of protection against undue abrasion—or over stimulation—and naturally retracts during sexual intercourse, thereby leaving the highly innervated surface of the clitoral node—what is commonly referred to as the exterior G-spot—or Glans, to be more exposed . . . resulting in female sexual orgasms. Sometimes however, women with small clitoral nodes or those that have excess Prepuce tissue—both common conditions—find that they can’t achieve orgasm, or have a harder time reaching climax, because the clitoris is literally covered, or restricted by too much skin tissue, thus greatly lessening tactile sensation, and/or even eliminating it entirely.

In another closely related condition—and as was reported by researchers at the Boston University School of Medicine—roughly 25% of all women treated for sexual dysfunction suffered from what was medically termed clitoral Phimosis, a condition whereby the Prepuce tissue is so closely aligned with the clitoral node, there is not enough tissue flexibility to allow the clitoris to naturally move beyond the surrounding skin and protrude, permitting needed stimulation to achieve climax. This condition, also addressed through Hoodectomy, involves the surgical retraction and/or excising of tissue surrounding the Clitoris.

Sometimes referred to as female clitoral circumsision, the clitoral Unhooding procedure is somewhat analogous to penile circumcision in men, although male penile circumcision is still primarily performed from a perspective of genital hygiene. In women, however, Hoodectomy is done more commonly to allow women to experience heightened arousal, by reducing the tissue that forms the hood (Prepuce) covering the clitoris . . . almost always resulting in greater, faster orgasms. To some extent it has been suspected that excessive Prepuce tissue can also result in some hygiene-related issues as well for women, giving sanctuary to increased bacterial counts, and sometimes resulting in what are commonly termed “yeast” or vaginal infections from the close proximity to the vaginal canal.

Also, it is important to note that clitoralUnhooding (Hoodectomy) is sometimes mistakenly referred to as Clitoridectomy—another surgical procedure to completely remove the clitoral node—a repulsive societal/cultural procedure and insalubrious form of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

 CLITORAL UNHOODING IS NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THIS COMMONLY MISTAKEN PROCEDURE AND IS NOT A FORM OF Female Genital Mutilation ( FGM.)

Because of the innervations of the clitoris, (neuron cell density), there are gynecologists that aren’t comfortable performing the CLITORAL Unhooding procedure. Many times this is due to a lack of surgical experience. Some also object to it on social grounds—in a parallel implication that a woman’s sexual enjoyment, in or out of a relationship, is somehow considered taboo. But, there are a growing number of well-respected cosmetic gynecological surgeons and plastic surgeons with urology training that understand the need, and will perform this delicate operation with the proper training and experience needed to do an outstanding job. Many of these excellent surgeons are listed on this web site. Most important, when it comes to selecting a surgeon to do your Hoodectomy, experience is the key.

The reason?

The clitoral node has many more nerve endings than the surrounding tissue areas—thus if not done correctly, clitoral Unhooding can result in heightened sensation of the node by normal movements, in some cases creating considerable discomfort. However, for surgeons who perform the procedure regularly, clitoral Unhooding can result in an increased stimulus of the clitoral node and the majority of patients who have reported on their clitoral Unhooding procedure, most have commented favorably, saying they’ve had increased sexual climaxes (orgasms). Surgeons who do Hoodectomy usually have a method of determining the extent of sensitivity of the clitoris before proceeding by testing the area with cold and warm swabs. Patients SHOULD ONLY have this procedure performed by a surgeon who has extensive experience in this area and has performed many clitoral Unhoodings.

1––Dr. Royal Benson, III, located in Bryan/Houston, Texas (979-776-1660) has performed well over one hundred (100+ procedures) clitoral Unhooding procedures. Dr. Benson has a proven method for pre-operative testing, to determine the actual need, and has a unique surgical method that employs his aesthetic skills in assuring the best post-operative result. Dr.Benson founded the Southwest Genital Refinement Clinic, a State certified outpatient surgical facility that offers not only Hoodectomy, but Labiaplasty and Vaginoplasty as well.

2 – Dr. John Miklos, located in Alphretta/Atlanta, Georgia

(770-475-4499). Dr.Miklos is considered an international authority in minimally invasive reconstructive and rejuvenation. He has operated personally on patients from more than 46 states and 25 countries. He is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology, a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fellow of American College of Surgeons, Fellow of International College of Surgeons.

3 – Dr. Susan Kolb, located in Atlanta, Georgia

 (770-457-4677). Dr.Kolb is a “board certified” plastic and reconstructive surgeon and is a Founding Diplomate of the American Board of Holistic Medicine. Combining compassionate care and holistic healing modalities, she creates a truly unique surgical experience. Dr. Susan Kolb has a performed female aesthetic genital surgery for over 14 years.

4 – Dr. Oscar Aguirre, located in Englewood/Denver, Colorado

(303-322-0500). Dr. Aguirre is a preeminent pelvic surgeon, providing urogynecologic care for 10 years, he is ideally suited to address both women’s functional and aesthetic concerns. Dr.Aguirre is the Director of Pelvic Specialty Care, The Center for Female Pelvic Medicine.

This site will explain how female genital surgery and Hoodectomy can enhance a woman’s sexual gratification and boost their self-esteem. It will also examine the most common social implications of female genital surgery and review these issues in a contemporary, open environment.

References:

www.clitoralunhooding.com/

www.labiaplastysurgeon.com/sexual-enhancement.html

www.gynaecologists.co.uk/clitoral-hoodectomy.html

www.urogyn.org/avs_clitoral.html

Clitoris Unhooding

Medical Studies

         Although several reports by physicians prior to or shortly after the turn of the 20^th century are sometimes cited and discussed by critics of hood removal, to the best of my knowledge, there have been very few published modern medical studies or reports by doctors who perform this form of surgery. All of those that I have found, however, report a striking percentage of those who had the procedure done experience enhanced sexual enjoyment.

1. Dawson, Benjamin E., “Circumcision in the Female: Its Necessity and How to Perform It.” American Journal of Clinical Medicine 22.6 (June 1915), 520-523.
A very early medical report of hood removal, claiming all kinds of clinical (and psychological) benefits. This article can be found at an anti-circumcision website.

2. Morris, Dr. R. O. Fifty Years a Surgeon. (London?), 1935.
Surgically removed many clitoral hoods to treat “perpetual adhesions.”  Dr. Morris noted a “frequent finding” of the clitoral glans “undeveloped and buried beneath an adherent prepuce.  I investigated and found that because of the irritation caused by perpetual adhesions, both boys and girls require circumcision in equal numbers” .

3. McDonald, C. F. “Circumcision of the Female.” General Practitioner 18.3 (September, 1958). 98-99.
Claims to have performed “circumcision” on “perhaps 40 patients,” including some adult women. Among the adult women who underwent the procedure, “Very thankful patients were the reward. For the first time in their lives, sex ambition became normally satisfied”. However, McDonald’s procedure actually does not remove the hood, but instead stretches it to the point where “It is seldom that the prepuce will overgrow again once it has been opened”. In other words, the effect of McDonald’s stretching technique is essentially the same as removing the hood. This article may now be found online at an anti-circumcision website.
4. Rathmann, W. G. “Female Circumcision, Indications and a New Technique.” General Practitioner 20.3 (September, 1959). 115-120. This article is now available online at a pro-circumcision website, and also at an anti-circumcision website.
Sent out a questionnaire to women whose hoods he had removed, and received 112 replies. Of the 72 women who reported having never experienced an orgasm prior to the surgery, 9 [12.4%] reported continued failure to achieve orgasm; 64 [87.6%] reported successful achievement of orgasm after the surgery. Of the 39 who reported achieving orgasm only with difficulty prior to the surgery, 5 [12.5%] reported no improvement; 34 [87.5%] reported improvement after the surgery. Rathmann provides a number of indications and contraindications for the surgery, and invented a new clamp for the procedure.
 5 . Wollman , Leo. “Hooded Clitoris  : Preliminary Report.” The Journal of the American Society of Psychosomatic Dentistry and Medicine 20.1 (1973), 3-4.
Provides a “Statistical analysis of one hundred cases.” Not clear whether the statistics Wollman reports include all one hundred women (32 of whom did not receive the surgery—see below) or a statistical report of those who were clitoridotomised. In this study, he reports the frequency of sexual intercourse before treatment as 3 times per week on average; after treatment as 5 times per week on average. 49 women were able to attain orgasm prior to treatment; 92 after. 92 subjectively report improvement in intensity of sexual response, rapidity of sexual response, and/or greater number of orgasms; 7 subjectively report no change, and 1 subjectively reports being worse off. The longest time since treatment was 20 years; 64 patients were followed up after 5 years since treatment. The treatment occurred in Wollman’s office 98 times; in the hospital (at patient’s request) 2 times.
6. Wollman, Leo. “Female Circumcision.” The Journal of the American Society of Psychosomatic Dentistry and Medicine 20.4 (1973), 130-131.
Reports on one hundred consecutive patients referred to him by psychoanalysts and clinical psychologists. “Sixty eight benefited by surgical female circumcision: of the remaining thirty-two, twenty-eight showed no need for this procedure; four refused to be treated by this technique.”
7. Crist, Takey. “Female Circumcision.” Medical Aspects of Human Sexuality 11.8 (August, 1977), 77.
Reports on Crist’s hood removals on of fifteen women, and provides a list of four conditions for when the surgery would be indicated: “a) they could achieve orgasm only by masturbation and/or oral sex, b) they could have orgasm in the lateral or female-superior positions only, c) they stated, “it feels good, I get there, but suddenly it’s over.” d) they had a positive cotton-tip test, where patients felt a distinct difference when a cotton-tipped applicator was applied directly to the clitoris when the foreskin was retracted as opposed to application to the foreskin” . Crist’s study concludes, “Patients who have undergone this procedure have generally commented that they have enhanced sexual response.”
8. David Haldane, “Clitoral Circumcision.”  Forum (UK), 1990 (?), 41-43, 49.

Haldane interviews several women who had their hoods removed, and several doctors about the procedure.  Those who have actually undertaken studies (as opposed to simply expressing opinions) include the following:

Dr. Stanley Daniels, who had performed hundreds of these surgeries.  Daniels says that the surgery isn’t for everyone, and refuses to perform it on about half of those who request it.  In those he does agree to perform the surgery on, however, Daniels claims that “a large percentage report a ‘significant increase’ in the level of sensation and satisfaction in their sex lives after the operation” .
Dr. W. G. Rathmann (see [4], above), who repeats his results and recommendations from his published article.
Dr. Leo Wollman, whose articles are cited and whose results are reported.
Constance Knowles, a marriage and family counselor, whose interest in the procedure began with her own hood removal in 1972 (for which, see Personal Reports in Print).  Knowles was undertaking a long-term study of women who had the surgery and reported 75% as saying that the results were “significant and lasting improvement in their sex lives,” and “25% [who] reported no long term positive effects.”
It is interesting to note that Haldane quotes one critic of the surgery, Dr. Leon Zussman, who claims that removal of the clitoral hood is not necessary because women get all the sensation they need from “the motion […] transmitted through the labia to the hood and then from the hood to the clitoris”.  Zussman seems oblivious to the fact that many women find this form of indirect stimulation inadequate and unsatisfying.  Zussman goes on to warn that “Theoretically it [hood removal] could even be detrimental to sexual response,” but honesty requires him to add, “I am not willing to say that I’ve seen cases in which it [hood removal] has been [detrimental to sexual response]”.  He does claim, “we have seen many women who have undergone the procedure and most of them admitted that it just doesn’t do much”.  Given the abundance of personal and medical reports to the contrary (which this web site is dedicated to making more readily available), one wonders how accurate Zussman’s impressions of what “most” women who had their hoods removed have to say about the results they have achieved from the surgery.

9. Krista Foss, “New Hot Cosmetic Surgery for Women,” Toronto Globe and Mail, Tuesday, November 10, 1998.

        Foss reports on a Toronto surgeon named Dr. Robert H. Stubbs, who performs various kinds of sexual enhancement surgery. Most of the article is about labiaplasty, but it is clear that Dr. Stubbs also performs hood removals. Dr. Stubbs is reported as saying, “Some women report to me they have had an orgasm for the first time after I have unhooded the clitoris.” 

10. Dr. Irene Anderson contributed a report of her own hood removal to this website, and also reported the following results of nearly a hundred hood removals she performed in her surgical practice in Mexico:

I had it [her own hood removal] in November 1991. The reason was that I never had a vaginal orgasm, so I wanted to improve the sensitivity of my clitoris, releasing it from the hood. The result is great. Regarding my patients, the success rate was very high. I had nearly one hundred surgeries of that type, and only three patients were not satisfied by the result. I recommend the procedure to every woman, especially those who are not able to have vaginal orgasm.

Comparison of the Glans of the clitoris with the Glans of the Penis.

11. Scott, F. Brantley. “Nerve Endings in Glans clitoris vs. Glans Penis.” Medical Aspects of Human Sexuality. 15.7 (July, 1981), 88.

Several arguments—some by famous sexologists (see, e.g. W. H. Masters, V. E. Johnson, and R. C. Kolodny, Masters and Johnson on Sex and Human Loving, 1986, 32-3)—have been published over the years claiming that the removal of the clitoral hood should not be compared to the removal of the male foreskin, on the ground that the clitoral glans was much more sensitive to stimulation than the male glans. This claim is repeated as fact by several self-identified “experts.” Scott’s brief answer to a question sent to the journal would appear to count against any such claim: “Anatomic studies have shown that on a per centimeter surface area, the number of nerve endings in the glans  clitoris is equal to that in the same surface area of the glans penis” .The same evidence would seem to support the surgical removal of the clitoral hood, for women who find its presence has the effect of dampening stimulation, on the simple ground that the clitoral glans is so much smaller, and thus offers less opportunity for stimulation than does the male glans.

 Personal Reports

                 Personal reports on the Web inherently raise questions about reliability and accuracy. Indeed, see listings 11 and 41 in this section–postings in which the authenticity of other reports is challenged. Plainly, there is no way to ascertain with certainty if any or all of the following personal reports are genuine. I include and characterize each of them, not as an endorsement of their content or authenticity, but merely as a report that has been posted. I encourage those reading these summaries to judge the value of individual reports in the light of all of the other available information, and also to bear in mind those individual results and reactions to this surgery–as with male circumcision and for that matter other surgical procedures–may allow for considerable variation.
 
 “Spice of Life” (http://www.pleiades-net.com/voices/body/body.html) was a site dedicated to providing a forum for women to talk with one another about sex:
 
 “Here, in this forum, women can make a place for ourselves to share, teach, and talk with each other about sex—loving, the nuts and bolts of sexuality, our feelings (uneasy or wonderful), as well as the plain everyday acts that define us as women.”
 
 All of the following reports come from this site, which was shut down in December, 2000. I provide summaries of the postings that were available there prior to the site’s shutdown (with the now-defunct URLs), in chronological order. Prior to the shutdown of that site, I copied and have archived every one of the complete postings I summarize below. Those interested in the complete versions of any or all of the following listings may contact me at [email protected] for copies.

 1. “Clit Hood Removed”) was a posting by Sally dated October 3, 1997. Sally reports having had her clitoral hood removed in 1994 because her hood was too long. She reports the operation as “very minor.” “After a shot of Novocaine [sic], she [the doctor] removed a tiny piece of skin just over the clit.” Sally seems very happy with the results: “[M]y clit is now ‘exposed’ and I get stimulated more easily.”
 2. The next posting “Sally, Clit hood removed” was from a Phyl dated October 4, 1997, who says she knows a woman who had her hood removed, “and she thinks its wonderful. She says she’s much more sexually responsive now.” Phyl asks Sally if Sally is bothered by her clit rubbing against her clothing, and closes by speculating that she (Phyl) might like to have the surgery herself. Later postings show that Phyl actually does go and have the surgery herself.
 3. Sally responded to Phyl on October 6, 1997, “To Phyl” by saying that her exposed clitoris is still “protected to a large extent” by her outer labia. She says that “Tight clothing will exert some kind of pressure in any case, whether the clit is covered by the hood or not. In tight jeans, the sensation is quite nice (not at all irritating).”

 4. Also posted on October 6, 1997 was something from Tricia, “Hood Removed”. Tricia says that she had her hood removed “a few years ago,” on the advice of a doctor who told her she had a “hidden clit.” Tricia finally decided to have the operation “[a]fter quite a bit of hesitation.” The doctor “removed the skin that usually covers the clit, which is now more or less exposed.” Tricia says that “It’s not a big deal and does solve some problems: Now I have better contact and sex is more pleasurable.” Tricia does not recommend the surgery for everyone, but concludes by saying that for women with “hidden clits” like her, “it does enhance your sex life.”

 5. Also posted on October 6, 1997, Christy, who had not yet had the surgery (but who does later—see 22, below), posts a number of questions to those who have had it, “Lubricants & exposed clit”. Christy wants to know if it would help her to figure out how her husband felt after his circumcision. She asks those who have had it done: Was it painful? How much skin was removed? How long does it take to heal? Does it look better?

 6. Also on October 6, 1997, there was a posting by Tanya, “Clit hood”. Tanya “had this little operation in April 1994.” Tanya had suffered from a small infection under her hood, and used the infection as an excuse to ask her doctor for a clitoral hood removal. Tanya says that whenever she pulled back her hood, she wished it would stay like that. Her gynecologist resisted at first, but when Tanya insisted, the doctor gave in. Tanya says the shot of local anesthetic is what hurt the most. The doctor then pulled back the hood, clamped it, and then cut off the hood. “When she removed the clamp, there was a little blood (not too much)” and Tanya didn’t feel anything except the anesthesia shot. “The whole thing healed in 4-5 days and that was it.” Tanya says, “My clit is now exposed, very much the same as a circ’ed penis.” Her partners didn’t even notice that she had had the surgery, but when she pointed it out to them, “they said it was smarter that way.” She likes the feeling of letting the water in the bathtub hit her clit. “The jet hits my clit directly and makes me come. Before my circ, I had to hold the hood back with my hand.” Tanya closes by saying, “I agree with the other posters that it definitely enhanced my sexuality, and I feel good that I had it done.”

 7. On October 8, 1997, Phyl) posted again, “To Sally, Tricia, Tanya..Female Circ.” thanking the women who had told about their hood removals. “You all seem to be very pleased with your circumcisions.” She (Phyl) now has an appointment with her gynecologist, planning to ask him to perform the surgery on her.

 8. Also on October 8, Phyl posted essentially the same message to Christy, “Christy, Female circ.” .

 9. On October 12, 1997, Phyl posted to Nelly and Christy, “Nelly, Christy Female circ” thanking them for their support and promising to let them know the details of her upcoming visit to her gynecologist .

 10. On October 18, 1997, Phyl posted to report the results of her visit to her gynecologist on Tuesday (October 14, 1997), “To Nelly, Clit hood removed” Phyl had the surgery, and says, “The surgery is quite simple and took only a few minutes. Four days later, she reports being “still sore and am not back into sexual activity yet,” but says that her boyfriend is “quite turned on by the look of my exposed clit,” and Phyl herself is looking forward to her new sensations.

 11. On October 20, 1997, a new poster, Sandy, expressed skepticism about Phyl’s report, “Phyl = Fake” Sandy can’t believe that Phyl and her boyfriend would be talking after four days about how good Phyl looks, because, Sandy says, “I underwent this operation a few years ago and believe me the first week it was not very good looking.” Sandy allows that “Today I can tell you it was worthwhile,” but thinks Phyl is not telling the truth about her situation.

12. On October 24, 1997, Phyl replied to Sandy’s expression of skepticism, “Sandy..LIGHTEN UP!!” Phyl says that she is sorry that Sandy seems to have had complications after her surgery, but Phyl insists, “I was only swollen for 2 or 3 days, after that I was a little ‘itchy.’” Now ten days after the actual surgery, Phyl hopes to make peace, saying, “I’m glad you’re happy with your circumcision, I’m happy with mine.”
 13. Five days later (October 29, 1997), Phyl posted a new report, responding to some questions, “Nat, Shirley, Female circ”. Phyl says that she is not yet “back to ‘full swing’ since my circ,” but lists a few changes she has already experienced. She says that she still seems to be able to masturbate the same way as she did prior to the operation, enjoys a stream of water on her clitoris, and “just rubbing up against something works well, especially with no hood to get in the way.” She likes how she looks now. “Since my operation, my whole genital area has a nice, delicate, sensual feeling.” She claims already to have a “faster response time,” on the basis of one oral sex session with her husband (“I have to say, it was just terrific!!”) She goes on to say, “I came very fast and with a lot of intensity,” but cannot be sure if this will be her new norm until she has more post-operative experience. She claims “I do have a new awareness of my clit, which is probably because it is exposed and is subjected to stimulation in many new ways. In other words, I feel more ready for sex!” Tight jeans don’t “tickle” her down there, but they do “give me a very pleasant, sexy feeling.” She looks forward to more experiences, and thinks that it might turn out that “any straddling activities, (like horseback riding or bicycling etc.) could prove to be a [sic] very orgasmic experience!!” Phyl concludes by saying, “At this point, I’m happy with my circumcision and haven’t seen anything negative about it. I think any woman who likes sex would benefit from it.”

 14. After another expression of skepticism by yet another woman, someone else joined the discussion. Kathy (perhaps the same Kathy as the one who posted at circlist—see 2.1.1, above; or perhaps the same Kathy as the friend named by Sharon in 2.2.1, above; see also 17, 19, 24, 26-28, 52-54, 56, 58-59, 61, 63-64, 70-71, below) “Mandy.. Feamle [sic] circ writes on November 2, 1997 that she had been circumcised two years earlier, and finds nothing incredible in Phyl’s reports of her own recuperation and return to sexual activity. Kathy writes, “We are not talking major surgery, this involves removing only a very small piece of skin. I think Phyls [sic] description is quite accurate, and is similar to my own experience. I sure didn’t put my life ‘on hold’ for very long.”

 15. On November 7, Phyl  responded to Kathy, “Thanks, Kathy” and claims a new advantage for the surgery: “For the first time since our marriage I can reach orgasm in the same time frame as my DH [husband], sometimes sooner. I feel like were [sic] on a more level playing field.”
16. Vanity posted on November 18, 1997, “What’s a nice quim?” who had her inner labia “clipped off by a doctor” four years earlier for cosmetic reasons. “I was uneasy with that piece of dark and redundant skin and now my pussy looks neater. It has nothing to do with mutilation and if I had to do it again, I certainly would without hesitation.” Vanity says that this is a “very minor surgery.”
17. Kathy returned to the discussion on December 3, 1997, “Merany, female circumcision”. Kathy tells Merany (who had apparently reported being clitoridotomised two years earlier), “I was also circumcised two years ago. It just did wonders for my sex life, my response time is unreal.” Kathy claims to reach orgasm as fast or faster than her boyfriend, and likes the feeling of her clit rubbing on her clothing, “it sure keeps me focused on sex.” She is very enthusiastic about her results, “This was just a wonderful experience for me, my only regret is that I didn’t know about it sooner!!”

 18. Yet another new voice was added the same date (December 3, 1997), “Female circ IIwhen Anita writes that she “had it done in 1986, when no one dared to talk about that. I felt I was a very rare specimen, as most of the talks [sic] around female circ was related to plain mutilation (as practiced in Africa and in Arab countries). Consequently, I never dared to share this info regarding myself with anyone.” Anita says that her gynecologist had recommended the procedure to her, since she was “inorgasmic to a certain degree.” She says that “the procedure is simple and the whole thing heals up within a week.” Now eleven years after having the operation, she has this to say about it: “I am extremely pleased with the results and my difficulties reaching orgasm are now solved.”
19. Kathy responded on November 21, 1997 to Vanity, “Clitoral hood” asking if Vanity also had her hood removed. Kathy says that she had her hood removed two years ago and “The results were just wonderful.”

20. On December 4, 1997, Lynn posted a number of questions about what it is like for those who have had the surgery. On the same day, Phyl  wrote “Circumcised and very happy” in response to Lynn’s query. Having had her hood removed not quite two months ago (on October 14, 1997—see 10, above), Phyl tells Lynn that her results were “quite dramatic.” Phyl claims that the surgery “Made me much more aware of my clitoris as I reach orgasm at least as soon (sometimes sooner than my DH [husband] during intercourse.” Oral intercourse, she finds, “is also more pleasant” since she is freed from having to hold back her hood from getting in the way. She does not find contact of her now exposed clitoral tip with clothing (such as tight jeans) to be a problem; “actually, it gives me a pleasant, delicate feeling.” She explains how she masturbates now that she has no hood: “I just sort of ‘trap’ my clit between my fingers and gently move it back and forth, sometimes I very GENTLY touch the tip.” She closes with the encouragement, “I’m very ‘happily circumcised.’”
The following message was from Sue, who asks a number of additional questions.
21. Phyl then answered these questions, “More on female circumcision”. It was outpatient surgery; done in the doctor’s office; a couple of shots of Xylocaine is all it took for anesthetic; after the surgery, she kept it clean “Just dabbing the area with a damp cloth and antiseptic soap”; healing time was “only about 10 days”; she never had really used her hood to masturbate anyway, so her method now was not really different except that the hood was no longer in the way; it is actually easier to masturbate now, since she can now just rub up against something “like a pillow etc.” to reach orgasm. Sue also asked for a picture of Phyl’s results, and Phyl promises to provide one later.
22. Posting on December 4, 1997, Christy, “Clit-hood Removed” who had not had the surgery as of October 6 reports having had her clitoral hood removed “a few weeks ago.” She reports that “The appearance is improved,” and that her husband likes it so much that his “appetite” is improved. Christy reports “Exposed clit turns out just like a circed penis and gives me new feelings and sensations.” Christy encourages others to share their experiences.
23. Also on December 4, 1997, after another posting filled with questions, a new participant in the discussion, Norma-Jean, tells about her hood removal in “In my case…”. Norma-Jean’s own husband, an MD, did her surgery “about 3 yrs ago.” Norma-Jean says that her clit was “hidden by a quite long hood.” Her hood actually protruded beyond the opening of her outer labia, and she didn’t like how that looked. She, too, makes the comparison of how her hoodless clitoris looks like male circumcision: “Now that I’m done my clit looks very much the same as his [her circumcised husband’s] circ’d head, except, of course, much smaller.” Now, nothing protrudes beyond her outer labia, and although she thinks this decision is a very personal one—which she would neither encourage nor discourage others from making—she closes, “I can only say that I’m very pleased I’ve had it done (both sexually and aesthetically).
24. Kathy joined this discussion on December 5, 1997, “hoodless and happy” and says she had her hood removed two years ago, “in order to speed up my response time.” She says she now usually reaches orgasm before her boyfriend does during intercourse. “With no hood to get in the way, my clit is subjected to more stimulation in many different ways and is a real plus in all sexual activities.” Kathy say that her clit does protrude “slightly past my outer lips,” and during sexual excitement, “it protrudes somewhat further.”
25. Phyl  returned to the discussion on December 6, 1997, “I love circ!!” Phyl anticipates that some uncircumcised men will say to women who prefer circumcised men that if they think like this, they should go and have their hoods removed. Phyl gladly reports that she did just that, and her husband “also likes to look at my exposed clitoris.”
26. After a question about the importance of the clitoral hood for stimulation during intercourse, Kathy offered a reply on December 30, 1997, “Carol, clit hood removal”. Kathy says, “[O]ften the clitoral hood is too long to stimulate the clitoris during intercourse. Kathy notes that “only about 25% of women can orgasm regularly during intercourse,” and says that having her hood removed put her into this “lucky 25%.” Kathy says, “I’m VERY pleased with the surgery. With no hood, my clitoris is easily stimulated in various ways during intercourse (and all other sexual activities) so I really don’t have to work hard at all to achive [sic] orgasm.”
27. After a post by a man who claimed that hood removal provides no medical benefits, on December 26, 1997, Kathy disputed this claim, “Female Circumcision CAN be beneficial. Kathy says, “I was circumcised as an adult woman and the results of the operation were beyond my expectations. I’m VERY pleased with the outcome.” She notes that in the “Spice of Life” site, there had been numerous postings by women who had their hoods removed, and “you won’t find one negative post.”

 28. Kathy posted again on December 30, 1997, “Maybe have your clit hood removed” Kathy suggests that another woman’s inability to have an orgasm from intercourse might be helped by having her hood removed. “After I had my clitoral hood removed my ability to orgasm during intercourse improved dramatically.” Kathy says she now usually reaches orgasm before her partner, whereas before her hood removal she had trouble reaching orgasm at all during intercourse.
29. On January 2, 1998, Floyd Dunham, “Female Circumcision” posted the web address of a clinic in Lake Tahoe that at that time advertised that they did this sort of surgery. (Clitoral hood removal is no longer advertised on their website, but I have independently confirmed that they still do perform this surgery. For this and other clinics who perform the surgery, go here.) Floyd mentions that one of his wife’s friends had this surgery (at another clinic) prior to her marriage.

30. The question is raised whether it would be a good or bad idea to have one’s clit hood removed. Nancy responded on October 15, 2000, “anon…Clit hood removal”. Nancy says that a friend who had her clitoral hood removed “had no trouble adjusting to it.” Nancy reports that, “At first she felt a little bare with her clitoris exposed to clothing all the time, but she soon got used to the feeling which she describes as pleasant now.” Nancy goes on to say, “I think a woman is just as capable as a man in dealing with new sensations of an exposed glans, it just takes a little getting used to, and BTW, she had no loss of sensitivity. Sexually, she has her orgasms much sooner now, much faster than her husband which works for both of them.”

 Nancy concludes by noting that one additional advantage of clitoral hood removal is that there is no place for smegma to be trapped, once the hood is removed.

A Candid Interview With Dr. Royal Benson, III

A Surgeon Who Has Performed Hundreds Of Clitoral Unhoodings—On His Surgical Method And Related Issues.

Dr. Benson, the Hoodectomy procedure is fairly common in that its objective is to unhood the clitoris. But, how do you specifically perform the procedure?

Well, this varies from surgeon to surgeon, as you might expect. My technique has varied somewhat in the 150 procedures I’ve done over the last several years. I’ve now gained significant experience dealing with varying body types and anatomies to assure a good result.

The way I begin is by first determining the extent of the sensory perimeter of the clitoris. By this, I mean I actually test the region around the clitoris, when the patient is fully conscious, using hot and cold swabs. This tells me two things. First, it tells me if the woman has a hormonal issue, or one of sensitivity. If it’s a sensitivity problem, this testing gives me an understanding about how far out the nervous tissue from the clitoris extends. Now, don’t get me wrong . . . normally the innervation of the clitoris is localized to the immediate area, and few people know that sometimes there will be more sensitivity to one side of the clitoris, versus the other. This is extremely important in ascertaining the extent of the procedure. Next, I use the experience I’ve gained from studying the natural folds and muscular action of the genital area and mark what I believe will be the best areas to remove. As I said, it’s very important to realize that there are no two vulvas that are the same. A good result can ONLY come from doing many, many procedures. The size of the clitoris determines the extent of the Hoodectomy.

Once I’ve established a perimeter, and marked the area accordingly, I apply a topical benzocaine anesthesia ointment to numb the immediate area. After waiting for this numbing action to occur, about twenty minutes, I further infiltrate the area with a more concentrated anesthetic, usually one combined with epinephrine to reduce fluid loss. From there, I retract the clitoral node from the Prepuce (clitoral hood) allowing sufficient space for a surgical incision. Generally, I use a very small curved incision made roughly 270 degrees in an arc, around the clitoral hood. In most instances the incision is approximately 1⁄4” long. Never, at any time, is the clitoris node near enough to the incision area to risk any injury to the nervous tissue, because it is retracted far enough to prevent accidental damage. At all times the patient is awake. The area remains numb for approximately 60-90 minutes, which is more than enough time to finish the Hoodectomy procedure. The small incision is closed with a few sutures that dissolve in about seven days. Also, I used some special instruments that I’ve designed that allow for a nice accommodation of the artistic arc that’s needed to assure natural tissue movement after the surgery is finished. I also use some graft techniques that enhance healing and improve the results. I specifically don’t talk about these because of the years it’s taken me to develop them. But the bottom line is that my graft technique cuts down on pain, swelling and scarring.

How long does the procedure take?
In virtually every case, the surgical part of the procedure I do, takes less than an hour. Now that’s not the entire process, needless to say, because I do some sensitivity testing beforehand.

What are the complications you’ve seen?
I’ve never had any notable complications. However, as with any surgical procedure, complications can occur. Usually they are few. Inflammation is an example of something that can occur, not so much from the anesthetics, but from a histamine reaction to the suture material. Sometimes there is some irritation from the separation of the tissues. Infection is usually never an issue because patients are given antibiotics a few days prior to the procedure—and a week after, which virtually eliminates any chance of infection happening. If any infection does occur, it is usually treated with topical antibiotic creams and/or ointments. Actually, there is something rather beneficial from having a Hoodectomy done. It’s rarely talked about but it’s well known that for some women who have frequent urinary tract infections and frequent vaginitis, those conditions seem to resolve after a Hoodectomy. The theory behind it of course is that if one has a considerable amount of excess tissue in this area; this excess tissue can cause a problem with excess bacterial build up, thus increasing the possibility of these feminine infections.

How painful is the procedure?
Most patients are able to return to normal activities within 36 hours, many in less time. In every instance, they’ll never feel pain during the procedure. Ice packs are provided as well and sometimes, for those women who are particular sensitive, we’ll provide a mild pain reliever, usually an oral med. I have many women who’ll fly in, have the procedure done, and head right out to the airport to head home. No problems whatsoever.

What are the main reasons a woman would want to have a Clitoral Unhooding done? 
I’ve discovered that in most cases, the main reason is always the same. The woman wants to have the procedure done to help her reach orgasm faster, or to have a much stronger climax. Another reason given frequently is that the woman wants to improve her potential for having multiple climaxes. There’s been some data that says that roughly 15% of the population is capable of multiple climaxes and that number improves significantly with a Clitoral Unhooding. But, the real benefit for women, and for men to a large extent, is that if a woman can achieve climax faster and with greater intensity, she naturally wants to have sex more often . . . so generally, her mate would benefit as well. Sex becomes real enjoyable, for both people, again. That’s a huge benefit for a few thousand bucks.

How would you describe the typical woman who is having this procedure done?
Well, there is no real stereotype. I’ve done procedures on women in their early twenties and even on some women in their sixties. Some are married, some divorced, some single. In many cases, a woman will come to see me for a Labiaplasty problem, and she’ll also have the Clitoral Unhooding done at the same time. The reason is because the Prepuce, or Clitoral Hood is actually an extension of the labia. She might mention to me that she’s had a difficult time with reaching climax or does so very infrequently. She might say something like, “my friend says she’s reaching orgasm with this guy in minutes and how great it is, and she’s not achieving climax at all.” She’ll tell me that sometimes she thinks it’s a mental problem, which is really sad. I usually offer to give her a sensitivity examination and testing, and in some of these cases, I’ll usually find the problem to be with excessive Prepuce tissue. But at least half the time women come to me solely to have a Hoodectomy done. As far as being a married woman or being a single woman, well, the numbers are about even.

Are your patients usually willing to give their perspectives on Hoodectomy postoperatively?
I’ve done numerous patients who are willing to discuss their cases with prospective patients. And, in fact, we have a few of them on this web site. I’ve never had a patient who’s been unhappy with the results.

What have you heard about the main objections from women to having this procedure done?
The main objection I’ve heard is largely from bad information that they’ve heard or read about loss of sensitivity. Also, the procedure is confused with Clitoridectomy, which is nothing more than Female Genital Mutilation. But, let’s talk about the issue of loss of sensitivity. Some people claim it can lead to loss of sensitivity.

What people are talking about with Clitoral Unhooding is usually a claim that involves loss of sensitivity over time, because of chronic exposure. There are no studies that support this view. During a Hoodectomy, there is no loss of sensitivity because if the surgeon has the experience to not overexpose the clitoris and properly lets the clitoris seat in its protective sheathing—meaning they have an aesthetic understanding of each woman’s particular anatomy—there will not be any chance of loss of sensation because the clitoris will still have its protective hood. The concept isn’t to completely remove the hood . . . the concept of a successful Hoodectomy is to remove the problematic tissue that is inhibiting the clitoris from protruding, thus keeping it from receiving the proper amount of stimulation. That’s what this is all about.

Let’s be honest here . . . does this procedure really work to help increase stimulation?
Absolutely. There’s no doubt about it. The clitoris is the end of the G-Spot. It’s a long bundle of nervous tissue. Once I remove that excess hood tissue there’s more of the highly innervated surface of the clitoral node exposed, allowing more sensation and helping the woman achieve a faster, stronger climax.

Are the results immediate?
I tell my patients that they should avoid sex for at least a few weeks, to allow the area to heal properly. But, I will say that I’ve had women call me after the first week, and tell me they couldn’t resist, telling me how wonderful the sexual climaxes can be. Now, I’m not recommending this, but sometimes I hear about it. The results, however, are immediate.

What should a patient look for selecting a surgeon?
It’s like of like the real estate line. You know, the one that says, “location, location, location?” Well, the same thing is true of this procedure . . . only the saying is “experience, experience, experience”. That’s because experience is the key to assuring that you’ll get a good result. A surgeon that has performed hundreds of Clitoral Unhoodings, like I have, understands the aesthetic architecture of the female genitalia and can allow for natural movement of the tissues before, and afterward. How the exposure of the clitoral node appears after the surgery is what’s important. This is perhaps the most important aspect of the procedure—to assure that the clitoral node won’t be exposed too much, which can result in over stimulation and possibly pain. You should only consider using a surgeon who has a huge number of procedures to their credit.

How many procedures must surgeons do to consider themselves “experienced” in it?
It’s important to realize that there are fine differences between body types, depending on race, weight, anatomical proportion and other issues. ONLY an experienced surgeon that has performed a successful number of Hoodectomies can appreciate this fine detail. A surgeon doing this procedure usually gains the necessary experience after performing at least 35 procedures. I’d say that’s the minimum number.

What is the best time for someone to get this procedure done?
There’s nothing special about timing. The best answer to that question is, whenever she feels it’s appropriate for her. One would think that young women would want this procedure done more than older women, but it’s exactly the opposite that is true. The reason is that as women get older, they often feel more insecure about the problem during sex. Younger women haven’t usually discovered the problem yet.

www.clitoralunhooding.com/

http://www.labiaplastysurgeon.com/sexual-enhancement.html

http://www.gynaecologists.co.uk/clitoral-hoodectomy.html

http://www.urogyn.org/avs_clitoral.html

Female Circumcision: “Prohibition or Allowance?”
Islamic & Medical Perspective

Dr. Asim Abdelmoneim Hussein

      Preventive Medicine

      Khartoum University – Sudan                            May 2004

Preface

               The issue of female circumcision: a clear picture of intellectual dilemma that we as Muslim Umma nowadays experience; also has become an area of scientific

falsification:

ð Some speaking with the name of medicine from which they are distant

ð Some near to medicine but lack scientific facts and fundamental tools of giving fatwa’s  

ð Some are women or others addicted with media and excitement 

 ð Some INGOs and other agencies have nothing to do but female circumcision – though  not authorized neither possessing a solution!

• But Solution already exists:  Look at Islamic sources and in Muslim Scholars writings and interpretations
• The paper as such is a scientific argument and a religious discussion – a message to face the current  unjustified and unscientific  global campaign to prohibit every and all forms of female circumcision, because, as they claim, every and all forms of female circumcision are genital mutilations! Is that true?!  Scientific?! Or Justified? !.       

Truth should be said and announced despite all sorts of oppression:

Introduction

Our  first Introductory  Comment:

             “Prophet Mohamed was the first in history to abolish Pharaonic  Circumcision. It is totally Forbidden in Islam. Science only did that very very recently” and after 1400 after the Pt!!!!

I have to apologize for discussing this sensitive issue, I hope not violating shyness. I am, however,  addressing elites and future physicians. Shyness though a highly honored quality in Islam, it is not to hinder learning or to  bring good for public interests.

قال صلي الله عليه وسلم ( اثنان يمنعان العلم: الكبر والحياء)

     Prophet Saying: Two things prevent learning: ignorance  & Shyness.

وقالت عائشة : نعم النساء نساء الانصار لم يمنعهن الحياء من ان يتفقهن في الدين .

So: Was it an absolute prohibition of all forms of circumcision? Wasn’t  there options given?
And to what extent Embryological & Anatomical facts substantiate that options?
 It is a wrong and deliberate message to confuse between the Pharaonic, that savage and cruel circumcision stopped by the Prophetic wisdom and for the first time in history  and between a different option. He is the same courageous and merciful man صلي الله عليه وسلم who said no to cruelty through saying yes to moderation and a merciful practice. This practice has been described as a tradition of moderation, as a Fitra tradition, as a healthy measure. To what extent that sounds true and scientific, not through mere shouting, but through scientific methods and facts, through Anatomical and embryological facts and resemblance, let us say, to male circumcision, its stereotype and other version!!!

Prophet Mohamed   صلي الله عليه وسلم was the first we know of in history who prohibited the Pharaonic circumcision. How?

عن ام عطيه الا نصاريه ( ان امراة كانت تختن في المدينة فقال لها النبي صلي الله عليه وسلم :

(أشمي ولا تنهكي فانه احظي للمراة واحب للبعل ) صحيح الاسناد اخرجه الا لباني في سلسلة الاحاديث الصحيحه تحت رقم (922)

Um Atia Alansaria said that the Prophet told a lady who used

to circumcise women in Madina, a common pre-Islamic (practice):

“Just touch and don’t destroy, that’s more pleasing to woman and more beloved to the husband”!”

This Hadith :
Prohibited and for ever that form of circumcision which was prevailing in Medina & Arab peninsula in general before Islam ( pharaonic )
Described practically though broadly how to perform an alternate form of circumcision
Gaving 2 advantages of the alternate form: one for the wife and one for the husband:

What’s then this “new option”  Female Circumcision?
LET us see!

• According to this Hadith, [Prophetic Saying] no genital organ to be removed or destroyed – don’t destroy!.
• Interpretation and understanding of that lady to the Hadith and of the following Muslim Scholars resulted in what was then described as Sunna Female Circumcision: the removal of the lowest portion of the prepuce, that skin topping clitoris, Islamic circumcision for females is to follow that for males
• The 4 Muslim scholars after reviewing main sources all agreed on its allowance with varied degrees from being obligatory to both males and females to being obligatory to males allowed if females request it :

.1الختان واجب علي الذكر والانثي : ” الشافعية ” ورواية عن احمد
 .2الختان سنة علي الذكر والأنثى:   ” ابوحنيفه” الرواية الثانية لأحمد
 .3الختان واجب علي الذكر ومكرمة للانثي ” المالكية “
رواية عائشة رضي الله عنها الواضحة عن النبي صلي الله عليه وسلم ( اذا التقي الختانان فقد وجب الغسل( .
وحديث ابو هريرة عن النبي صلي الله عليه وسلم : الفطرة خمس الختان

والاستحداد وقص الشارب وتقليم الأظافر ونتف الإبط.

         WHO in 1979 “Customs that affect Health of women & children”: The right manoeuvre of female circumcision is to remove the prepuce and is
anatomically similar to male circumcision (removal of glance prepuce) this is known as Sunna circumcision and this type has no harmful effects on health”

Surgical removal of prepuce in females is also reported in the American medical literature as a remedy for certain conditions such as loss of sexual libido in some woman, adhesions, inflammation and smelly clitorial secretions.

There are now recognized  Gynaecological/Psychological  indications for Prepucetomy including:

1. Enlarged, sizable Prepuce
2. Inflammation in the prepuce-clitoral junction
3. Increased sensitive and pain on slightest  touch at the prepuce-clitoral junction
4. Adhesions at the prepuce-clitoral junction 
5. Decreased sexual libido
6. Hyper sexuality & Increased sexual libido.

Embryology of Reproductive System

5. Till 7th week of embryonic development origin of reproductive organs formation is the same  in both male & female.
5. At 8th –to- 10th week  male & female reproductive organs are identical
5. After 12th week obvious differentiation between the 2 sexes occurs

 

Embryological differentiation in the external genitalia.

 *  Scrotal skin of males is equivalent to  Labia major  in females

 * Front part of male urethra & spongy tissues around it (corpus spongiosum) which  extends to form the glans  penis in equivalent to the tissues of labia minora (bulb of vestibule) that extend to constitute the head of the clitoris & the skin of the

   prepuce.

èRemoval of prepuce of penile glance in male circumcision is the equivalent to the removal of prepuce covering clitoris in Sunna female circumcision

Ø If Sunna circumcision is genital mutilation, Why male circumcision is not then genital mutilation? Or even why not cutting nails or head hair or beards  not a physical mutilation in stead of being a hygienic / fashion practices?

Ø If Sunna female circumcision is to be prohibited, who can guarantee not prohibiting also male circumcision?. Is it going to be in the coming International Resolutions, Muslims legitimately ask?

Prepuce in females

• Skin tissue present over the head of clitoris.
• It has two surfaces with connective tissue in between,      the outer surface is a normal skin and the inner is an epithelial surface  having Tayson glands which  secretes a sebaceous  like secretion which is good media for bacterial growth & other microorganisms and might lead to inflammations, adhesions, itching and pain.
• Its size & length differ from one female to another
• Resection of prepuce exposes head of the clitoris for a better function! It doesn’t touch any  bit of the labia minora which meets at the lower part of Clitoris or of the labia majora. They are totally intact & preserved, the rich mesh of neural complexes are there, sexual sensation and joy are there and   Fitra preserved as well and as it is said:

“Islam is the Religion of Fitra”

& Fitra is the good old traditions of the Prophets & Messengers of Allah”

The Practice of Sunna Circumcision = a minor surgical procedure!

• Simple surgical procedure 
• Prepare child psychologically, read Quran on her & make Duwaả
• Aseptic conditions, local aesthesia only!
• Only Resection of that part of prepuce (the superficial & inner layers toping the head of clitoris (nothing to be touched of head or body & clitoris)
• No stitches needed at all, the wound held by forceps for 5-10 minutes & finished! 

Conclusion:

1. Islam is the religion of Fitra & circumcision of both males & females is one of the Fitra traditions  and practices

2.   Female circumcision was a known practice in pre-Islamic era and in Madina during Prophets Mohamed صلي الله عليه وسلم  time

3. It was a Pharaonic-type of circumcision and Prophet Mohamed Prayers be upon him  صلي الله عليه وسلم was the first to abolish and suggested an alternative
4. Confusion between Pharaonic and legalized Sunna circumcision by some people is a deliberate act to distort the picture of Islam.
5. It is not an obligatory act but an allowed act. Allowed practices in Islamic Sharia mean that there should be no denials to those who do them
6. The intensive campaigns and rabid international and unfortunately  sometimes national calls to prohibit all forms of female circumcision as we have already argued is controversial to scientific facts, to the Orthodox Teachings of Muslims and to their Religious Rights and `Cultural Secularities
7. Not everybody is qualified to give his opinion in such a matter unless she/he is able to  reproduce Islamic evidence, qualified to reliably argue scientific facts  & possessing the required tools to do so..

7.  Sunna female circumcisions is a minor surgical maneuver, requires   

    only local anesthesia, no stitches,  and is a matter of few minutes.

8. “Sunna female circumcision” and “Safe Circumcision”

are synonymous and describing it as mutilation is an offence to Islam!

9. Our obstetricians instead of blindly following international campaigns they better develop their own critical methodology, go back & revise Muslim Scholars sayings and evidence from Quran & Sunna, they should instead start a campaign to abolish  pharaonic circumcision & to train midwives on how to perform the most  simplest procedure of resecting  the prepuce.

10.  Contemporary Medical practice & experiences  verify the healthy advantages of the Sunna female circumcision:

                ► Prepuce frequently a site  for unwanted secretions

                ► Its removal stops unpleasant smells

                ► Reduces incidence of urinary & genital tract  infections.

                ► Preserves sexual joy in its best form   

11.  From a religious point of view

                 ► Sunna circumcision is a Fitra practice and as such an obedience to the Prophet prayers and peace be upon him

                 ► Cleanliness & Tuhara are improved

                 ► More pleasant for both husband and wife

                 ► To be intended as an act of worship and not as a social habit

Stabilizing female Circumcision.

 

Presented in A seminar titled :

Standards and values of controlling harmful traditional practices (i.e. female circumcisions)

 

Prepared by:
Dr: Fathiya Hasan Margani
College of Islamic sharia and law
Omdurman Islamic University.
Khartoum: 13th may 2002

 In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful.
Praise be Allah, and prayers and peace be upon our prophet Mohammed, and on to his family and companions.
And…Circumcision is one of nature’s disposition qualities, affirmed by the prophet’s Sunna, it is an old, and well-known practice to Arabs and others.
Even before the coming of Islam. In this paper we consider these following two axis:
First : the definitions of circumcisions both lexically and idiomatically .
Entry circumcision, to circumcise both boy and girl .The noun is circumcision, and the transitive verb of it is circumcised. The term is different in the Arabic language but it could be applied and used for both males and females
In English .Circumcision , is the part circumcised of a male’s , or the part
To be removed of a female’s genital parts
Abu Mansour stated : ( Ii is the part, which is removed out of a male, and female’s genital parts.) And as the prophet’s traditional Hadith states (If the two circumcised parts met. Then it is obligatory to perform the ritual ablution) the term {the circumcised parts} suggests a genuine dual not an alteration one. It is start that female circumcision is like male’s circumcision, so the term can be applied and used for both sexes.
The idiomatic definition of circumcision:-
Abi Hajer said: (circumcision is the infinitive of circumcised, meaning to cut or remove .And circumcision is the removal of a particular part from a particular organ.) Al Mawardi said regarding male’s circumcision: (Males circumcision is the removal of skin covering the prepuce.) And he said on female’s circumcision: (It is the removal of the skin at the top of her vulva, above the male’s entrance. Whish is like a rooster’s crest, and it is proper to cut the transcendent skin without ablation.) And Ibn Taymiyya said on female’s circumcision : ( To circumcise her, is to cut of the transcended skin whish is like a rooster’s crest.) This definition was also agreed upon by both, Mohammed Ali El Bar in his saying: (Circumcision is the removal of the prepuce on the penis ,or the covering layer of skin on a female’s clitoris.) And by Dr : Mohammed Bin Mohammed El Mukhtar El Shingitti on circumcision surgery : (It is the surgery concerning the removal of the piece of skin covering the prepuce ( the top of the penis) for men (or the cutting of the lowest part of skin on the top of the vulva for women.) Dr: Hamid Rshwan And other doctors stated that : (Sunna circumcision means to cut the skin ,or the prepuce covering the clitoris.)
Thus, it is clear that female circumcision by sharia law is like male’s circumcision, which is the removal of skin covering the prepuce for males and the one covering the clitoris for females.
Second: the Origin of legitimacy and manner of circumcision :
(A) The traditional Hadith concerning circumcisions are general for both males and females ,some of them are :
1- Stated on the Sahihes , upon Abu Hurrayra’s narration: (Five things are in accordance with Alfitra : to be circumcised , to shave the pelvic region , to pull out the hair of the armpits , to cut short the mustache , and to clip the nails.)
2- What’s reported on Ibn Abbas’s may god be pleased with him on the glorified and Almighty’s saying : (And remember that Abraham was tried by his lord with certain commands , which he fulfilled .) He said : ( God has afflicted him with modesty .five on the body .The ones on the head are :trimming of the mustache , rinsing out the mouth , cleaning the nose trails with water ,Brushing the teeth , and parting of the hair .And the five on the body are : Nail clipping , shaving of pubic hears , circumcision ,Depilating the armpits , and the washing of feces and urine tracts with water.) These scripts indicate that circumcision is one of nature’s dispositions, and that it is general for males and females alike .And there hasn’t been a script restricting the act to males alone.
(B) The particularized Hadith on females circumcision are:
1- On behalf of um Attiya the supporter that while a women was circumcising in Al Medina the Prophet said: (Don’t exhaust for it is fortunate for her , and desired by her husband.) Abu Daoud claimed that the Hadith was weak on the narration of Mohammed Bin Hassan Al Kufi and he is weak. And this Hadith was also delivered by the narration of Al Alla Bin Al Arra , and he is a proper attributer . It was also brought out by Al Allbani on the proper Hadithes series under the number (922)
2- There were two witnesses to Annas’s narration and to um iman’s with El Shiekh , on a book called { Al-Ageeg} and in another book with Al Dhahak bin Gais. And it was also mentioned on [ Al Mustadirk] by Al Hakem, the saying of the prophet may prayers and peace be upon him , to the supporters women : ( Dye by dipping ,and circumcise , but don’t exhaust.) it is proper and was delivered by Al Haithamy on [ Muja’m Al Zaw’aid ] and was brought out by Al Tabarani .
And on the evidence supporting Um Attiyah’s report , was the narration of Al Bukhary , in the [Al Adab Al Mofrad] .That Um Muhajir may Allah’s pleasing be upon her said : (I was captured along with other Roman women . Osman Bin Affan offered Islam to us , so me and another made impraced Islam , he ordered us to be circumcised , and we used to serve him may Alla be pleased with him.)
But Ibn Al Munzir weakened the Hadith regarding circumcision by saying: ( There aren’t any benefits or proper Sunna that we can refer to and follow concerning circumcision)
This was refutable by the narration of Al Arra and the number of Hadith and evidence stated , which strengthens and confirms the narration of Mohammed Bin Hassan Al Kuffi .For the prophet had confirmed females circumcision , and didn’t forbid the women to perform the rituals , but he ordered her to complete , which means to cut from above , and he prevented her not to exhaust , which means not to cut too extremely .And Ibn Al Gaiem Al Juziyah said : ( There is significance in the Hadith to the order of minimizing the amount to be cut.)
Third : scholars ‘decisions and views regarding circumcision:
Scholars have stated three views on circumcision:-
The first view :-
Circumcision is obligatory for males and females .This is proper and well known to Al Shafiya , Al Hanabila , Ibn Taymiyya , Ibn Al Gaiem Al Juziyah . The Shafiya said is obligatory .And Attah said: (A mature person doesn’t become a complete Muslim, unless circumcised.) And they said: (A man should order his Muslim wife for circumcision, just as he orders her for prayers.) And they based the obligation on the following :-
(A) On Allah the glorified and Almighty’s saying : ( Follow the ways of Abraham the true in faith)
It was presented on both Sahihes ( Abraham circumcised himself when he was eighty years old and he circumcise himself with an adze.) And Abu Al Sheikh presented on [ Al Ageega] through Musa Bin Ali Ibn Rabah , upon his father’s words : ( That Abraham may peace be upon him asked to be circumcised when he was eighty years old, but he shied, so he was circumcised with adze.) And so the incident indicates necessity.
(B) Circumcision is painful, and pain exists only for necessary measures.
(C) Circumcision involves exposure of the genital organs, and exposure is forbidden, but only allowed for necessary measures .Ect.
The second view:-
Circumcision is a Sunna for both males and females, which is the faith of Al Hanafiyah, Al I mmam Malik, and Ahmed said .presented on [Al Dour Al Mukhtar]: (Circumcision is a Sunna, it is a ritual of Islam and if people agreed to abandon it. Then the Imam should declare war against them, same as when they abandon Al Azzan. There for, it should not be left without a reason.)
Also, Al Imam Malik said L: (If a person is not circumcised, he is neither accepted as a leader, nor his testimony.)
The third view:-
For males it is obligatory, and for females it’s a noble deed. This narration of Al Imam Ahmed Ibn Hanbal, and some Malikiya and Dhahiriya refers to this .And they inferred to Shadad Ibn Aous’s words: (Circumcision is a Sunna for males, and it brings nobility to females.)
Al Baihagi said that the Hadith is weak, for it has Al Hajaj Ibn Artah , and it he is an imposter but the Hadith has a witness by Al Tabarany . And on Abdul Razag’s classification told by Omar, he said regarding circumcision: (For males it is a Sunna, and it brings cleanness to females.) Al Nawawi said : ( What is proper in our faith , and followed by our companions , is that circumcision is permissible at childhood , and not obligatory .As AL Shawkani stated in [Al Tarjeeh] : ( Honesty , there hasn’t been any genuine evidence suggesting positivness and obligation. It is of the Sunna and properness to follow the positive, until we are obliged to do other wise.)
And from all this, it is apparent that scholars agreed on the permissibility of circumcision in general, but they disagreed on its obligation for both sexes.
And on whether it was a Sunna, or whether it is only obligatory to men, and whether it brings nobility to female.
But none of them said that it was forbidden for women. Even Ibn Al Munzir , where he weakened the Hadith , but didn’t restrict it to males rather than females
Types of female circumcision, its time, invitation, and fare:
Female circumcision is divided into two types:-
1- Lawful circumcision:-
And it’s the removal of the prepuce , which covers the female’s clitoris .
And it’s like the male’s circumcision, and it’s called the Sunna.
2- Unlawful circumcision:-
And its removal of any extra parts beside the clitoris’s prepuce, and it includes the (Complete) pharaoh’s circumcision, the medium, and the improved one, and others.
There for, any type of circumcision involving the removal of any parts of the clitoris is under unlawful circumcision, and is not under the Sunna type, but is under the pharaoh type.
Scholars disagreed on its proper time .Al Mawardi said: (It has two proper times, an obligatory one, and a preferable one .The obligatory is when one reaches adulthood and the preferable one is before that .The choice is between the seventh days after delivery, but should it be postponed, then on the fortieth day. And should it be postponed also then on the seventh year.) The imam of the two Holy mosques said: (It is not right before adulthood, for the boy is not obliged with bodily worship, let alone with painful ones.)
And Abu Al Faraj Al Sirkhasi said that: (there is benefit in circumcising the boy while still young, for his skin is still soft.) And Imam Malik said: (It is better if he is younger than seven years old, or around this age.) Dr .Amal Ahmed Al Bashir said on the time of female circumcision: (It should be around the age where it is easier for the doctor or well trained made to part and cut the prepuce from the clitoris without removing any other part from the surrounding area. And it’s different from one child to another, that’s why there should be a medical check up for each female genital part before deciding upon a time for her circumcision.)
The invitation and fare for circumcision :-
It was ststed on [ Al Al mofrad] on Aisha may Alla be pleased with her said: ( I was invited for a banquet , when I knew that it was a female’s circumcision I said , we never used to announce for it. )
Ibn Al Haj Al maliki stated on his book [Al Madkhal]: (The Sunna on male’s circumcision is to reveal it, and to conceal it on females.)
So female’s circumcision was known, but the disagreement was on its revelation.

Circumcision fees:-
It is acceptable to hire somebody for it, Ibn Godamma said : ( We have no knowledge of disagreement on the matter, and it is lawful)
who pays the fees?
Scholars said that: (It should be from the circumcised own money. if he/she had any .Or from the father, or on whoever is responsible for his/her expenses.)
The advantages of lawful circumcision:-
1- To establish the exalted and glorified Allah’s laws, and his apostle’s Sunna, may Allah’a blessing be upon him.
2- To establish the rightful adequate substitution to fight a harmful practice (pharaoh’s circumcision) with regards to the social and psychological outcomes in leaving it all together.
3- To elevate ritual adoration (lawful circumcision) rather than the habitual (pharaoh’s circumcision).
4- The Arabs always spoke ill of a prepuce person in both their poems and reality. They believed on its filthiness .And it becomes difficult to refine menstrual blood and urine, which leads to foul smells and illnesses.
5- To reduce eroticism by removing the prepuce (Eroticism means, to be preoccupied by your sexual desires. Reducing the prepuce means more moderation.) For both circumcised males and females alike.
6- Reducing the possibility of cancer in both sexes.
7- To minimize masturbation among mature people, because the prepuce discharges stimulates the sexual nerves around the prepuce which leads to itching, which is in itself a delightful invitation for grown-ups.
8- The prevention of infections, because the stench and microbes resides on the prepuce of both sexes
Disadvantages of unlawful circumcision (The pharaoh):-
1- It differs in manners to the lawful one.
2- Mutilation and changes to Almighty Allah’s creations by cutting parts of a female’s genital organs .The exalted Allah said: (We indeed created man in the best of moulds.) And the prophet May Allah’s blessings be upon him cursed those who try to change the creations of Allah.
3- Health hazards such as: bleedings, infections, abscesses, retention of urine, difficult delivery, risk to the infant, puerperal fever, and the risk of torn perineum.
4- Psychological problems such as: psychological shocks, to fear and dread marriage, and labor with the difficulties of social relations.
5- The social damages of getting married to foreigners, which leads to divorce.
And by view the stated of affairs in our current Sudanese society today, we find the following:-
1- The strong attachment to circumcision, and exceeding the limits stated by the Sharia (The Islamic laws) by using the pharaoh type.
2- Those who are against, and abandoned female circumcision. Because of its damages.
3- Those who were guidea by the sharia (The Islamic laws) and offered their worship and services in order to bring them closer to Allah .And neither sharia nor a mind accept the pharaoh type.
Female circumcision in the Sudanese law:-
By referring to the Sudanese acts and laws for the years 1925 and 1974, chapter twenty-two under crimes against human body, we find the following:-
Article 284-(A) unlawful circumcision:
Except where it is mentioned, it is a crime on to any person performing unlawful circumcision. Or whoever causes intentionally any harm or damage to any external part of a female’s sexual organ.
Exempt:
The removing of the pointy part, which descends from a female’s clitoris, is not a crime according to this act.
Whoever commits the crime of performing unlawful circumcision is subjected for less than five years imprisonment or subjected to fine or is subjected to both penalties.
Explanation:
Considered a criminal , any female who self-performs these actsThe Sudanese laws for the years 1925 and 1974 , divided circumcision into two types:
One is accepted by the laws , and the other is unlawful and is under criminal behavior , since one does not comply to the law in the matter of removing only the pointy part of a female’s clitoris.
The magistrate Derrar said: (According to the article 130 (A) (D) from the criminal procedures for the year l974, it is not acceptable to take any legal actions concerning article 284/A unless by permission from the governor.)
The state of the capital punishments laws for the years 1983 and 1991:-
There hasn’t been a term in the capital punishment law for the year l983, nor in the criminal law for the year 1991 , that is similar to article 284/A in the law of 1925 and 1974 . The articles concerning circumcision had been omitted from the 1983’s law .The magistrate Derrar said: (What is known about jurisprudence of criminal law, that a crime has two parts: a material side and a moral side . And if we look into the components of the materialistic side of circumcision, in comparison with the materialistic side for the crimes of damage or amputation of organs , we find that it is exactly similar in kind .But the matter differs when viewed from the moral side , where the criminal intention in damage crimes differs from the straight forward good or the probable intentions. The doers intentions in circumcision’s crimes are not in an atrocious manner .In fact he is seeking the welfare (of the circumcised) whether it be socially or health wise. Therefore, it is difficult to establish to the crime and include it with the rest of crimes .And according to the public principals’ explanation of the law. The omitting of the criminal section in this manner is an indicator of the intentions of those who wrote the law, as not to include it as a crime)
The article 272/2 of the criminal law for the year 1983 is as follows:-
A- The removal of any organ of the body or to cause damage to it, whether be it partially or completely.
B- To paralyze the sense of hearing , or sight , or articulation , or smell , or taste , or the removal of voice , or the ability to intercourse , or to remove the ability to stand up , or sit down , or to remove any advantage’s of the body , or to any of its members partially or completely …All these have capital punishments and are regarded as harmful crimes , and those who wrote on this matter or explained its components excluded circumcision from the lists of crimes …The fact of the criminal law is to summarize its explanation. (There is neither crime nor punishment without an article).
Bearing in mind that the criminal laws and punishments for the year 1991, are not in contrast with the Islamic Sharia laws .Because the law with its sub-branches, is derived from the Islamic jurisprudence .Therefore, it is unacceptable to explain any law to contradict with the Islamic Sharia .And it is well known that circumcision is approved by the apostle’s Sunna, so forming any law or article, should be in agreement with the spirit of the law.
From a theoretical point of view .The Sudanese stated laws here aren’t firm enough so as to include female Sunna circumcisions as a crime into the Sudanese laws, nor is it firms enough so as to bring lawsuit, or capital punishment against whoever commits the act of female circumcision.

Conclusion:-
1- Circumcision is one of the elements of nature’s depositions. And it is an Islamic ritual , scholars have indeed agreed on its permissibility , but none the less disagreed on its judgment
(obligatory of Sunna , or foulness.) but none of the scholars said any thing about it being forbidden .
2- The evidence on the legitimacy of circumcision is general for males and females alike.
3- To animate the order of enjoining in all that is good and the prohibition of all that is wrong. And the public should know it, clear and distinctively, the differences between lawful circumcision and the unlawful type, so that they would stop from practicing the wrong deeds (pharaoh) and obey enjoining for there aren’t any extravagancies nor negligence concerning female Sunna circumcision.
4- Lawful female circumcision is not a burial of female , but it’s a strong attachment to the Apostle’s Sunna .For there isn’t evidence or advantage or any justifiable explanation for forbidden the practice unless to trespass on the Apostle’s Sunna.
5- Referring to some weak Hadiths, isn’t sufficient enough as to be hold as an evidence to forbid female’s circumcision, and that’s for the following reasons:-
A- The presented proper Hadiths were attributed with natural’s dispositions .Which indicates circumcision rightfulness
B- The weak Hadiths, some of them were narrated differently by other versions and proved preperness and the rest were reported with strong evidence supporting them.
C- The origin of deeds is lawfulness, therefore, looking for evidence supporting prohibition of female circumcisions are much harder than looking for permissible ones. And there hasn’t been any Islamic or legal texts saying to its formability or its prohibition.
6- To make sure of stopping the unlawful female circumcision practice. So as to eliminate damage by establishing lawful circumcision .And as the prophet’s saying:
Recommendations:
1- To stabilize medical science , and to prepare knowledgeable doctors .
2- To train doctors, midwifes and nurses on lawful female circumcision and to inter the subject into the medical curriculum .3- To set medical centers to practice lawful circumcision.
4- To avoid passing enactment , which proves to be against Islamic Sharia laws , and therefore proves public passiveness (for the victim’s own acceptance alone is sufficient not to press criminal charges regarding circumcision)
5- To work in order to eliminate all traditional harmful practices , and to preserve religious and good customs.
6- To promote and elevate religious and health awareness particularly among mothers.
7- To release a religious legal opinion to forbid the pharaoh’s circumcision and to legalize Islamic Sunna circumcision.
Conclusion …God, do not blame us if we have forgotten or sinned.
Fathiya Hassan.

Female Circumcision

Negligence and Abuse

By
Dr. Amal Ahmed Elbasheir,
Master of Community medicine,

University of Khartoum, Sudan
-1997-

Introduction
There are different viewpoints about female circumcision. Some people totally abandoned it, while others went to the other extreme and involved into wrong practices. I focused on this issue “female circumcision, negligence and abuse” so as to try to exclude any existed contradiction. I seek to Allah the Almighty to make the result of this study a useful knowledge for all people, Amen.

Female Circumcision in Islam
Sheikh Mahmoud Shaltoot, member of Prominent Scholars Group said: ((Circumcision is an old habit since Prophet Ibrahim’s (peace be upon him) era. At that time circumcision applied for both males and females. Many authentic sayings were told by the Prophet (P.B.U.H), such as: (five traditions existed in Man by instinct: circumcision, cutting from the moustache, pubic and armpit hair shaving, and nail slitting). Most Islamic scholars considered circumcision as an obligation for both sexes. While others asserted an obligation for male and an honor for the female)).
In this study we will show that the viewpoint, which proclaims equality between both sexes in circumcision, is the correct one.

The external Female Genitals
The external parts are the vaginal opening, the labia minora and majora and the clitoris. The clitoris, a small erectile organ resembling the penis, is in the joint of the labia minora, above the urethral meatus. The glans of the clitoris is sensitive like the glans of the penis. A skin (prepuce) covers the clitoris and is called preputium clitoris,which is the same as the prepuce of the penis (preputium penis). Smegma (smegma preputii) and microbes may collect and proliferate, beneath the prepuce, in both sexes.

Methods of female circumcision
1. The proper method (Sunni circumcision):
Islamic scholar Almawordi said: ((female circumcision is the cutting of the skin, which covers the nawah (clitoris) that lies above the urethral meatus)).
Dr. Mohamed Ali Al-Bar, a consultant of Islamic medicine in King Fahad Research Center, and Dr. Hamid Rashwan, a consultant in Sudan, also agreed on the same definition. Also the proper method of female circumcision was described in a book published in 1979 by WHO.
The female Sunni circumcision (like the male circumcision) can be referred to as Prepucectomy and neither Clitoridectomy nor clitoridotomy, which is mentioned in some books. Female prepucectomy is the cutting of the preputium clitoridis. It is done under local analgesia, and complete sterilization of instruments and skin area.The anaethetized prepuce is held with an artery forceps. The skin over the forceps is removed with a curved scissors. The forceps is left for some time to stop any bleeding from the cut edges. This operation is simple and safe, if done by a trained staff and using sterile instruments (it is simpler than giving a child the Triple vaccine injection). In case of lack of trained staff prepucectomy should be postponed, as problems from a wrong operation are frequently more than problems from the delay. Like all other simple operations, complications are rare and are not more than simple curable bleeding or inflammation. If there is more than mild bleeding, the cut edges of the prepuce should not be held together by a stitch. Instead ‘Figure eight’ stitch can be inserted at the bleeding point. This avoids covering of the clitoris again. The advantages of correct prepucectomy for both sexes exceed all alleged dangers, stemming from the wrong practices of female circumcision.
2. Wrong Methods:
Any cutting from the clitoris, or from the labia minora or majora is considered to be against Sunni circumcision (Prepucectomy). Stitching and adhesions of the labia (minora or majora) led to closure of the urethral meatus leaving a covered space that is difficult to clean. Also the small hole left causes psychological and physical troubles for both sexes in the beginning of their marital life.

Advantages of Female Circumcision
According to Prof. Abdel-Alal Abdullah, Professor of Surgery in Sudan, some behavioral acts reported in sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to be followed by people in various domains, were not results of research and laboratory experiments. The Prophet was fully confident that they were right, as the Omniscient Creator of the Universe inspired them. Advanced medical and health laboratory research have reached the great preventional benefits Muslims gain for adhering to ablution rituals and natural behavior reported in the Sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him). And here we are, in the 15th Hijri century, discovering some of these facts, finding out that penis cancer does not affect circumcised male, but is 100% limited to the uncircumcised. The direct cause of this cancer is the secretions by the foreskin removed in the circumcision operation. Prof. Abdullah asserts that cancer affects uncircumcised females, though at a lower rate than males for difference in sizes of the prepuce and quantity of secretions.
Austaz Mohamed Al Lban mentioned that in female circumcision, the foreskin is removed because it prevents cleaning of the menstrual blood and urine, a matter that creates nasty smells.
In a report issued in 1989 , the British Lancet Magazine stated: (The genital organs in males and females constitute an important factor in occurrence of urinary tracts inflammation and nephritis. It is also found that these inflammations with their complications can be avoided by removing a small skin called the prepuce).
In the same line, Dr. Al-Bar wrote: (Female Sunni circumcision has many advantages that researchers reviewed in the medical Islamic Conference on “Islamic Sharia and Present Medical Issues”.

The advantages are:
1- Prevention of inflammations resulting from accumulation of smegma and microbes beneath the prepuce of the female and male.
2- Decreasing cancer rates in circumcised persons of both genders.
3- Genital Herpes, chancroid and granuloma are less in circumcised men and women.
4- Moderation of the sexual desires in circumcised persons of both sexes. The explanation of this is that, if the person is uncircumcised it is difficult for him or her to get satisfaction from the marital intercourse. This is because the sensitive glans of the penis or of the clitoris is covered with the prepuce which is a less sensitive skin, thus the uncircumcised male or female, keeps in permanent search for satisfaction.
In one of the WHO books, it was stated that “circumcision proper” is also sometimes practiced in the United States for treating non-occurrence of woman’s climax in cases of loose or tight prepuce.
Dr. A.B Lurry, an American doctor, warned that the prepuce of the clitoris is sometimes very tight, so instead of prevention it becomes a source of permanent sexual agitation due to the natural secretions withheld beneath it. She added that many women have remained nervous for the rest of their lives, and early circumcision in a woman’s childhood would be a definite cure.
With reference to views of these scholars and doctors we find that the advantages of woman circumcision are similar to those of male circumcision. These include:
5 – Cleanness:
Following removal of the prepuce of the clitoris, cleaning of the natural secretions, the menstrual blood and urine becomes easy and this protects the woman from many organic and psychological diseases.
Moderation of sexual desires via two means:
First the prepuce decreases the pleasure of the marrital sexual life, so after its removal the climax and satisfaction are realized. Also removal of the prepuce prevents accumulation of the natural secretions beneath it, thus the frequent arousal of the genital nerves around the glans vanishes. Here both married and single women are concerned.
An added advantage of female prepucectomy is that it may be the most useful alternative to replace the malpractice of the present women circumcision.
Also midwives may be more cooperative since they have an alternative, because circumcision is one of their sources of income generation.
The time of circumcising the female
The time of circumcision is not agreed upon. Al-Mawordi said that both the male and female should be circumcised before adolescence.
A medical check should be made before setting the girl’s time of circumcision.
Recommendations
1. 1. Encouragement of female prepucectomy in Sudan and in the world at large. This may be the most useful alternative to replace the malpractice of the present female circumcision.
2. 2. Postponement of the girl’s circumcision to the time at which we find a qualified medical cadre trained on female prepucectomy, this is because harm of wrong circumcision is greater than that caused by postponement.
3. More field studies are needed to investigate the incidence of gynecological problems in uncircumcised and circumcised females.
4. Women should pay due concern to such researches dealing with their problems.

References
* Stedman’s Medical Dictionary, 24th edition, P1135.
* Traditional practices affecting the health of Women & Children, WHO, 1987.
* Dr. Sit Elbanat Khalid Mohamed Ali, Master of Obstetrics & gynecology, University of Khartoum, Sudan.

*أسرار الختان، حسان شمس باشا.
*أسباب محاربة الخفاض في السودان، د. عبد السلام، ود. آمنة، وآخرون.
*الأمراض الجنسية، د. محمد علي البار.
*تحفة المودود بأحكام المولود، ابن قيم الجوزية.
*ختان الأنثى في الطب والإسلام، بين الإفراط والتفريط، د.آمال أحمد البشير، ط 1997م.
*سنن الفطرة، الأمين محمد أحمد.
*صحيح البخاري، للإمام أبي عبد الله محمد بن إسماعيل البخاري، 7/206.
*صحيفة الإنقاذ الوطني، الخرطوم ـ 5 نوفمبر 1994م ـ العدد (1732(

 

The Safe Female Circumcision

• Prepare child psychologically, read Quran on her & make Duwaả
• Aseptic conditions, local aesthesia only!
• Only Resection of that part of prepuce (the superficial & inner layers toping the head of clitoris (nothing to be touched of head or body & clitoris)
• No stitches needed at all, the wound held by forceps for 5-10     minutes & finished

 

1 – It is done under complete sterilization of the skin area.

2 – This is the land mark between the prepuce and the skin of the body of the clitoris  

3 – The local anesthetic i.e. xylocain 2 % will be injected on the land mark between the prepuce and the skin of the body of the clitoris.

4 – The anaesthetized prepuce is griped by a holding artery forceps.

****The skin over the forceps is removed with a curved scissor.

5 – This is the prepuce removed.

6-  The forceps is left for 5 minutes  to stop any bleeding from the cut edges. No stitches will be needed.

7 – THE CLITORIS IS KEPT UNTOUCHED.