Preliminary research into the psycho-sexual aspects of the operation of defibulation

Surgical deinfibulation is the procedure used to reverse infibulation. It involves the incision of the scar tissue to allow the widening of the narrowed vaginal opening. According to some studies, the use of surgical deinfibulation could be effective in reducing psychosexual complication associated with infibulation. The present study aimed to investigate motivations, expectations, feelings, and physical and psychological changes caused by the deinfibulation. Moreover, it intended to study the psychosexual functioning of the deinfibulated women compared with a sample of infibulated women that have not undergone deinfibulation. Fifteen infibulated women, immigrated from Somalia to Italy, who have undergone the deinfibulation for obstetrical or gynecological reasons and fifteen infibulated women were recruited. A semi-structured interview and a preliminary Italian adaptation of the Female Sexual Function index were used. Results show that the quality of the sexual life of deinfibulated women after the deinfibulation improved in half of the sample. A significant difference was found between the two groups in the orgasm frequency and intensity. Laboratory data, such as ultrasound scan of pelvic muscle, need to be collected since the present study was entirely based on self-reported data.