What is female genital mutilation?
Female circumcision or female genital mutilation is a tradition in many countries in Africa and some countries in the Middle East and Asia. The procedure is usually performed on girls up to the age of 15.
The most common form of circumcision is total or partial removal of the clitoral glans and/or the prepuce/clitoral hood. In some countries, it is also common to narrow the vaginal opening (infibulation).
All forms of female genital mutilation are prohibited in Norway. The procedure has also been prohibited in most countries where female circumcision is practised.
Medical assistance
If you are circumcised and experience pain or other problems, there are health services available for you to contact to talk about this and seek help:
- Your GP
- The public health nurse at the public health centre and in the school health service
- The midwife at the public health centre in connection with pregnancy
The GP, public health nurse or midwife can refer you to the women's clinic, gynaecology department or children's clinic at a hospital if necessary.
Specialist services
Specialist services with expertise in female circumcision can be found at six hospitals. You can ask for a referral, or you can contact the majority yourself without a referral. You can find a list of these hospitals at the bottom of this page.
Costs and the duty of confidentiality
- Medical assistance is free at public health centres.
- You will need to pay a deductible (user fee) to your GP or the hospital.
- Healthcare professionals have a duty of confidentiality.
Health problems resulting from female circumcision
Female circumcision can lead to a range of long-term problems and complications.
This can include:
- Pain in the genital region
- Pain during intercourse
- Slow and painful urination
- Increased discharge
- Problems in connection with menstruation
- Cysts in the area around the clitoris or pudendal lips
Deinfibulation and other treatment
If you have been circumcised in a way that narrows the vaginal opening, reversal of the narrowing will often help with many symptoms. This is a minor procedure that can be performed under local anaesthesia.
It is a good idea to undergo such a procedure before becoming sexually active. If you are pregnant, reversal of the narrowing is normally recommended during childbirth but the procedure can also be performed during pregnancy.
If you have undergone a different type of circumcision, you can get help with pain and other symptoms.
Contact details for hospitals with specialist services
At the following hospitals, the women’s clinic will provide special services for women who have been circumcised:
Tromsø
University Hospital of North Norway
Contact the Women's Clinic by telephone +47 77 62 64 50
Bergen
Contact the Women's Clinic by telephone +47 55 97 42 36
Trondheim
Contact the Abuse Unit by telephone +47 72 57 12 12
Oslo
Oslo University Hospital Ullevål
Contact the Women's Clinic by telephone +47 22 11 98 44
Drammen
Drammen Hospital - Vestre Viken HF
Telephone +47 32 80 30 00 / 03525
Ask to be put through to the maternity outpatient clinic. They see both pregnant and non-pregnant women.
Kristiansand
Sørlandet Hospital HF, Kristiansand
Contact the Women's Clinic by telephone +47 38 07 30 70
You will require a referral from a GP, health visitor or midwife