Genital modification and genital mutilation both can refer to permanent or temporary changes to the human genitals.

When genital alterations are used for punishment, typically for rape, adultery or other socially forbidden sexual practices, such mutilations have included castration (actual or chemical) or penectomy.

Circumcision

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Issues surrounding female circumcision, also known as female genital mutilation or FGM, became prominent in the English-speaking world in the last quarter of the twentieth century. In the late 20th century, female circumcision is practiced in some African countries and by some groups in the Arabian peninsula. Although infections and deaths have long been known complications for women who underwent the procedure, a 2006 World Health Organization study showed that it is also highly correlated with deaths in childbirth, for both mothers and babies.

In most cases, female circumcision is a social practice, not a religious one. Male circumcision is performed for religious or social reasons or as medical treatment (for phimosis, for example). Some cultures initiate both boys and girls around the age of puberty. In the United States, circumcision is performed on a majority of male infants, according to the wishes of the parents.

Opposition to the routine, non-medical circumcision of infant males has grown over several decades. The World Health Organization, a United Nations agency, currently campaigns against FGM (female genital mutilation) but not against male circumcision. Some studies have shown that male circumcision reduces the risk of certain infections, such as HIV, but these findings have been controversial and disputed.

In 1996 the United States passed a federal law criminalizing circumcision of female minors unless there is a legitimate medical reason.

Elective genital alteration

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In some cases, people elect to have their genitals pierced, tattooed or otherwise altered for aesthetic or other reasons.

Such modifications run the gamut from single to multiple piercings, small decorative marks to complete tattooing, urethral relocation, and, in males, subincision or even complete bisection.

Female genital modification surgery

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Female genital enhancement surgery includes laser resurfacing of the labia to remove wrinkles and clitoral repositioning for those not achieving optimum stimulation as well as labiaplasty and vaginal tightening.

A designer vagina is a cosmetic surgery procedure and the result of that procedure. The procedure is also known as labiaplasty (a reduction of the labia minora, the flaps of skin which form the lips of a woman's genitalia and cover the clitoris and vaginal opening) and vaginal tightening (involving surgery on the interior of the vaginal vault). It is a type of genital modification.

Types of genital alteration

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The alterations listed below may be undertaken voluntarily by some individuals; they may also be performed for medical reasons or performed on infants or adults against their will. Any of these changes may be considered modifications or mutilations.

Removal of tissue

Male

• Circumcision
  • Posthectomy
  • Frenectomy
• Castration
  • Orchidectomy
• Penectomy

Female

• Circumcision
  • Clitoridotomy
  • Clitoridectomy
  • Infibulation
• Labiaplasty

Sex Reassignment

• Penile inversion

Alteration of tissue

Male

• Dorsal slit
• Preputial infibulation
• Preputioplasty ^*
• Genital piercing
• Genital bisection
• Subincision
• Meatotomy
• Autocircumcision ^*
• Surgical foreskin restoration

Female

• Genital piercing
• Episiotomy
• Vagina tightening and toning

Sex Reassignment

• Colovaginoplasty
• Metoidioplasty

Addition to tissue

Male

• Foreskin restoration
• Pearling
• Genital tattooing
• Silicone injection (between the skin of the penis shaft and the tissues that engorge with blood during an erection)

Female

• Genital tattooing
• Labia elongation ^*

Sex Reassignment

• Phalloplasty

See also

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• Bioethics of neonatal circumcision
• Sterilization
• Docking
• Breast ironing

External links

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• "New study shows female genital mutilation exposes women and babies to significant risk at childbirth" - World Health Organization study finds strong correlation between female genital mutilation and higher death rates for women and babies
• "US also practices genital mutilation" - editorial by opponent of male circumcision
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• "Genital Mutilation American Style" - opinion article by opponent of male circumcision.
• Episiotomy: Ritual Genital Mutilation in Western Obstetrics - Information on routine episiotomies
• On Line Body Modification Magazine/Site. Photos, details, history, everything. WARNING - adults only. Very graphic.
• Salon He calls designer vagina surgery "Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation (LVR) to tighten her vagina and enhance sexual gratification and Designer Laser Vaginoplasty (DLV) to aesthetically modify her labia."
• Sydney Morning Herald "Designer vaginas are now on offer" ... "including restoring hymens, vaginal rejuvenation, repairing damage from giving birth, liposuction and labial reconstruction."
• ^* Harvard International Review Article on FGM in Africa
• Rotten Warning: adults only. Graphic site. "The only real difference between these new designer vaginas and more traditional modifications is technology and advertising."
• Guardian "The new nose job: designer vaginas"
• MGMbill.org Proposed legislation to regulate circumcision of boys under the age of 18

Genital modification

Mutilação sexual | Naisten sukupuolielinten silpominen | Könsstympning