clitoridectomy

/klit'euhr i dek"teuh mee/, n., pl. clitoridectomies.

the excision of the clitoris, usually performed as part of female initiation rites, mainly among certain African peoples, but also sometimes used in various societies to curb sexual desire; female circumcision. Cf. infibulation.

[1865-70; clitorid- (comb. form repr. Gk kleitorís (gen. kleitorídos) CLITORIS) + -ECTOMY]

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or female circumcision or female genital mutilation

Ritual surgical procedure ranging from drawing blood, to removing the clitoris alone, to infibulation or Pharaonic circumcision

removing the external genitals, joining the sides and leaving a small opening.

Now often illegal, it dates to ancient times and purports to guard virginity and reduce sexual desire in traditional societies in many parts of the less-developed world. Infibulation, especially common in Sudan, Somalia, and Nigeria, is usually done by a midwife, often in unhygienic conditions. It may lead to severe bleeding, infection, exquisite pain, and death; if not, urination and sexual intercourse can be painful and menstrual blood may be retained. Women are reinfibulated after childbirth.

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