The relationship between female genital cutting and sexual problems experienced in the first two months of marriage.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between female genital cutting (FGC) and sexual problems experienced by couples in the first 2 months of marriage ("honeymoon distress").

METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted at centers in Assiut and Sohag, Egypt, between March 1, 2011, and March 31, 2014. Eligible couples presented with sexual problems during the first 2 months of marriage. Couples were interviewed and asked to complete a pre-designed questionnaire, and a genital examination was performed. The primary outcomes of the study were the contribution of FGC to honeymoon distress and the effect of FGC on quality of life.

RESULTS: Overall, 430 couples enrolled in the study. FGC was present in 376 (87.4%) women. The main presenting feature of honeymoon distress was superficial dyspareunia, which affected 291 (77.4%) women with FGC versus 16 (29.6%) of 54 without FGC (hazard ratio 8.13, 95% confidence interval 4.32-15.30). Women with FGC were more likely to have a poor quality of life during the first 2 months of marriage than were those without FGC (279 [74.2%] vs 13 [24.1%]; odds ratio 9.07, 95% confidence interval 4.66-17.64).

CONCLUSION: FGC was found to be a contributing factor to honeymoon distress.