About women
My body
In order to understand what cutting means for the female external genitals, it is important to know the natural status.
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Female Anatomy - how a woman looks by nature - please note that graphics are used to show the relevant parts of the body.
The visible sexual organs of the woman are also called external female genitalia or vulva. You may know them by other names, but they are a natural part of the female body, hence, there is no problem in calling them as is.
Every woman's vulva looks slightly different, but just like for any other part of the genitals, this is not important for its functioning.
The vulva includes the outer labia (1). They look like thick skin and protect the vagina, clitoris and urethral opening. The outside is usually covered by hair once the monthly bleeding starts.
The inner labia (2). They also protect the vagina, but don’t have hair and are thinner than the outer labia. They can be smaller or larger than the outer labia.
Also important is the vagina (3) as entrance to the invisible female genital organs. Further openings are the one from the urethra (5) and the anus (6), but they do not belong to the sexual organs, they are just nearby.
The clitoris (4) is a very sensitive organ above the opening of the urethra, where the inner labia (2) come together. Usually, you can only see a small part of the clitoris; the tip is about the size of a pea.
Below the outer tip (1) and inside the body, the clitoris has two long swelling bodies (2), which are much bigger and reach quite far below the outer labia. They swell if the woman is in the mood and desires sex or upon being touched or stroked.
The clitoris makes the penetration of the penis more stimulating for both the woman and the man and is the most important organ for a woman to feel sexual excitement and pleasure.
And there is absolutely no need to change any part of the vulva for its correct functioning, it's just perfect by nature!
If you’re not sure whether you’re cut or not, we recommend visiting one of these pages with tips how to examine yourself. Make yourself comfortable and have a look!
Vaginal Self-Examination (VSE) | Michigan Medicine
Vaginal Self-Exam
The different types of cutting are explained here. If you’re cut, remember the type during your search for more information on this website, because it is important for many topics.
My options
If you are at risk to (again) undergo cutting, to be opened for marriage or closed again after giving birth - or if you want to find out for somebody else -, here are the possibilities regarding protection and healthcare:
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The most important first:
If you are somehow in danger, e.g., at risk to undergo genital cutting, here is what you can do!
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Ideally you call the official emergency helpline at 0800 0116016. It is free of charge, and experts are ready day and night to solve your problem and protect you. They speak many languages and know about genital cutting.
They also know what to do and where to go if you see no choice but to leave your family to protect your body.
If you're an immigrant, you may hesitate to seek help. Can this be a problem for your right to live in Germany? Don’t worry, laws in Germany guarantee protection from genital cutting, regardless of your immigrant status.
Or you still don’t feel confident with the German language and don’t know where to ask for support? Start by talking to someone you trust, a friend, teacher, neighbour, or doctor.
Then it may not be too hard to talk to people you don’t know. Professionals can and want to help you! You'll likely feel relief and receive the support you need.
Use our contact search to look for counselling nearby. It is available for free or low costs from social workers, doctors, youth welfare offices, lawyers and so on.
Make the call when you’re alone or at a safe location, for example a friend's house. Just to be on the safe side, always keep your identity card or passport, some money, and your mobile phone with you.
But use your mobile phone carefully. Don’t let others listen to your calls or see your call and texting history. Make the pin for your mobile phone and the password for your emails and other apps difficult to guess.
Let the experts help you taking the first important steps out of danger!
Protection letters
There are two useful protection letters in many languages. At home or during your visit in your home country, they help to explain that you must not be cut, because your parents can be put to jail in Germany. This happens upon your return if it was done abroad. Check them, download the one that you like best as pdf, and either print it or save it on your mobile device. You can also order it, which is free, but may take a bit.
The official protection letter of the German government is available in Arabic, Amharic, English, Farsi, French, Dari, German, Indonesian, Kurmandschi, Mandinka, Portuguese, Somali, Sorani, Swahili, Tigrinya, and Urdu.
The one from the city of Hamburg is available in German, Amharic, Arabic, English, Dari, Farsi, French, Kurmanci, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Tigrinya, and Zazaki. To order it, write an e-mail to publikationen@soziales.hamburg.de
Everybody who lives in Germany has a right to medical treatment:
Whether you are cut or not, you have a right to medical and psychological treatment if needed.
In Germany, it is totally normal to go to a doctor if you feel pain for example or you have a medical question. You need not be afraid of it!
You’ll find doctors and psychologists in our contact search in the three categories Medical support for women, Medical support for children and teenager and Psychological support.
Doctors only pass on information if you agree. Just if you are less than 18 years old, they are obliged by their profession to protect your health and your right not to be injured. This means that they must try to hinder any cutting of girls.
Even if you don’t have a health insurance, for example because you’re an asylum seeker or accepted as refugee for humanitarian reasons, medical counselling and treatment is free for you. The same is true for psychological support, for example because of stress, sleeping difficulties and so on.
Doctors are ready for you, and there are no stupid questions! Take the first steps, maybe together with someone who knows your problem.
If you are cut and suffer from problems due to the cutting, an operation can possibly help you so that for example
- urine and menstruation blood can flow out easily
- sex doesn’t hurt any longer and may even be real fun
- other pain stops or becomes at least less
- you can give birth to your baby without problems
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If you are cut, the topic of operations is interesting for you!
One type of operation is called re-operation, although it is clear that one cannot bring back what was cut. This operation is always possible and is paid by the health insurance or the social welfare office.
For all types of cutting, the result of the re-operation is that the sensibility in the genital area comes back partially or nearly completely. It depends on how much of the clitoris was removed.
In any case, urinating and the monthly bleeding will not take that long anymore. Sex will no longer hurt, and you can enjoy it. Also other problems like infections for example will become less.
If you were closed, it means that you’ll be opened. Doctors call this defibulation. And there is also the reconstruction. After the operation and the healing, your vulva can look nearly natural. And the existing parts of the clitoris can be made sensible again.
A reconstruction is also paid if you have certain health problems. In addition, there are organisations collecting donations to pay for it.
For all operations, specialists are needed. You find them in our contact search in the category Medical support - operations.
Ideally your family, above all your husband or boyfriend, agrees that you wish to become as natural as possible instead of remaining cut. But most important is your own decision.
Gynaecologists offer advice and know what is possible in your case. Maybe you talk to someone who thinks like you about cutting and jointly set off with the first steps!
If you think an operation is an option for you, the next step is to get advice from an experienced doctor for women. You can find them in our contact search in the category medical support for women.
And take your time for the decision, it's your body!