Quick! Where did the thread about the "proven medical benefits" go?? - Page 2

[Fellow Traveler]

Originally Posted by leila1213

Ooh, do you have any links? That would be great if I could say, "see, the same benefits would apply to circ for girls, so you can go ahead and schedule the surgery and either way (boy or girl), you will be covered!"

I don't know if you really want to go there but here is a link that might meet your needs. This is the comparison that Hanny-Lightfool Klein made. For those who don't know her she is a fairly big contributer to the FGM movement. Use it carefully it's not an easy leap to make if you're intent on circumcising a son.

ETA: Check your PMs for something more.

[DocsNemesis]

Yeah, I was joking when I said that....I mean, its true, I just dont know if I'd go there. But when I get mad, I say random stuff without thinking. Thats just me

[leila1213]

Yeah, I don't know if I will go there either. But I was hoping that maybe there would be a "balanced" medical site that lists the "benefits" of FGM out there somewhere (well, not "hoping", but ykwim) in similar fashion as her link. I guess if there is it would probably be in Arabic?

[leila1213]

So I just went ahead and did the Googling for myself:

http://www.themuslimwoman.com/hygien...rcumcision.htm

Here are some of the benefits which have been discovered:

1) A reduction of infections resulting from microbes gathering under the hood of the clitoris.

2) Attacks of herpes and genital ulcers are less severe and less harmful with men and women who have been circumcised.

3) A further benefit that is apparent for women and more so for their husbands, is that women of hot climates often have a large clitoris which arouses their desires when it rubs against the adjacent clothing. It may even grow to such a size that sexual intercourse is not possible. Therefore, circumcision reduces her desires and their effects in the first case, and makes intercourse possible in the second case.

http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/45528

Female circumcision has not been prescribed for no reason, rather there is wisdom behind it and it brings many benefits.

Mentioning some of these benefits, Dr. Haamid al-Ghawaabi says:

The secretions of the labia minora accumulate in uncircumcised women and turn rancid, so they develop an unpleasant odour which may lead to infections of the vagina or urethra. I have seen many cases of sickness caused by the lack of circumcision.

Circumcision reduces excessive sensitivity of the clitoris which may cause it to increase in size to 3 centimeters when aroused, which is very annoying to the husband, especially at the time of intercourse.

Another benefit of circumcision is that it prevents stimulation of the clitoris which makes it grow large in such a manner that it causes pain.

Circumcision prevents spasms of the clitoris which are a kind of inflammation.

Circumcision reduces excessive sexual desire.

And they are quick to refute the negative consequences of FGM by saying:

Then Dr al-Ghawaabi refutes those who claim that female circumcision leads to frigidity by noting:

Frigidity has many causes, and this claim is not based on any sound statistics comparing circumcised women with uncircumcised women, except in the case of Pharaonic circumcision which is where the clitoris is excised completely. This does in fact lead to frigidity but it is contrary to the kind of circumcision enjoined by the Prophet of mercy (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when he said: “Do not destroy” i.e., do not uproot or excise. This alone is evidence that speaks for itself, because medicine at that time knew very little about this sensitive organ (the clitoris) and its nerves.

From Liwa’ al-Islam magazine, issue 8 and 10; article entitled Khitaan al-Banaat (circumcision of girls).

The female gynaecologist Sitt al-Banaat Khaalid says in an article entitled Khitaan al-Banaat Ru’yah Sihhiyyah (Female circumcision from a health point of view):

... If the benefits are not apparent now, they will become known in the future, as has happened with regard to male circumcision – the world now knows its benefits and it has become widespread among all nations despite the opposition of some groups.

Then she mentioned some of the health benefits of female circumcision and said:

It takes away excessive libido from women

It prevents unpleasant odours which result from foul secretions beneath the prepuce.

It reduces the incidence of urinary tract infections

It reduces the incidence of infections of the reproductive system.

In the book on Traditions that affect the health of women and children, which was published by the World Health Organization in 1979 it says:

With regard to the type of female circumcision which involves removal of the prepuce of the clitoris, which is similar to male circumcision, no harmful health effects have been noted.

A little more of a stretch:

http://fgmnetwork.org/news/show_news...ive=&template=

According to ancient folklore, it is alleged that one of the benefits of female circumcision is that during child birth the woman does not go through birth pangs.

Most of the women who undergo female circumcision are said to have easy passage during delivery. They are also adjudged to be hardworking and productive in the farms.

http://haneydaw.myweb.uga.edu/twwh/fgm.html#health

Positive Physical Consequences can include:
Improved cleanliness13
Prevention of vaginal cancer5
Removal of a poisonous organ5,13
Removal of bad genital odors5
Prevention of nervous habits5
Increased beauty5
Increased fertility12,13
Decreased female sex drive, to better match her husband5
Enhances sexuality12
Prevention of sexual neuroses5
Prevention of rape12,13


Positive Psychological Consequences can include:
Acceptance into society2,7,13
Freedom from psychologocial consequences of rejection from society7
Positive feelings from attention, gifts, and celebrations2,7
Eligibility for marriage, considered an important role in society2,7,13
Increased docility7

I hope this won't be construed as a religious discussion, I was just trying to find out about the supposed health benefits of female circumcision.

[DocsNemesis]

Wow, thats a good (if you can call it good, heh) list there. I suppose if I were getting seriously desperate I might throw that out there, lol. It is interesting though, seeing some of the same *benefits* as male circumcision. I'm sure all us intact females are going to run out and get circ'd right now!! I mean come on, cleaning myself in the tub is way too much work and I've totally got too much sex drive....

[leila1213]

Originally Posted by DocsNemesis

Wow, thats a good (if you can call it good, heh) list there. I suppose if I were getting seriously desperate I might throw that out there, lol. It is interesting though, seeing some of the same *benefits* as male circumcision. I'm sure all us intact females are going to run out and get circ'd right now!! I mean come on, cleaning myself in the tub is way too much work and I've totally got too much sex drive....

Yeah, I didn't realize that we needed to "decrease our sex drive in order to match our husbands'" That doesn't describe too many women *I* know.

[leila1213]

I never heard back from her after reading my big long email with links. What should I do?

[l_olive]

You post on the "benefits" of FGM is pure brilliance. Thank you so much for researching that. I think that many minds may be changed with that.

However, it doesn't appear that your friend may be one of them. I would bet that her mind was already completely made up, and she is planning on circing her son -- no matter what you send her.

I'm sorry.

[My*Scorpio]

You could try emailing her - ask if she got the information and if she had any questions.

[leila1213]

Originally Posted by l_olive

You post on the "benefits" of FGM is pure brilliance. Thank you so much for researching that. I think that many minds may be changed with that.

However, it doesn't appear that your friend may be one of them. I would bet that her mind was already completely made up, and she is planning on circing her son -- no matter what you send her.

I'm sorry.

Wow - thanks!

I am losing hope on both of my couples here. Very sad.

[Fellow Traveler]

Originally Posted by leila1213

Wow - thanks!

I am losing hope on both of my couples here. Very sad.

Never loose hope. Sometimes people just need room to think things through it isn't easy realizing that something that is so commonly done to boys isn't in their best interest. So keep trying but you might not want to lean too hard or they might ignore you.

[leila1213]

That's what I'm thinking. This being family, I really need to step back if I want them to give any weight to my words.

[leila1213]

Just to let everyone know, she did end up having a girl (by scheduled c/s 12 days early due to breech, and having difficulties with BFing, but that's another thread!!)... I knew that would be the case, and even told her so at the end of my long email full of research!! Just as well, because I'm guessing they would have circ'ed, since she hasn't said anything to me about what their decision would have been. But thank you for all the help anyway!! I'm sure it will come in handy again soon, because the other cousin's RN wife who already circ'ed once (actually I found out this last one is a PA) is due in October, AND I just found out my sis is 6 weeks pregnant! : But I'm 99% sure my sis won't even consider it, knowing the background on all my natural choices and being onboard with all of them. Her DH might be another story, but he's pretty open-minded. We shall see!

[homeschoolingmama]

Send her the link of the graphic circ video. That might help change her mind.

[leila1213]

She is an L&D nurse. Do you think she hasn't seen a circ before? Can you give me the link? Do you think I will be disowned by the family if it gets out?