The Relationship between Female Genital Mutilation and Infertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors

Narges S. Soltani, Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Farahnaz Heshmat, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Mohsen Dehghani, Departments of Epidemiology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Robab L. Roudsari, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran AND Departments of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Mohadese B. Ghalibaf, Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranFollow
Samira E. Zagami, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran AND Departments of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

This systematic review aimed to investigate the relationship between female genital mutilation (FGM) and infertility. Online databases were systematically searched up to January 2024 using MeSH keywords to retrieve relevant observational studies. The methodological quality of the analytical cross-sectional studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated, and a random-effects meta-analysis was used to address any heterogeneity. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was performed. A total of 5 analytical cross-sectional studies involving 37,146 participants, with 3 studies meeting the criteria for the meta-analysis. The results indicated that female circumcision (FC) was linked to a 21% increase in the odds of developing infertility compared to non-circumcision, although this finding was not statistically significant (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 0.98–1.50). Notably, there was no evidence of significant heterogeneity between the studies (P = 0.84 [Q statistics], I2 = 0.0%). While a statistically significant relationship between FGM and infertility was not established, the odds of infertility were higher in the circumcised group. Consequently, it is imperative to prioritise efforts to eradicate FC, especially among young girls.

Publication Date

5-16-2025

First Page

319

Last Page

318

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Soltani, Narges S.; Heshmat, Farahnaz; Dehghani, Mohsen; Roudsari, Robab L.; Ghalibaf, Mohadese B.; and Zagami, Samira E. (2025) "The Relationship between Female Genital Mutilation and Infertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis," Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal: Vol. 25: 319-318.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18295/2075-0528.2839