FGM/C – care and surgery in Basel
Many women who were cut as girls live with symptoms for years without ever having spoken about it. You can speak about it here. Everything you tell us is covered by medical confidentiality.
- Who it is for
- Women who were cut as girls and live with the consequences
- Appointment
- First conversation without an examination if you prefer; surgery at Bethesda Hospital
- Costs
- Covered by Swiss basic insurance
Confidential, without judgement – advice in German and English.
Advice and surgical treatment after cutting (FGM/C) in Basel: defibulation, treatment of scars and cysts, and clitoral reconstruction where appropriate. Confidential, without judgement. Covered by Swiss basic insurance.
- First consultation without an examination if you prefer
- Consultation and follow-ups: practice at Spalenvorstadt 3, Basel
- Surgery: operating theatre of the Bethesda Hospital Basel, usually as a day case
- Anaesthesia provided by the hospital anaesthesia team
- At least one week between consultation and surgery
- Follow-ups after about one week and after six weeks
- Covered by Swiss basic insurance
- Consultation in German and English
At a glance
Advice, assessment and surgical treatment after female genital cutting (FGM/C). Consultations and follow-ups take place at the practice at Spalenvorstadt 3; surgery is performed in the operating theatre of the Bethesda Hospital in Basel by Dr. med. Anna Margareta Wagner, specialist in gynaecology and obstetrics FMH.
Concern
When an appointment makes sense
You are in the right place if you know any of these
passing urine takes a long time, burns or is only possible drop by drop. Menstruation is obstructed, very painful or unusually long. Intercourse is painful or not possible.
Also
recurring bladder or vaginal infections, a palpable swelling or cyst in the scar area, an existing or planned pregnancy with questions about birth – or simply wanting to know what was done to you and what the options are.
It is expressly fine to come only to talk. An examination does not have to take place at the first appointment.
Treatment
What is surgically possible
All procedures take place in the operating theatre of the Bethesda Hospital in Basel, usually as a day case – you go home the same day. You are operated on by Dr. Wagner, the same doctor who advises you. Anaesthesia is provided by the hospital team; which form suits you is discussed there beforehand.
- 01Defibulation: opening the closing scar tissue, exposing the urethral opening and vaginal entrance
- 02Treatment of epidermoid cysts, painful scar bands and neuromas during the same procedure
- 03Where anatomically possible and appropriate for you: exposing and repositioning deeper clitoral tissue
- 04Without surgery: understanding your own anatomy, pelvic floor therapy, treatment of infections and dryness, pain management, sexual or psychological support
Who it's for
What we do not offer
- No reinfibulation and no re-closure, under any circumstances
- No cutting, in any form and at any age
- No certificates about virginity or physical integrity for third parties
- No information to relatives without your consent
- No video consultations – advice and follow-ups take place in person at the practice
Language and attitude
How we talk about this here
Swiss law and medical terminology speak of female genital mutilation, internationally FGM/C. Many affected women say «cutting» themselves. Both terms appear on this page. We use the term that feels right to you.
You will not be judged here – neither you nor your family. Your information is confidential and covered by medical confidentiality.
We advise in German and English. If you speak neither, please bring someone who can translate for you. The practice does not organise interpreting. If you have no one, or do not wish to speak in front of relatives, the Basel counselling centre against female genital cutting advises free of charge, confidentially and with translation on request.
Background
What happens during cutting
The WHO distinguishes four forms:
Which type is present can be reliably determined by a gentle examination.
Importantly
most of the clitoris consists of tissue that lies inside the body. Even if nothing is visible externally, considerably more of it is usually present than women assume.
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Type I | Removal of the clitoral hood and/or the visible part of the clitoris. |
| Type II | Additionally removal of the labia minora, sometimes also the labia majora. |
| Type III | Infibulation – the vaginal entrance is closed except for a small opening. |
| Type IV | All other procedures, such as pricking, incising or cauterising. |
Reconstruction
What honesty requires
The scientific evidence on sexual sensation after reconstruction is limited. Improvements are possible, but so are absent effects, new or persistent pain, and increased or reduced sensitivity. A sensation «as if there had been no cutting» cannot be created.
Realistic goal setting and, where useful, sexual medicine counselling are therefore part of the preparation. We decide together and never at the first appointment.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy and birth
If you wish to have children or are pregnant, please raise this early. Defibulation can be performed before pregnancy, during pregnancy or during birth. We determine the right timing individually with you and, where relevant, with the birth team.
We document the findings so that the birth team is prepared – you do not have to tell the story again in the delivery room.
We do not perform re-closure after birth (reinfibulation). It is not permitted in Switzerland.
Law
The legal situation in Switzerland
Female genital cutting has been explicitly punishable in Switzerland since 2012 (Art. 124 SCC), including when carried out abroad.
For you as an affected woman this explicitly means
you are not committing an offence. The law targets those who perform or arrange cutting. Your treatment here is medical care like any other.
If there are concrete indications that a minor girl is at risk, we clarify the necessary protective measures together with you within the applicable legal framework. If this is exactly your concern, it is a good reason to talk to us or to a counselling centre.
Costs
Covered by insurance, not an aesthetic question
Symptoms after cutting are an illness, not an aesthetic question. For women with Swiss basic insurance, consultation, assessment, surgery and follow-ups are billed through basic insurance. Deductible and co-payment apply as with any other treatment. Supplementary insurance is not required.
If you are not insured in Switzerland, please tell us at the first appointment – we will then inform you about the costs in writing in advance.
Risks & aftercare
What can happen
Any procedure can bleed, become infected or form scars. After defibulation, the direction and strength of the urine stream may feel unfamiliar at first.
After a reconstruction, temporarily or persistently altered sensitivity, numbness or wound healing problems can occur. A state before cutting cannot be restored.
Counselling centres
You do not have to start with us
These centres advise free of charge and confidentially, anonymously and with interpreting on request: Counselling centre of both Basel against female genital cutting (Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft). Network against female genital cutting Switzerland, national contact point: maedchenbeschneidung.ch. University Hospital Basel, Gynaecological Social Medicine and Psychosomatics.
Related topics
Process
How it works
You set the pace – every step happens only when you want it to.
Appointment at the practice, Spalenvorstadt 3, 4051 Basel – by phone on 061 666 62 10 or online. As a first conversation without an examination if you wish.
- Step 01
I · Appointment at the practice
Spalenvorstadt 3, Basel – by phone or online. As a first conversation without an examination if you wish.
- Step 02
II · Examination and findings
A gentle examination reliably clarifies which type is present. The findings are explained to you in plain language.
- Step 03
III · Time to think
At least one week between consultation and surgery. A reconstruction is never decided at the first appointment.
- Step 04
IV · Surgery at the Bethesda Hospital
In the operating theatre, usually as a day case, with the anaesthesia team on site. Dr. Wagner performs the surgery.
- Step 05
V · Follow-ups at the practice
After about one week and after six weeks.
One appointment. One main concern. So we can give you our full, unhurried attention, we address one main topic per appointment. We're happy to schedule additional or complex questions in a separate appointment. This is what allows consultations to run on time and without long waiting times – thank you for your understanding.
Frequently asked questions
What patients often ask.
Medically reviewed by Dr. med. Anna Margareta Wagner
Board-certified specialist (FMH) in Gynaecology and Obstetrics, specialising in intimate surgery, ultrasound diagnostics and individual women's health.
Last medically reviewed:
Sources & associations
Leave a short note – we will call you back.
Two minutes, four questions. For prescriptions, reports or administrative matters there is a separate form – no appointment needed.
Send your details – I will get back to you.
Vertraulich. A detailed personal consultation always takes place before any treatment.
Book your appointment online.
Online via Doctena or by phone at +41 61 666 62 10.
Emergency: For acute, severe symptoms outside office hours, call the medical emergency line 144 or go to the emergency department of the University Hospital Basel.
Medical notice: The content of this page is for general information only and does not replace personal medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Measures are discussed individually during the consultation and are based on medical history, examination and current guidelines.
Privacy: Doctena's privacy policy applies to online bookings made via Doctena. Practice-internal data is processed in accordance with the Swiss Data Protection Act (DSG).