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Every time I make a trip to the bathroom, I remember that awful night in Somalia when "I became a woman." The pain I feel as the urine flows is so similar to the pain I felt as my flesh was being sawed right off of my body. The gynecologist at the nearby clinic is so afraid to even look at me. If I mention my pain I'm sure he would pass out. Now that I'm thinking of having a baby, I too am frightened as to whether I'm not too scarred to get pregnant or will I be able to deliver a child through something the size of a sharpened pencil lead. Being circumcised was supposed to make me clean and more loved in my marriage. The scars make me look dirty. My inability to reach a peak during sex often discourages Mark, my American husband. What's so great about this? All it tells me is that a woman's life is destined for pain and scars or there is something wrong with the practices of my people. However, I recently read this article in the New York Times about a Sudanese female doctor who specializes in the aftermath of female genital mutilation. The interviewer asked her had the reconstructive surgery she'd performed in the past been successful. She reported that in the cases where the external lips had been removed new ones were formed and when a small opening was left as a result of the circumcision causing urinary tract infections, pain during intercourse, and pain in discharge she recommended that the stitches be removed. I really had no idea there were doctors who even did this kind of stuff. I mentioned this to my husband and we've decided to make a trip to Boston. Maybe the pain will disappear, I can begin to enjoy sex, and even have a baby! By Jessica, Age 16
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