The health of the baby is also at risk. A lack of oxygen, caused by the incredibly small vaginal opening and birth canal common in infibulated women, can cause brain damage in the child or, even worse, death. Infibulation can disrupt other bodily processes as well. Because the vaginal orifice in an infibulated woman is so small, it makes the passing of menstrual fluids painfully difficult, if not impossible. The period of an infibulated woman can last for ten days or more.
Blood can also begin accumulating in the uterus, a serious condition known as hematocolpos.
Hematocolpos can lead to infertility. Accumulation of vaginal discharge can also occur, and cause infection. Despite all the risks associated with infibulation, many women choose to be re-infibulated after the birth of a child. Women who have been re-infibulated many times are more likely to suffer from incontinence later on in life. Other risks for women who have undergone FGM include recurrent urinary tract infections, keloid scarring, persistent wound infection, recurrent vaginitis, dermoid cysts and dyspareunia.