ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this article is to summarise the data available in literature on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms [lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)] after female genital mutilation (MSF). METHODS: Our review identified 177 publications, 14 of which were included in the article. RESULTS: With regard to short-term complications, the prevalence of Acute Urinary Retention (RAU) after MSF is estimated between 3% and 12%. With respect to long-term complications, the data is discordant on repeat urinary tract infections (IUR) after MSF with an estimated prevalence between 9% and 39%. The prevalence of LUTS is significantly increased among women having suffered MSF. For example, mixed urinary incontinence is significantly higher in the MSF group with OR 5.17 CI 95% (2.34-12.97). And the more important the MSF is, the higher the LUTS prevalence is. Medical and surgical treatments are empirical and not evaluated. CONCLUSION: Further studies are needed to better characterize and evaluate the prevalence of LUTS after MSF as well as the interest and efficiency of different therapeutics.