FGM is a procedure where the female genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed, where there is no medical reason to do this. It’s also known as female circumcision or cutting, and by other terms, such as sunna, gudniin, halalays, tahur, megrez and khita. FGM is usually carried out on girls between infancy and the age of 15, most commonly before puberty starts. It is illegal in the UK. It is very painful and can seriously harm the health of women and girls and can also cause long-term problems in adulthood with sex, childbirth and mental health.