Pierre Foldès

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Pierre Foldès
Born6 May 1951
Paris
NationalityFrench
Occupationurological surgeon
Known forknown for mitigating damage by FGM
Childrenfive

Pierre Foldès (6 May 1951, Paris) is a French-Hungarian urological surgeon known for developing a surgical method of repairing some of the damage caused by female genital mutilation. [1] [2] He has studied the clitoris after discovering that there had been little academic interest even though there were thousands of studies of the penis.

Contents

Life

Foldès was born on 6 May 1951 in 15th arrondissement of Pari s to Germaine and Georges Foldes. His father was an engineer and he became a doctor even though his family were not keen. He was an enthusiatic violin player and he subsidised his studies by playing music. He obtained his degree in medicine in 1978. His violin playing fell by the wayside as he devoted up to ninety hours per week to medicine. [3]

He discovered the damage caused by female genital mutilation while working in Burkina Faso as a surgeon reparing rectovaginal fistula s which are created by difficult childbirths. [4] He did his first FGM repair in 1984. [3] Foldès could see the damage caused to the labia and clitoris by FGM but he was unaware of the indelying structures of the clitoris. When he went to investigate he found very little in the literature even though there were thousands of academic papers that studied the penis, [3]

He developed the technique in collaboration with the urologist Jean-Antoine Robein,[ citation needed ] of a clitoral restoration surgery. This technique repairs some of the urologic and obstetric problems related to FGC and it may allow the woman to experience more pleasure during sexual stimulation. [4]

Foldès has worked to treat women who have experienced genital mutilation at his clinic. He has operated on 5,000 women since he developed the technique in 1998. He has taught the technique to Ghada Hatem-Gantzer who uses it to operate on a hundred women a year. [4] Foldes' procedure consists of the removal of any scar tissue from the vulva, and of the lowering of the clitoris by cutting ligaments that support it while preserving nerves and blood vessels. [5] Wedge plasty is used to reconstruct a clitoral glans. [6] Months of healing are required for the women to gain more normal sensation in their newly exposed tissue. [7] [8]

Foldès was knighted in 2005 into the French Legion of Honour. [9] In 2006, the book Victoire sur l’excision: Pierre Foldès, le chirurgien qui redonne l’espoir aux femmes mutilées was published, which chronicles the work of Foldès. It won the Prix Essai France Télévisions for 2006, [10] and it was translated into English by Tobe Levin. [11]

He began a collaboration with the gynacolgist Odile Buisson. He surprised her by proposing that they should use ultrasound to study the structure of the g-spot and the clitoris. She was surprised that she had not thought of doing it before. [3] In 2008, they published the first complete 3D sonography of the stimulated clitoris. In 2009 their further research, demonstrated how the erectile tissue of the clitoris surrounds the vagina. They suggested "that the special sensitivity of the lower anterior vaginal wall could be explained by pressure and movement of clitoris's root during a vaginal penetration and subsequent perineal contraction". [12] [13]

In 2012 he opened his own clinic in France. [3]

Foldes is an expert of FGM and his views are cited by policy makers of the European union. [14]

Private life

Foldes has five children. [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clitoris</span> Erectile female sexual organ

In amniotes, the clitoris is a female sex organ. In humans, it is the vulva's most erogenous area and generally the primary anatomical source of female sexual pleasure. The clitoris is a complex structure, and its size and sensitivity can vary. The visible portion, the glans, of the clitoris is typically roughly the size and shape of a pea and is estimated to have at least 8,000 nerve endings.

Clitoridectomy or clitorectomy is the surgical removal, reduction, or partial removal of the clitoris. It is rarely used as a therapeutic medical procedure, such as when cancer has developed in or spread to the clitoris. Commonly, non-medical removal of the clitoris is performed during female genital mutilation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Female genital mutilation</span> Ritual cutting or removal of some or all of the vulva

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is the cutting or removal of some or all of the vulva for non-medical reasons. FGM prevalence varies worldwide, but is majorly present in some countries of Africa, Asia and Middle East, and within their diasporas. As of 2024, UNICEF estimates that worldwide 230 million girls and women had been subjected to one or more types of FGM.

Genital modifications are forms of body modifications applied to the human sexual organs. When there's cutting involved, genital cutting or surgery can be used. The term genital enhancement seem to be generally used for genital modifications that modify the external aspect, the way the patient wants it. The term genital mutilation is used for genital modifications that drastically diminish the recipient's quality of life and result in adverse health outcomes, whether physical or mental.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">G-spot</span> Hypothesized anatomical detail

The G-spot, also called the Gräfenberg spot, is characterized as an erogenous area of the vagina that, when stimulated, may lead to strong sexual arousal, powerful orgasms and potential female ejaculation. It is typically reported to be located 5–8 cm (2–3 in) up the front (anterior) vaginal wall between the vaginal opening and the urethra and is a sensitive area that may be part of the female prostate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clitoral hood</span> Part of the vulva that covers and protects the glans of the clitoris

In female humans and other mammals, the clitoral hood is a fold of skin that surrounds and protects the glans of the clitoris; it also covers the external clitoral shaft, develops as part of the labia minora and is homologous with the foreskin in the male reproductive system. The clitoral hood is composed of mucocutaneous tissues; these tissues are between the mucous membrane and the skin, and they may have immunological importance because they may be a point of entry of mucosal vaccines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Labia</span> Parts of the vulva

The labia are the major externally visible structures of the vulva. In humans and other primates, there are two pairs of labia: the labia majora are large and thick folds of skin that cover the vulva's other parts, while the labia minora are the folds of skin between the outer labia that surround and protect the urethral and vaginal openings, as well as the glans clitoris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Labiaplasty</span> Plastic surgery procedure for altering the labia minora

Labiaplasty is a plastic surgery procedure for creating or altering the labia minora and the labia majora, the folds of skin of the human vulva. It is a type of vulvoplasty. There are two main categories of women seeking cosmetic genital surgery: those with conditions such as intersex, and those with no underlying condition who experience physical discomfort or wish to alter the appearance of their vulvas because they believe they do not fall within a normal range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clitoral erection</span> Physiological phenomenon involving the engorgement of the clitoris

Clitoral erection is a physiological phenomenon where the clitoris becomes enlarged and firm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clitoral hood reduction</span> Cosmetic surgical procedure

Clitoral hood reduction, also termed clitoral hoodectomy, clitoral unhooding, clitoridotomy, or (partial) hoodectomy, is a plastic surgery procedure for reducing the size and the area of the clitoral hood in order to further expose the glans of the clitoris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Religious views on female genital mutilation</span> Female genital mutilation

There is a widespread view among practitioners of female genital mutilation (FGM) that it is a religious requirement, although prevalence rates often vary according to geography and ethnic group. There is an ongoing debate about the extent to which the practice's continuation is influenced by custom, social pressure, lack of health-care information, and the position of women in society. The procedures confer no health benefits and can lead to serious health problems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vulva</span> External genitalia of the female mammal

In mammals, the vulva comprises mostly external, visible structures of the female genitalia leading into the interior of the female reproductive tract, starting at the vaginal opening. For humans, it includes the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibule, urinary meatus, vaginal introitus, hymen, and openings of the vestibular glands. The folds of the outer and inner labia provide a double layer of protection for the vagina. Pelvic floor muscles support the structures of the vulva. Other muscles of the urogenital triangle also give support.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mechanics of human sexuality</span> Biomechanics of human sexual intercourse

The mechanics of human sexuality or mechanics of sex, or more formally the biomechanics of human sexuality, is the study of the mechanics related to human sexual activity. Examples of topics include the biomechanical study of the strength of vaginal tissues and the biomechanics of male erectile function. The mechanics of sex under limit circumstances, such as sexual activity at zero-gravity in outer space, are also being studied.

Genital regeneration encompasses various forms of treatment for genital anomalies. The goal of these treatments is to restore form and function to male and female genitalia by taking advantage of innate responses in the body. In order to do this, doctors have experimented with stem cells and extracellular matrix to provide a framework for regenerating missing structures. More research is needed to successfully move the science from laboratory trials to routine procedures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Female genital mutilation in the United States</span> Occurrence and regulation of FGM in the US

Female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female circumcision or female genital cutting, includes any procedure involving the removal or injury of part or all of the vulva for non-medical reasons. While the practice is most common in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, FGM is also widespread in immigrant communities and metropolitan areas in the United States, and was performed by doctors regularly until the 1980s.

The Prix France Télévisions are annual literary awards in France. Since 1995, the national television broadcaster France Télévisions has awarded two prizes, for a novel and an essay. The judging panel consists of 15 television viewers chosen from across France, on the basis of their cover letters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helen O'Connell (urologist)</span> Australian urologist

Helen Elizabeth O'Connell is an Australian professor of urology and a pioneer in the anatomical study of the clitoris. She is a leading researcher in the area of female pelvic anatomy and was the first woman to complete training as a urologist in Australia.

Clitoroplasty is a type of plastic surgery involving the clitoris. It encompasses several procedures, including clitoral reduction, clitoral reconstruction, and the creation of a neoclitoris in male-to-female gender-affirming surgery. These surgeries aim to retain or restore sensation and function in the clitoris, often employing nerve-sparing techniques.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ghada Hatem-Gantzer</span>

Ghada Hatem-Gantzer born Ghada Hatem is a Lebanese obstetrician and gynecologist living in France. She is known as an advocate of women's rights and for creating the Maison des Femmes in 2016.

Odile Buisson born Odile Poullaouec is a French gynaecologist and writer. She was a co-researcher of sonography that revealed the internal structure of the clitoris.

References

  1. ↑ Le clitoris retrouvé : Le Dr Pierre Foldès répare l'excision - Pan Afrique - Sexualité - Femmes - Excision - Afrique
  2. ↑ Ochieng’ Ogodo (2007-01-07). "Second Chance Against FGM". IslamOnline.net. Retrieved 2007-03-15.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 COAT, Camille VIGOGNE LE. "Pierre Foldès. Architecte du clitoris". Libération (in French). Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  4. 1 2 3 Gross, Rachel E. (2022-03-29). Vagina Obscura: An Anatomical Voyage. W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN   978-1-324-00632-9.
  5. ↑ Admin, FGM Network (2024-05-07). "ACERS-UK Delegates Observe Reconstruction Surgery Procedure at Dr. Pierre Foldes Clinic in France". FGM Network. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  6. ↑ P Foldès (February 2004). "Reconstructive plastic surgery of the clitoris after sexual mutilation". Prog. Urol. (in French). 14 (1). Progres En Urologie, S.A.R.L.: 47–50. PMID   15098751.
  7. ↑ Dr Foldès and the women - Scotsman.com Living
  8. ↑ P Foldès (November 2006). "Surgical Techniques: Reconstructive Surgery of the Clitoris after Ritual Excision". The Journal of Sexual Medicine. 3 (6). Blackwell Synergy: 1091–1094. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2006.00335.x.
  9. ↑ Décret du 31 décembre 2005 portant promotion et nomination , retrieved 2024-11-17
  10. ↑ Hubert Prolongeau (2006). Victoire sur l'excision: Pierre Foldès, le chirurgien qui redonne l'espoir aux femmes mutilées (in French). Paris: A. Michel. ISBN   2-226-16804-4.
  11. ↑ Prolongeau, Hubert. Undoing FGM: Pierre Foldès, the Surgeon Who Restores the Clitoris. Trans. Tobe Levin. Frankfurt am Main: UnCut/Voices Press, 2011. Print.
  12. ↑ See page 98 Archived 2020-12-10 at the Wayback Machine for the 2009 King's College London's findings on the G-spot and page 145 Archived 2016-05-09 at the Wayback Machine for ultrasound/physiological material with regard to the G-spot. Ashton Acton (2012). Issues in Sexuality and Sexual Behavior Research: 2011 Edition. ScholarlyEditions. ISBN   978-1464966873. Archived from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
  13. ↑ Buisson, Odile; Foldès, Pierre (2009). "The clitoral complex: a dynamic sonographic study". The Journal of Sexual Medicine . 6 (5): 1223–31. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01231.x. PMID   19453931. S2CID   5096396.
  14. ↑ "PACE website". assembly.coe.int. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
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