Two world organisations have criticised the "medicalisation" of female genital mutilation.
The World Medical Association (WMA) and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) issued the condemnation to mark the international day of Zero Tolerance to FGM, February 6.
Death is the most extreme result of the mutilation, said Professor Gamal I Serour, President of FIGO. Others include haemorrhage, tetanus, sepsis, recurrent urinary tract infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and increased complications of subsequent pregnancy and childbirth.
The World Health Organisation reported a small drop in FGM in recent years, said Professor Serour. The average age of performing FGM also fell, but there was a rise in the proportion of FGM on girls under five.
And the practice is increasingly carried out by health professionals, it was reported.
Dr Dana Hanson, President of the WMA, said: "The medicalisation of FGM is a matter of deep concern for us. It blatantly infringes the code of medical ethics. We would like to see physicians and medical associations taking a more robust stand against these harmful and degrading treatments."
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