 Instead the WHO state the process is painful and traumatic and interferes with the natural functioning of the body causing several immediate and long-term health consequences such as excessive bleeding, swelling of genital tissue and problems urinating, and severe infections that can lead to shock and in some cases, death, as well as complications in childbirth and increased risk of perinatal deaths.Supporters of FGM have claimed it to be a mere harmless "nick" to the clitoral hood and cannot be compared to other forms of FGM.However the process often carried out on infants may expose nerves making intercourse a painful and unpleasant experience.