_What is Circumcision?

Male circumcision is a surgery to remove the prepuce (foreskin), a double-sided sleeve of skin and soft mucosal tissue that completely encloses and protects the glans (the head of the penis). The foreskin provides sensation and lubrication for the penis. In most cases, circumcision is elective surgery, which means there isn't a medical reason for it.

Parents are encouraged to read as much as possible about circumcision. They should make themselves aware of the complexities of the circumcision procedure itself. Speak to your doctor about the step-by-step procedure. If possible, ask to observe a circumcision at your hospital, so that you will know fully what is involved. If that is not possible, you can view videos of the surgery online.

Circumcision Rates Around the World:

• Steep Drop Seen in Circumcisions in U.S
  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/17/health/research/17circ.html
• Infant circumcision rate statistics for most states in the U.S.
  http://www.mgmbill.org/statistics.htm
• Normal versus Circumcised: U.S. Neonatal Male Genital Ratio
  http://www.cirp.org/library/statistics/bollinger2001/ 
• United States Circumcision Incidence
  http://www.cirp.org/library/statistics/USA/
• Circumcision practices in Canada
  http://www.courtchallenge.com/refs/rate1m.html
• Circumcision practices in Canada II
  http://www.courtchallenge.com/refs/stats-cihi-2005-e.html
• Trends in In-Hospital Newborn Male Circumcision (United States) 1999-2010                                                               http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6034a4.htm?s_cid=mm6034a4_w

History of Circumcision:

• History of Circumcision, Medical Conditions, and Sexual Activity and Risk of Penile Cancer
  http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/cancer/maden/
• What were the original motivations behind routine infant circumcision in the West?
  http://www.cirp.org/pages/whycirc.html
  
•  Historical Circumcision Quotes in medical journals by doctors
  http://www.sexuallymutilatedchild.org/shorthis.htm
• Histories of Circumcision in USA, Australia and Britain
  http://www.historyofcircumcision.net/ 
• ICGI Medicalization of Circumcision Slideshow                                                                                                               

        http://www.icgi.org/medicalization/

Medical Authorities on Circumcision:

• A summary of worldwide Medical association position papers
  http://www.nocirc.org/position/  
• Finnish Medical Association's Stance on Circumcision
  http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Legislation%20on%20circumcision%20stalled/1135256085478
• Doctors Opposing Circumcision Genital Integrity Statement
  http://www.doctorsopposingcircumcision.org/pdf/GenitalIntegrityStatement.pdf
  

• American Academy of Pediatrics Circumcision Policy Statement
  http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/pediatrics;103/3/686.pdf

• Book: What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Circumcision (Paperback)
  http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0446678805/ref=sr_1_olp_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1252896640&sr=1-1
• Circumcision of Infant Males
  http://www.racp.edu.au/index.cfm?objectid=65118B16-F145-8B74-236C86100E4E3E8E
• Dr. Sears Stance on Circumcision
  http://www.askdrsears.com/html/1/T012000.asp
• An intact American doctor questions cultural beliefs she was raised with 
  http://www.drcat.org/articles_interviews/html/firstcut.html
• U.S. Research Attorney  Says Circumcision Causes Lifelong Harm
  http://www.prweb.com/releases/2002/06/prweb41148.htm
• Medical Organization Official Policy Statements
  http://www.cirp.org/library/statements/
• Medical Studies on Circumcision
  http://www.circumcision.org/studies.htm
• Memo to Physicians from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan
  http://www.intact.ca/saskmemo.html
  
• Nurses for the Rights of the Child
  http://www.nurses.cirp.org/
• Doctors Opposing Circumcision
  http://www.doctorsopposingcircumcision.org/

Circumcision Myths

Circumcision Myths & Facts (video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wIew1NFQSE&feature=player_embedded

UTIs & Circumcision:

• Cultural Bias and the Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Circumcision Controversy
  http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/UTI/altschul/

• The Diagnosis, Treatment, and Evaluation of the Initial Urinary Tract Infection in Febrile Infants and Young Children
  http://pednephrology.stanf​ord.edu/secure/documents/6​UTIAAPPracticeParameterUTI​.pdf

• Circumcision and Urinary Tract Infection
  http://www.circumstitions.com/Utis.html
• Is the Risk of Urinary Tract Infection Really the Pivotal Issue?
  http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/UTI/chessare/
• How circumcision can CAUSE UTIs
  http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/UTI/
• How the Foreskin Protects Against Urinary Tract Infections
  http://www.drmomma.org/2009/12/how-foreskin-protects-against-uti.html
• Breastfeeding and urinary tract infection
  http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/UTI/pisacane/

HIV & Circumcision:

• Male circumcision: a role in HIV prevention?
  http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/HIV/vincenzi/

• Circumcision does not affect HIV in U.S. men: study
  http://www.reuters.com/art​icle/2007/12/04/us-aids-ci​rcumcision-idUSN0345545120​071204

• Where Circumcision Doesn't Prevent HIV
  http://www.thewholenetwork.org/14/post/2011/08/where-circumcision-doesnt-prevent-hiv.html
  
• Circumcised Children are More Likely to have HIV
  http://www.webmedcentral.com/article_view/2206
  
• Circumcision and HIV infection 
  http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/HIV/
• Circumcision and HIV
  http://www.circumcisionandhiv.com/
• African clinical trials into male circumcision and HIV transmission: Methodological, ethical and legal concerns    http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/23477339/1441224426/name/JLM_boyle_hill.pdf            
  
• How the circumcision solution in Africa will increase HIV infections     
  http://www.publichealthinafrica.org/index.php/jphia/article/view/jphia.2011.e4/html_9?mid=54866
• Flawed Studies Used to Claim Circumcision Reduces HIV Infection                                                        http://www.salem-news.com/articles/december112011/circumcision-hiv-rg.php
• U.S. Navy Finds That Circumcision Does Not Prevent HIV or STIs      
  http://www.thewholenetwork.org/14/post/2011/10/us-navy-finds-that-circumcision-does-not-prevent-hiv-or-stis.html
• New Study: Australia Rejects Circumcision as a Preventative for HIV             
  http://www.thewholenetwork.org/14/post/2011/10/new-study-australia-rejects-circumcision-as-a-preventative-for-hiv.html

STDs & Circumcision:

• Male circumcision and common sexually transmissible diseases in a developed nation setting
  http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/STD/donovan1/
• Clinical Presentation of Genital Warts Among Heterosexual Men Attending an Urban STD Clinic
  http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/STD/cook2/
• Circumcision and Sexually Transmitted Diseases
  http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/STD/cook1/
• Prevalence, Prophylactic Effects, and Sexual Practice |
  http://www.cirp.org/news/1997.04.01_AMA/
• External Genital Human Papillomavirus Prevalence (HPV):
  "Neither condom usage nor circumcision was associated with HPV DNA prevalence."
  http://jid.oxfordjournals.org/content/203/1/58.abstract?sid=8b0e0470-d2bf-4989-b147-bfdd83c72abb

• Circumcision as a Risk Factor for Urethritis in Racial Groups
  http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/STD/smith/
• U.S. Navy Finds That Circumcision Does Not Prevent HIV or STIs 
  http://www.thewholenetwork.org/14/post/2011/10/us-navy-finds-that-circumcision-does-not-prevent-hiv-or-stis.html
  

Cancer & Circumcision:

• The American Cancer Society on circumcision and penile/cervical cancer
  http://www.cirp.org/library/statements/letters/1996-02_ACS/
• Circumcision and Cancer
  http://www.circumstitions.com/Cancer.html
  

• Cancer of the Cervix in Reference to Circumcision and Marital History
  http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/cancer/stern1/

• Cervical Cancer and partners' circumcision status
  http://www.circumstitions.com/Cancer.html#cervical
  

• Neonatal Circumcision [Gomco clamp] 
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXVFFI76ff0
• Pat's Informative Baby Circumcision Site 
  http://geocities.com/painfulquestioning/unnatural
• Methods of Circumcision 
  http://www.circumcisionquotes.com/methods.html
• What Happens During Circumcision?
  http://www.cirp.org/library/procedure/plastibell/
• General Circumcision Description 
  http://www.circumcisionquotes.com/description.html
• Circumcision Video 
  http://www.circumcisionquotes.com/video.html
• Plastibell Circumcision by Dr. Milton Sales
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ra5t0OsmWf0
• Birth As We Know It: Circumcision
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmX6RdRNoqk&feature=player_embedded
• Neonatal Circumcision: Stanford School of Medicine
  http://newborns.stanford.edu/Circumcision.html
• The Surgery: Infant Circumcision 
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDuDhkiDdns&feature=player_embedded

FAQ is currently under construction. Check back soon for updates!

• The Penis - Sex Education 101: Marilyn Milos, R.N., founder of NOCIRC 
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgoTRMKrJo4
• American Academy of Pediatrics on Circumcision
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_dxaM_h1go
• Circumcision Myths & Facts
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wIew1NFQSE&feature=player_embedded
• Mother of 2 Circumcised Sons Researches It for Her Third Son
  http://youtu.be/0u5qoRnxiyk
• Man discusses his own Circumcision
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLVGFF8UKzA
• Ken McGrath, Senior Lecturer in Pathology at the Faculty of Health, Auckland University of Technology and Member of the New Zealand Institute of Medical Laboratory Scientists discusses his research into the neural anatomy of the human penis and the physical damages caused by circumcision.                 
  http://www.youtube.com/user/Bonobo3D?feature=watch#p/u/5/DD2yW7AaZFw
  
• Peter Adler, Esquire, legal advisor to Attorneys for the Rights of the Child (ARC LAW) discusses the events that led to his studying the legal issues around genital cutting of children.                     
  http://www.youtube.com/user/Bonobo3D?feature=watch#p/u/0/qKGMctd4Lak
  
• Zenas Baer, J.D. discusses the events that led him to studying the legal issues around circumcision of children and representing clients harmed by forced circumcision.                                      
  http://www.youtube.com/user/Bonobo3D?feature=watch#p/u/1/zlbY_JI2Acc
  
• John V. Geisheker, J.D., LL.M., Executive Director of Doctors Opposing Circumcision discusses marketing circumcision and the lack of medical ethics in doctors who profit from genital abuse of children. http://www.youtube.com/user/Bonobo3D?feature=watch#p/u/26/zktbJgd217I
  
• Mark D. Reiss, M.D., Executive Vice-President of Doctors Opposing Circumcision (DOC) discusses the bias for cut genitals in a circumcising society, and the sexual benefits of having a complete set.   
  http://www.youtube.com/user/Bonobo3D?feature=watch#p/u/27/ruJ62wHpHuw
  
• Tora Spigner RN MSN discusses personal observations and experiences around infant circumcision that informed her advocacy for genital integrity rights for all children.                                
  http://www.youtube.com/user/Bonobo3D?feature=watch#p/u/60/GQiVdAq-U4s
  
• James L. Snyder, M.D., F.A.C.S., Past President of the Virginia Urological Society discusses the controversy around infant circumcision. Conversation recorded in San Francisco, California July 29, 2010.   
  http://www.youtube.com/user/Bonobo3D#p/u/13/XrcMYq0ASB8
  
• Youtuber Onision sounds off on circumcision "benefits."                                                               
  http://youtu.be/xVZ8g-WB4EQ

Articles, Blogs, and Studies About Circumcision

• Class Action Lawsuit: Circumcised Men Sue & Win
  http://www.drmomma.org/2009/10/class-action-lawsuit-circumcised-men.html
• Ready To Talk About Circumcision
  http://thoughtfulmomma.com/2010/09/09/ready-to-talk-about-circumcision/
• A father's talk with his son about infant circumcision
  http://www.restoringtally.com/blog/2010/03/fathers-talk-his-son-about-infant-circumcision
• 5 reasons parents give for choosing circumcision, and why those reasons are not valid http://iinformedparenting.blogspot.com/2010/09/5-reasons-parents-give-for-choosing.html
• The effect of male circumcision on the sexual enjoyment of the female partner
  http://www.cirp.org/library/anatomy/ohara/
  
• Circumcision - let the debate begin
  http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/baby/baby-health/circumcision--let-the-debate-begin-20090421-adnp.html
• The Fate of the foreskin
  http://www.cirp.org/library/general/gairdner/
• The case against circumcision
  http://www.cirp.org/library/general/warren2/
• The Case Against Circumcision by Paul Fleiss, MD, MPH
  http://www.drmomma.org/2009/11/case-against-circumcision.html
  
• The Vulnerability of Men
  http://www.udonet.com/circumcision/vincent/vulnerability_of_men.html
• Saving Babies Blog                                                                                                                                            http://saving-babies.blogspot.com/
• Moralogous                                                                                                                                                                       http://www.moralogous.com/

Circumcision Resources

• The Whole Network
  http://www.thewholenetwork.org/
• Intact America
  http://www.intactamerica.org/
• Doctors Opposing Circumcision
  http://www.doctorsopposingcircumcision.org/
• Circumcision Information and Resource Pages
  http://www.cirp.org/
• Global Survey of Circumcision Harm                                                                                                    http://www.circumcisionharm.org/                                         
• NOCIRC
  http://www.nocirc.org/
• NORM-UK - National Organization of Restoring Men - United Kingdom
  http://www.norm-uk.org/
• International Coalition for Genital Integrity
  http://www.icgi.org/
• Joseph for Genital Integrity
  http://joseph4gi.blogspot.com/2011/03/who-am-i-why-am-i-so-against.html
• Peaceful Parenting
  http://www.drmomma.org/
• Saving Our Sons http://www.savingsons.org/
• Mothers Against Circumcision
  http://www.mothersagainstcirc.org/
• Circumcision Decision Maker
  http://circumcisiondecisionmaker.com/
• Circumcision Resource Center
  http://www.circumcision.org/
• Attorneys for the Rights of the Child
  http://arclaw.org/
• Nurses for the Rights of the Child
  http://nurses.cirp.org/
• National Organization to Halt the Abuse and Routine Mutilation of Males (NOHARMM)
  http://www.noharmm.org/
• The Male Infant Circumcision Information Site
  http://www.circinfosite.com/
• National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers (NOCIRC)
  http://www.nocirc.org/
• Historical Medical Quotes on Circumcision
  http://circumcisionquotes.com/
• NotJustSkin.org Circumcision FAQ
  http://www.notjustskin.org/node/7
• Circumcision and Penile Care Resources for Birth Care Providers
  http://www.icgi.org/birth_care_providers.htm
• The WHOLE Network Book Store
  http://astore.amazon.com/wholenetwork-20
• Book: Sexual Mutilations: A Human Tragedy
  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0306455897/qid=949813005/sr=1-3/104-9084265-1648457
• Book: Circumcision, The Hidden Trauma : How an American Cultural Practice Affects Infants and Ultimately Us All http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0964489538/qid=949813449/104-9084265-1648457
• Circumstitions
  http://www.circumstitions.com/
• End Routine Infant Circumcision
  http://www.4eric.org/
• Stop Infant Circumcision Society
  http://www.stopinfantcircumcision.org/