The gentlebirth.org website is provided courtesy of
Ronnie Falcao, LM MS, a homebirth midwife in Mountain View, CA

Circumcision or Male Genital Mutilation

See also:

• Birth Trauma

Subsections on this page:

• Circumcision Hampers Breastfeeding
• General
• Recent Papers on Circumcision
• Circumcision Complications
• Birth Professionals and Circumcision
• Responding to an Invitation to Attend a Ritual Circumcision/Bris or Brit
• An OB Comments on the Pain of Circumcision
• Circumcision and Religious Issues
• Circumcision and Sexual Satisfaction
• Care of the Intact Penis

Circumcision Hampers Breastfeeding

Circumcision Leads to Breastfeeding Complications

Some of the infants observed in one study were supplemented with formula after circumcision—due either to frustration on the part of the mother from failed breastfeeding attempts or because doctors felt the infant was incapable of postoperative breastfeeding. Because infants usually leave the hospital seven to ten hours after the operation (many leave as early as three to six hours post-op) the long-term negative effects of circumcision on breastfeeding is more difficult to determine; however, "the observed deterioration in ability to breastfeed may potentially contribute to breastfeeding failure."

Despite the fact that "circumcision is a painful, stressful, exhausting, and traumatic experience for many infants," as many as 45% of doctors ignore the recommendation by medical authorities to use an anesthetic during the procedure. Because conclusive benefits of infant circumcision are not evident, there is no danger in refusing or delaying the procedure. The Work Group on Breastfeeding of the American Academy of Pediatrics officially discourages "stressful procedures" such as circumcision and promotes breastfeeding as "primary in achieving optimal infant and child health, growth, and development."

Source: Journal of Human Lactation 19(1), 2003.

Other articles about circumcision and breastfeeding

Circumcision - by Marian Tompson, co-founder of La Leche League

Circumcision vs. Breastfeeding - downloadable pamphlet

 "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" - an excerpt on circumcision

Circumcision Leads to Breastfeeding Complications - Mothering Magazine

Breastfeeding saves babies' lives, and circumcision interferes with breastfeeding.  Thus, circumcision is responsible for many deaths each year by interfering with the breastfeeding relationship:

Position Statement: The Effects of Circumcision on Breastfeeding (from NOCIRC)

Breastfeeding and the risk of postneonatal death in the United States.
Chen A, Rogan WJ.
Pediatrics. 2004 May;113(5):e435-9.

In addition to its many known bonding and health benefits, breastfeeding appears to lower the risk of a baby dying during its first year of life, US research indicates.  As many as 720 babies die each year because they weren't breastfed, and about 300 of those can be attributed to circumcision.

General

International Coalition for Genital Integrity

A comprehensive informed consent about circumcision - Full Disclosure: Circumcision Information for Health Professionals and Parents (6 pages) To make an informed choice, parents of all male infants should be given accurate and unbiased information. This document portrays all known issues dealing with infant circumcision including, its benefits, risks and disadvantages.

Mothering Magazine has some circumcision articles online.

A series of articles from mothersagainstcirc.org, including:

The Circumcision Decision: An Overview by Mary G. Ray,©1998

The Case Against Circumcision by Paul M. Fleiss, MD

Circumcision links from BirthLove

In Memory of the Sexually Mutilated Child

Counseling Couples in Disagreement About Circumcision:  A Jewish Perspective
Laurie Evans, M.A.
Journal of Prenatal & Perinatal Psychology & Health, 2002 Fall; 17(1):85-94

APPPAH maintains online abstracts.

Weblog for Forced Genital Cutting Survivors -  Project: OUCH! This is a collection of first hand accounts told by victims, survivors, and participants of forced genital cuttings including stories of male infant circumcisions, female genital mutilations, and gender-norming surgeries.

blOUCH! is for the benefit of:
Anyone genitally traumatized, injured, scarred, tortured, sexually deprived, or mutilated.
Anyone forcibly cut in a medical, cultural, religious, or ritual genital cutting.
Men who were circumcised against their will, even if as an infant.
Women who were genitally cut against their will.
Intersexed who were forced to undergo gender norming surgery.
Anyone with an early recollection that may be from a genital cutting.
Parents who regret having cut their children.
Anyone traumatized by witnessing, participating in, or intervening with a forced genital cutting.
Anyone in relationship with someone described above.

dear mamma by Melissa M. Harden - about natural parenting for the first year, with a strong emphasis on keeping male babies intact.

"The foreskin is NOT a birth defect!"  There's an exciting new public awareness campaign - Billboards Across America - organized by NOCIRC.  You can donate towards renting billboards.

Circumcision and Penile Care Resources for Birth Care Providers

Many expectant parents have questions about circumcision and proper foreskin care of their baby boy.  Over the past twenty years, more research has been done on circumcision, including its immediate and lifelong effects. Parents circumcise less as they learn more. Almost half of American boys, and most Canadian boys, leave the hospital intact, and the number of intact boys is rapidly increasing.

We have compiled a list of educational resources - pamphlets to download, videotapes to watch, and websites to visit. You will find information including medical recommendations regarding circumcision; how circumcision impacts breastfeeding and what La Leche League's founder wrote about it; how circumcision affects lovemaking; discussions about Christian, Catholic, and Jewish points of view; information about adult foreskin restoration; infant foreskin care; and much more.  In addition, we have included information on female genital cutting and resources for parents when a child is born intersexed.

There's a new book, Doctors Re-examine Circumcision.

Circumcised Men Less Likely to Transmit Chlamydia Trachomatis

Female sexual partners of circumcised men are less likely to contract Chlamydia trachomatis infections than are those of uncircumcised men, a
multinational team of investigators report.

Chlamydia trachomatis infection in female partners of circumcised and uncircumcised adult men.
Castellsague X, Peeling RW, Franceschi S, de Sanjose S, Smith JS, Albero G, Diaz M, Herrero R, Munoz N, Bosch FX; IARC Multicenter Cervical Cancer Study Group.
Am J Epidemiol. 2005 Nov 1;162(9):907-16. Epub 2005 Sep 21.

Direction for future inquiry - what would be the effect of amputation of the entire glans?  I'm guessing this would have even more significant effects in reducing the infection rates of many sexually transmitted infections in their female partners.  What the heck . . . Why not just cut off the entire penis, which would eliminate penile cancer in our lifetimes!

And while we're at it, how about routine amputation of breast tissue for all female babies.  This will significantly reduce, if not completely eliminate, breast cancer.

You really have to wonder about any line of inquiry that encourages amputation of healthy tissue.  Why stop with primary or secondary sexual organs?  Think about the primary vector for colds and flus . . . the most recent research shows that these germs are usually transmitted by the hands to the eyes/nose/mouth.  What if we cut off the hands?  That would really cut down on transmission of colds and flus.  This might even be the key to preventing a pandemic of avian flu.

This line of inquiry arises from ignorance about the function of the foreskin in sexual arousal, stimulation and satisfaction.  How can it make more sense to cut off part of the body than to use a condom?

The Prepuce - a new film by Doctors Opposing Circumcision; it's meant for medical students but is good public education as well.

(WMP, streaming) http:

(WMP, download) http:

Circumcision FAQ from notjustskin.org

Study shows circumcision may reduce AIDS risk

I grew up in the province where they did this study. It made me so angry reading about it. More prejudiced scientists making assumption and conducting a study on a (probably) disenfranchised population. I wonder if they even gave adequate informed consent.

I also like to remind people that prophylactic double mastectomy reduces breast cancer rates to almost zero, but I don't see people rushing to do them on newborns.  Having all your teeth removed prevents worries about tooth decay and gum disease, too.  Basically, people need to be helped to learn basic skills for good hygiene.

In response to good arguments that Circumcision is a "nice" phrase that doesn't rightly describe the practice, I have added the phrase, "Male Genital Mutilation" to the title of this web page.  I also maintain some information about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

I had trouble finding pamphlets I could provide my clients to educate them about circumcision.  Some were kind of tucked away in the back pages of NOHARMM  - Order Form for NOHARMM Resources

Intactivism -   If tradition called for your healthy baby girl to be altered in such a manner, would you consent to surgery?

This nurse withdrew from nursing school after observing a circumcision and questioning the medical model that perpetuates newborn mutilation.

This homepage is primarily dedicated to non-violence, and includes a focus on male and female circumcision, especially in the Arab countries.  Written by Fr. Raed Abu-Sahlieh and his brother Dr.Sami Aldeeb.

Dr. Dean Edell's educational Web pages about circumcision, in response to the American Academy of Pediatrics' New Circumcision Policy, as of March 1, 1999.

"Circumcision is not essential to a child’s well-being at birth, even though it does have some potential medical benefits.  These benefits are not compelling enough to warrant the AAP to recommend routine newborn circumcision."

Circumcision Resource Center

Circumcision Information and Resource Pages

Mothers Against Circumcision

Should Our Baby Be Circumcised?  - from "The Marnie Ko Collection" on Nurturing Online 

The aesthetics of the foreskin : Victor Doiteau, M.D from the French site - Association contre la Mutilation des Enfants

33 Photographs of  The Intact Adult Male Foreskin  By John A. Erickson from foreskin.org

There is also a FAQ available from misc.kids which lists reasons for or against circumcision.

C.I.R.C. is an organization fighting genital mutilation for both genders. C.I.R.C. of Washington, P. O. Box 75594, Seattle, WA 98125.

Declaration of the 1st International Symposium on Circumcision

Lots of circumcision articles from P e a c e f u l   B e g i n n i n g s (scroll down about halfway)

Circumcision, Baseball, Mom and Apple Pie by Donald Morgan

Overview of Circumcision Issues - [This treatise is temporarily unavailable pending a re-appearance on Don Morgan's own web site.]

http:
http:
http:
http:

Attorneys for the Rights of the Child is a non-profit organization founded to secure equal protection for, and broaden judicial and public recognition of, children’s legal and human rights to bodily integrity and self-determination.

NOHARMM - National Organization to Halt the Abuse and Routine Mutilation of Males - Advocating Against Male Genital Mutilation

Contact Ron Goldman, CRC, POB232, Boston, MA 02133 (617)523-0088 or 617-566-1430 Call NOCIRC and ask for the nearest resource or contact person. The number is (415) 488-9883.

Ted Ledbetter <tedled@earthlink.net> wrote:
MEMORANDUM
TO: All Mothers Eveywhere
FROM:Every Newborn Son
SUJECT: Circumcision

Do NOT do it to me.  Please!  Never!

1)It Hurts Like Hell!
2)Every part of me is God-given and no man or woman has the right to it take away without my informed consent!
3)It's NOT a health issue any more than preventing breast-cancer by cutting off the breasts of newborn girls Aren't you glad no one to cut off any part of you when you were born?  (Even if they did, don't do it to me.)
4)Don't ever believe any man who says he's glad it happened to him...what else can he say without disrespecting the one who brought him into this world?
5)see #1

NOCIRC-National Organization of Circ. Info. and Resource Centers

CIRP-Circ. Info. and Resource Page

Circumcision- the Real Truth

Circumcision: A Medical or a Human Rights Issue?

Recent Papers on Circumcision

Canadian Journal Reviews Studies on Circumcision

Critique of Canadian Journal Reviews Studies on Circumcision

Circumcising baby boys 'criminal assault'
Ethicist says society must consider ban Friday 17 October 1997, Sharon Kirkey, The Ottawa Citizen

Kaiser Foundation Research Institute in Oakland, California, says routine circumcision can significantly reduce the risk of urinary tract infection, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including HIV, and penile cancer.

Ed Schoen is a well-known circumcisionist whose rantings have been largely dismissed by every medical association in the industrialized world. Not only is his opinion biased it's also untrue, as the latest study reported in the NEJM shows an INCREASE in STDs, particularly chlamydia, in circumcised men. Oh and least we forget Schoen's atrocious poetry he loves to write on the subject of what penes (penis-es) look like? The man has a serious problem.

Much as prophylactic mastectomy would prevent breast cancer??

On what studies are these claims based? The risk of penile cancer is as great as the risk of death from circumcision.

The studies that I reviewed that claimed correlation between intact status and STD's, UTI's, and other "penile problems" were methodologically weak and not without significant bias.

Be careful what you counsel your clients on if you haven't read the research for yourself.

sighing and shaking my head that we are so arrogant to think that we can improve upon nature.

The first is the long awaited appearance in the British Journal of Urology (1) of the John R. Taylor article: The prepuce: Specialized mucosa of the penis and its loss to circumcision. This article discusses anatomy and histology.

The second is the appearance in the British Medical Journal (2) of an important letter from John Warren et Al. regarding the circumcision of children.

The letter says, "It cannot be ethical for a doctor to amputate normal tissue from a normal child."

References:

1. Taylor JR, Lockwood AP, Taylor AJ; The prepuce: specialized mucosa of the penis and its loss to circumcision. British Journal of Urology (1996), 77, 291-295

2. Warren J et al., Letter: Circumcision of Children, British Medical Journal Volume 312, 377, 10 February 1996

Circumcision Complications

The circumcision wound portal-of-entry can allow the development of severe infections:

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. A complication of circumcision. [Full text of case reports] [Related Articles]
Annunziato D, Goldblum LM.
Am J Dis Child. 1978 Dec;132(12):1187-8.

Numerous complications have been reported as a result of neonatal circumcision. We describe here three cases of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome that were thought to be due to infected circumcisions. A review of the literature failed to disclose descriptions of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome as such a complication. In spite of recent American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations against routine circumcision, it will continue to be a common procedure. Careful preoperative and postoperative screening and guidance are urged to prevent staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome and other complications.

Neonatal staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome: massive outbreak due to an unusual phage type. [Full text] [Related Articles]
Curran JP, Al-Salihi FL.
Pediatrics. 1980 Aug;66(2):285-90.

A massive outbreak of the staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome due to an organism with an unusual phage pattern, occurred during a 115-day period and involved 68 newborns. Generalized exfoliative dermatitis was seen in 24 babies, and Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 23. Fourteen isolates were phage typed, with 13 reported as the epidemic strain 29/79/80/3A/3C/54/75. Eight babies had generalized scarlatiniform eruption without exfoliation (staphylococcal scarlet fever). Cultural data were available from six, all positive for S aureus. Four organisms were typed and reported as the epidemic strain. Of 34 infants with bullous impetigo 20 had cultures that were positive for S aureus, and four were phage typed, revealing the epidemic strain. Illness was mild in all patients; there were no deaths and no invasive forms of staphylococcal infection. The male to female ratio of generalized exfoliative disease was 5:1. The concept of a neonatal staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, comprised of a triad of skin disorders induced by an exotoxin elaborated by certain strains of coagulase positive S aureus, is confirmed.

Impetigo in newborn infants associated with a plastic bell clamp circumcision. [Full text] [Related Articles]
Stranko J, Ryan ME, Bowman AM.
Pediatr Infect Dis. 1986 Sep-Oct;5(5):597-9.

Postcircumcision urinary tract infection.
Cohen HA, Drucker MM, Vainer S, Ashkenasi A, Amir J, Frydman M, Varsano I.
Clin Pediatr (Phila). 1992 Jun;31(6):322-4.

The possible association of urinary tract infection (UTI) with ritual circumcision on the eighth day of life was studied by analyzing the epidemiology of urinary tract infections during the first year of life in 169 children with UTI (56 males and 113 females) born in Israel from 1979 to 1984. Forty-eight percent of the episodes of UTI occurring in males appeared during the 12 days following circumcision, and the increased incidence during that period was highly significant. The median age of the males at the time of the UTI was 16 days, compared with seven months in females. Ritual Jewish circumcision as practiced in Israel may be a predisposing factor for UTI during the 12-day period following that procedure.

Birth Professionals and Circumcision

Doctors Opposing Circumcision (D.O.C.)

Nurses for the Rights of the Child

Nurses Refuse to Participate in Circumcision

Doula Advocates Against Circumcision

Responding to an Invitation to Attend a Ritual Circumcision/Bris or Brit

I have been invited several times by parents to attend the (religious) circumcision of their baby.  I accepted the first invitation and it was a very difficult experience for me, because I felt that I was witnessing an act of harm (though not intended) which I could not support.  The next two times I was invited, I told the parents that I had another obligation that day and was not able to attend.  I felt bad for being untruthful. I know that it is a very meaningful event for the parents and that it is an honor for me to be included with the family.  What have others done in this situation?

I have also faced this dilemma.

As much as I want to avoid ruffling feathers and hurting feelings, I think that worrying about hurting the feelings of someone who is about to do physical harm to their child is setting the wrong priority. (This ignores the issue of whether it's "bad for business.")

This has happened only a few times, but when I've been invited to a bris, I ask if it's going to be a symbolic ceremony or if they are really going to amputate the foreskin.  (There's a group of Jewish people who advocate doing a non-amputation ceremony.)

If they're actually going to cut the baby, I explain that after putting so much energy into working towards a safe, gentle birth for this baby, I can't stand by and watch them cut him.

I once had a Jewish homebirth client who actually changed her mind about circumcision.

But even if it doesn't change anyone's mind, my conscience will be clear that I did what I could to try to preserve genital integrity for this baby.

I sincerely hope that the day will come when nobody would ever think to invite me to watch them amputate healthy tissue from their newborn baby.

An OB Comments on the Pain of Circumcision

I usually notice the first blood curdling scream when the nurse straps the little guy's legs down on the circumstraint. (Does that come from the restraint or fear of his circumcision?)

I always thought the worst cry came with the cold betadine wash.

Regarding risk of injury to the penis with a block; those reports are using lidocaine with epi. When I was taught and when I teach residents/interns and colleagues how to do this block - the emphasis is to always use plain lidocaine. I don't know of any reason plain lidocaine would cause distal injury. There is no vascular spasm even with intravascular injection. And, after you do a few circs with local block and see the difference in the baby's behavior, you will never again do it without a block. During the injection, I use a 30 gauge needle, inject very slowly and only 0.2 cc (1% lidocaine) at 10-11 and 1-2 o'clock. Some babies barely respond to the block itself; some cry a little, but nothing like the blood curdling scream you get with the circ and no anesthesia.

[and a parent and nurse comment on pain]

our son was born in a hosp and needed to stay 5 days for observation. we opted instead to bring sage into the hosp every day to get checked. during that time, we were present for a handful of circumcisions. this guy (looked and dressed like capt. kangaroo) came into the nursery and did it right there. at least he had the courtesy of closing the window blinds first. my husband and son and I were in the nursery, in a closed room waiting to see the pede each day. the first time there was a circ, the piercing cries and screams of the baby made us all cry. we were not able to watch but the sounds were heartbreaking and haunting. the next time we requested a radio to block out the cries of the baby but that baby did little more than squeak after the initial screaming and before it was over the baby was red faced and obviously terrified. his mouth was open but no sound came out. all we could do each day was hold our son tightly and gape at each other. there is no way I would ever subject any child of mine to such horror and pain. I could not imagine doing that after carrying him in my body for nearly a year, loving and nurturing him in every way. his penis is his and not mine. my children are gifts to me and I took care to grow them as well as I could in order to give them bodies and minds that will serve them perfectly for the length of their lives. I cannot justify altering them because of my opinion of how they should look.

Your description is very accurate. I have assisted with about 200 and I have seen sleeping babies not wake up as I gently strapped them to the table. One even slept through the betadine and that is cold stuff. So it is not the restriction that is the problem. They take a metal probe - similar to the one the dental hygienist scales teeth with - and separate the foreskin from the glans. Babies scream so hard that they end up with their faces red and mouths wide open with no sound coming out. I had to hold their heads to the side because some vomit from the pain. I always had to get close to their faces and stroke their cheeks because they would stop breathing. The doc puts a bell over the foreskin and slides a sterile safety pin through a hole and then through the skin. He cuts with a blade for what seems like an eternity for this baby and deposits the skin o the sterile tray. The penis is RAW - I often thought it must feel like a 3rd degree burn with alcohol being poored over it.

Consoling is impossible. They shake and their eyes are wide open with panic. Yes, I felt horrible every time. I never got used to it. Each procedure looked as barbaric as the next. Many too much skin was taken off or too little (not worth all that torture). I have seen infections, too. The risk of any invasive procedure even with sterile fields.

I get calls from moms who had no problems with breastfeeding and suddenly have trouble. If it is a baby boy, I try to remember to ask when and if he was circumcised. Many of my consults are a result of trauma from the circs. The babies state of homeostasis is so messed up from the stress that they are no longer able to suck. Every IBCLC (lactation consultants) that I know will tell you how circumcision is a major source of feeding problems in the days following.

It is simple. If I had not seen circumcisions in person I would have done it. Even after all those circs - I thought I would do it except with anesthetic. I thought there was a health benefit and it was pleasing to me aesthetically (now I think intact is more pleasing to the eye - my husband even wants his back!) When we decided to research the topic when I was actually pregnant - we also learned of the functions of the foreskin and the health benefits. It was enlightening. Two weeks after my son's birth we made our final decision. We took our time - we were pretty objective and we are both very capable of determining the validity of studies. It doesn't take a person well versed in statistics to read the information anyway. Reviewing the evolution and history of circumcision, studying the function of the foreskin and witnessing at least one is enough to cure ANYONE of believing in the procedure. I am sorry you had to see that in the nursery. I can still feel it in my stomach.

Circumcision and Religious Issues

Jews Against Circumcision

Brit Shalom Celebrants - Brit Shalom is a non-cutting naming ceremony which replaces Brit Milah (ritual circumcision) for newborn Jewish boys.

Circumcision and Religion from NOCIRC

Counseling Couples in Disagreement About Circumcision:  A Jewish Perspective
Laurie Evans, M.A.
Journal of Prenatal & Perinatal Psychology & Health, 2002 Fall; 17(1):85-94

APPPAH maintains online abstracts.

From the British Medical Journal:

Maimonides, a famous Jewish sage and a physician, wrote in the 12th century about circumcision "that one of its objects is to limit sexual intercourse, and to weaken the organ of generation as far as possible, and thus cause man to be moderate. ... for there is no doubt that circumcision weakens the power of sexual excitement, and sometimes lessens the natural enjoyment; ... It is hard for a woman, with whom an uncircumcised had sexual intercourse, to separate from him"[12]. He also wrote "that some people believe that circumcision is to remove a defect in man's formation; but every one can easily reply: How can products of nature be deficient so as to require external completion, especially as the use of the fore-skin to that organ is evident. This commandment has not been enjoined as a complement to a deficient physical creation, but as a means for perfecting man's moral shortcomings. The bodily injury caused to that organ is exactly that which is desired"[12].

Maimonides does not take circumcision lightly, "for circumcision is not like an incision on the leg, or a burning in the arm, but a very difficult operation"[12]. His serious attitude probably stems from the fact that no modern medicine was available to save the little victims from the "accidents" of circumcision.

Even the parents who cut for religious reasons are beginning to reject the concept of a God who requires a blood sacrifice.
http:
http:

Being Rational About Circumcision and Jewish Observance

Alternative Bris Ceremonies

Moshe Rothenberg
715 Ocean Parkway  #2K
Brooklyn, NY 11230 -1134
(718) 859-0650

Circumcision Resource Center
Ron Goldman
P.O. Box 232
Boston, MA 02133
(617) 523-0088

Alternative Bris Support Group
Natili Bivas
248 Ventura Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(415) 424-9855

NOCIRC, National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers. P.O. Box 2512, San Anselmo, CA 94979.

NOHARMM, National Organization to Halt the Abuse and Routine Mutilation of Males. P.O. Box 460795 San Francisco, CA 94146.

Alternative Bris Support Group, c/o Natali Bivas, 248 Ventura Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306, 415-424-9855. (Alternative Bris is a naming ceremony only, with no circumcision)

From a NOHARMM pamphlet:

".....Jewish men themselves are highly active in the anti-circumcision movement....Most people don't know it's not circumcision which confers upon one their Jewishness. While circumcising an infant son might arguably make a parent (not the child) a more observant Jew, Jewishness itself comes (except for converts) simply from having a Jewish mother. The circumcision most American Jewish males receive from a doctor doesn't satisfy religious requirements. Moreover, some Jews reject ancient practices that violate human rights and have adopted more humane Bris ceremonies appropriate to both sexes. Alternative Bris support groups exist here in the United States.

We impugn no religion, but assert that an intact body is a universal human right. Indeed, we affirm the rite of circumcision for religious purposes when the participant himself willingly chooses it. We as circumcised men of all religions have experienced genital abuse against our wills. We have the right and duty to speak out against a practice that we feel has harmed our violated us, even if it confronts religious tradition. We affirm the universal human right to be free from genital alteration and we support men in their efforts to educate their respective cultures about this issue."

I hope this helps. Please email me and let me know what responses you get from my forwarding your letter, and let me know if you have any other questions - I'll try to help in any way I can. Jenna

Jewish Support Groups for Intact Babies:

Helen Bryce, Alternative Bris Support Group, (408) 475-3313.

Moshe Rothenberg, 715 Ocean Pkwy #2K, Brooklyn, NY 11230-1134, (718) 859-0650.

See also the Jewish Issues section of Circumcision Information and Resource Pages at: http:

--Robin Verner, The Fathering HomePage

[from a doula] When I do have Jewish clients I will muster all the courage I can and offer them information the same as everyone else, just more. I don't believe there is any harm in offering information. I will offer the info as early as possible in the pregnancy so if they are offended so much so that we can't go forward they'll have the opportunity to find someone else, if it came to that.

The info I would share (at this point) would be chapter 25 in the book "Say NO to Circumcision: 40 Compelling Reasons" By Thomas J. Ritter, M.D. and George Denniston, M.D. and provide them with the information they need to find the info referenced at the end of that chapter. If they don't decline circ. for this baby, maybe the next baby they will feel differently about it after they have experienced one circumcision? Doubtful, but perhaps.

I often tackle this topic right from the start and have even sent information out to people who are only inquiring about services. I feel if I teach them nothing but about circumcision I have done a good job. :-)  I usually use "What I wish I had known", and the 10 minute VCR tape that nocirc distributes, Just like daddy.

I think one of the best points to make is to teach them that there is not a covenant for the removal of so much skin as is done routinely today.

"I would do anything not to hurt you, my parents, except hurt my child." --Jewish mother who refused to have her baby son circumcised. From It's a Boy! (video), by Victor Schonfeld

Circumcision and Sexual Satisfaction

I wish more women would have the opportunity to make love with intact males to see what a gigantic difference a foreskin makes.  I was circed at age 20 when a Jewish girlfriend convinced me that our lovemaking would dramatically improve.  It did not.  The dryness, soreness for both of us, yeast infections, and pain were more than I would have ever thought possible.  If only women realized that the foreskin helps so much with intimacy and slow love.  No foreskin means you have to thrust like crazy and tear both partners to shreds for orgasm.  In manual stimulation, my girlfriend used to be able to bring me to orgasm with little effort, now 20 years later my wife has to work like crazy since there is no extra skin for movement and the nerve endings have been clipped.  The glans is a dull color (not bright purple any more) and there is no more natural lubrication.  Why do women insist on causing themselves more pain during intercourse by cutting all their little guys?

Care of the Intact Penis

Penile hygiene for intact (non-circumcised) males