Circumcision Information Resource Centre

The Centre provides information on the following subjects:

  The structure and functions of the foreskin, including its mechanical-lubricating role during sexual intercourse.

  The normal development of the foreskin. The tight, non-retractile nature of the infant’s foreskin, and the time frame within which gradual separation (differentiation) of the foreskin from the glans naturally occurs.

  The distinction between: 1) normal tightness and non-retractility of a child’s foreskin (prior to its full differentiation during infancy, childhood, or adolescence), and 2) phimosis (abnormal constriction and non-retractility of a fully differentiated foreskin).

  Care of the infant’s and child’s foreskin. What to do, what not to do. (The harmful nature of forced retractions).

  Consequences of neonatal circumcision on breastfeeding and maternal-infant interaction.

  Explanation of foreskin problems and discussion of non-surgical remedies

  Medical indications for circumcision, and their estimated incidence.

  What infant circumcision involves (description of the most commonly employed hospital infant circumcision procedures).

  The impact of circumcision on the penis (i.e. the predictable physical, histological, and mechanical changes that occur).

  The possible short-term and long-term complications of infant circumcision, and their estimated incidences.

  The reasons, medical and non-medical, advanced in favor of infant circumcision.

  The history of non-religious infant circumcision.

  The bioethical issues raised by non-religious infant circumcision.

  Circumcision statistics of countries where non-religious infant circumcision is widely practiced (United States, Canada, Australia).

  The anthropology and ethnography of circumcision.

  Adult circumcision.

  Modern non-surgical and surgical foreskin restoration (glans re-covering) methods and restorations support groups in North America.

  Books, bibliographies, journal articles, surveys, studies and letters about circumcision and foreskin restoration.

  Proceedings and syllabi of abstracts from the First, Second, and Third International Symposiums on Circumcision (1989, 1991, and 1994), as well as the Forth and Fifth International Symposiums on Sexual Mutilations (1996, 1998).

  Positions of the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and other medical organisations on circumcision in the newborn period.

  References and support groups regarding (non-excisional) alternative bris ceremonies: ‘Bris Shalom’. For info, contact also Norm Cohen, NOCIRC of Michigan, (801) 624-5703 or Ronald Goldman, Circumcision Resource Center (Boston), (617) 523-0088.

  Circumcision and restoration discussion and support groups in Montreal.

Disclaimer: The Centre is composed of medical professionals, as well as members in health-related fields, and lay persons. All information and resources provided by the Centre, including medical or medically referenced material are intended stricly for information purposes only, and do not constitute, are not meant as, and should not be taken as medical advice or diagnosis. For medical advice, consult a physician. It should be noted that the issue of non-religious infant circumcision is one on which the international medical community holds divergent views, thus it is frequently advisable to seek more than one informed medical opinion.

Succ. Les Atriums
C. P. 32065
Montréal, QC H2L 4Y5
CANADA
(version française ici)

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