NOCIRC of Iowa
National Organization of Circumcision
Information Resource Centers of Iowa
"Educating a New Generation for the Well Being of All Children"

Mission Statement

The mission of NOCIRC of Iowa is to advocate for circumcision prevention and proper care of intact children.  We are committed to securing the birthright of male and female children and babies to keep their sexual organs intact.  We provide educational information to parents, health care professionals, child advocates and anyone who is interested in the well being of children.  We provide information to promote an understanding of the history, practice and effects of infant circumcision as well as foreskin purpose and function.  We provide a referral service that provides the names of doctors, lawyers and advocates who are educated about the functions of the foreskin and the medical, ethical and legal reasons that the sexual organs of children should be left intact.  We endorse and uphold the Declaration of the First International Symposium on Circumcision.

One of the first and most important decisions parents can make for their newborn son is to leave his penis intact (non-circumcised).  The National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers of Iowa (NOCIRC of Iowa) supports that decision by providing information and expert assistance to parents.  We are also a source of accurate information for health-care professionals and the community. 

An intact penis, complete with a foreskin, offers the baby a first line of defense against infection and injury.  Research shows that the foreskin protects the penis and helps it function properly.  An intact male will not experience:

• The pain, trauma, and complications from the circumcision surgery, including bleeding, infection, loss of glans, loss of penis and possible death.

• Complications from anesthetics used during circumcision.

• Post surgical complications related to circumcision including meatal stenosis (narrowing of the urinary opening), adhesions, skin bridges, painful erections, extensive scarring, curvature of the penis and emotional feelings of anger and regret about being circumcised.

• Interrupted parental bonding in relation to circumcision.

• Breastfeeding difficulty and failure in relation to circumcision.

A natural, normal, intact penis is economical.  A savings of over a quarter-of-a-billion dollars annually from the circumcision surgery itself.  Additional savings result from the lack of medical attention needed due to surgical and post surgical complications.

Complications of Circumcision

http://www.cirp.org/CIRP/library/complications/williams-kapila/

Complications ~ Romberg

http://www.cirp.org/CIRP/library/complications/romberg

We work to educate health-care professionals, expectant and new parents, and the community about the benefits of being intact and the ease of caring for the intact child.

When given factual information, parents are relieved to learn that they do not have to subject their newborn son to this painful surgical procedure.

Caring for an intact boy is simple and easy.  At birth, the foreskin is firmly attached to the glans (head of the penis) and should not be retracted (pulled back).  Simple external cleansing at the time of the child's bath is all that is needed.  Do not attempt to pull the foreskin back, as problems can develop such as pain, bleeding and infection.  Premature, forceful retraction can also lead to future problems, including acquired phimosis (inability to pull the foreskin back once it is fully developed).  When left alone to develop naturally, it usually does.

"Answers to Your Questions About Your Young Son's Intact Penis"

http://nocirc.org/publish/pam4.html

Once the foreskin is fully separated from the glans, the boy can be told how to simply retract his foreskin and rinse underneath.  The boy should be the first person to retract his own foreskin.  Full retraction may not be possible until after the child's teen years, which is perfectly normal.  Until this time, the foreskin is self-cleaning and needs no specific attention.

Should problems arise with the development of the foreskin, they should be treated medically rather than surgically.  NOCIRC has a directory of foreskin-friendly doctors to help you find quality care.  Circumcision is very rarely the only remedy and is often not the best choice for the child.  Only in the instance of disease or severe deformity that interferes with function should circumcision be considered.  When the boy becomes an adult, he has the right to make a choice to be circumcised for religious, cultural, or cosmetic reasons, after he has been given full information about the surgery, foreskin function, and expected results from the loss.  The majority of intact adult males choose to stay that way.

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