Intersex (also known as hermaphroditism or DSDs) is a group of conditions with disparity between the external genitals and the internal genitals. There are 4 distinguished categories of Intersex, however in some cases, the cause remains undetermined, even with modern diagnostic methods.
1. 46, XX intersex occurs when a person has woman chromosomes, ovaries, but external genitals appear male. This is usually the result of a female fetus exposition to excess male hormones before birth. The labia fuse, the clitoris enlarges to appear like a penis, but uterus and fallopian tubes remain normal. This condition is also called 46, XX with virilization (or pseudohermaphroditism- condition in which a female develops characteristics associated with male …show more content…
True gonadal intersex occurs when the person has both: ovarian and testicular tissue. The person may have XX chromosomes, XY chromosomes, or mix of both. The external genitals may appear as male, female or be ambiguous. The underlying cause is unknown, but some studies link it to common agricultural pesticides exposure.
4. Complex or undetermined intersex disorders of sexual development, where multiple chromosome configurations such as 45 XO, 47 XXY, 47 XXX disrupt proper sex development. In this case, there is no discrepancy between internal and external genitalia, but there are issues with sex hormone levels, overall sexual development, and altered numbers of sex chromosomes.
The symptoms associated vary due to the underlying cause, and may include: an enlarged clitoris, micropenis, ambiguous genitalia at birth, partial labial fusion, hypospadias, electrolyte abnormalities, delayed/absent puberty, undescended testes, labial or inguinal masses, and unexpected changes at puberty.
Tests used to obtain proper diagnosis are: chromosome analysis, hormone stimulation tests, electrolyte tests, molecular testing, endoscopic exam, ultrasound, and …show more content…
In the past, if diagnosed at birth, parents chose the gender based on the condition of the external genitalia, and gonads of the opposite sex were surgically removed. The remaining genitalia were then reconstructed to resemble chosen sex. Female genitalia reconstruction was easier to perform (more recently, the complexity of female sexual functioning led to conclusion female genitalia may not be inherently better than male genitalia); therefore, ambiguous individuals often were made to be female. Unfortunately, intersex surgery might have some long-term consequences affecting individuals, where later in life, the person may not be happy with the results of the surgery and identify as the opposite gender. Nowadays, the decision about surgery is being delayed, so the patient can decide what gender he/she wants to be. Hormonal therapy is an additional treatment in order to reinforce ongoing
1. 46, XX intersex occurs when a person has woman chromosomes, ovaries, but external genitals appear male. This is usually the result of a female fetus exposition to excess male hormones before birth. The labia fuse, the clitoris enlarges to appear like a penis, but uterus and fallopian tubes remain normal. This condition is also called 46, XX with virilization (or pseudohermaphroditism- condition in which a female develops characteristics associated with male …show more content…
True gonadal intersex occurs when the person has both: ovarian and testicular tissue. The person may have XX chromosomes, XY chromosomes, or mix of both. The external genitals may appear as male, female or be ambiguous. The underlying cause is unknown, but some studies link it to common agricultural pesticides exposure.
4. Complex or undetermined intersex disorders of sexual development, where multiple chromosome configurations such as 45 XO, 47 XXY, 47 XXX disrupt proper sex development. In this case, there is no discrepancy between internal and external genitalia, but there are issues with sex hormone levels, overall sexual development, and altered numbers of sex chromosomes.
The symptoms associated vary due to the underlying cause, and may include: an enlarged clitoris, micropenis, ambiguous genitalia at birth, partial labial fusion, hypospadias, electrolyte abnormalities, delayed/absent puberty, undescended testes, labial or inguinal masses, and unexpected changes at puberty.
Tests used to obtain proper diagnosis are: chromosome analysis, hormone stimulation tests, electrolyte tests, molecular testing, endoscopic exam, ultrasound, and …show more content…
In the past, if diagnosed at birth, parents chose the gender based on the condition of the external genitalia, and gonads of the opposite sex were surgically removed. The remaining genitalia were then reconstructed to resemble chosen sex. Female genitalia reconstruction was easier to perform (more recently, the complexity of female sexual functioning led to conclusion female genitalia may not be inherently better than male genitalia); therefore, ambiguous individuals often were made to be female. Unfortunately, intersex surgery might have some long-term consequences affecting individuals, where later in life, the person may not be happy with the results of the surgery and identify as the opposite gender. Nowadays, the decision about surgery is being delayed, so the patient can decide what gender he/she wants to be. Hormonal therapy is an additional treatment in order to reinforce ongoing