The clues are in bodies and past experiences, whether or not those experiences are medical. However, many people who do have differences in their sex traits may never hear the word intersex, or may not know how broad the word can be. Some people reject the word or use other terms. The short answer is: maybe. Like any person, it depends on body parts. And sometimes, help from technology. Making an embryo requires sperm from testes to meet an egg from an ovary.
These days, there are many ways for all of that to happen, even for non-intersex people. It is not possible for any human to reproduce without another person, including with donation and medical technology! If an intersex person has a penis and testes that make sperm, they may be able to cause a pregnancy. Some intersex people have a vulva, vagina, and internal testes. If an intersex person has a uterus, they may be able to carry a pregnancy. If they have ovaries or ovotestes, that tissue could be used for reproduction in some cases.
Some intersex people do have ovaries, a uterus, and a vagina, and could get pregnant by contact with sperm. Fertility is different for each intersex person. Many, but not all, intersex variations do result in infertility.
This is a sensitive topic. Let intersex people share at their own pace, if they choose. Welcome to the community! You are not alone. There are many intersex support groups, often on Facebook, where intersex people come together to connect.
There is also InterConnect , who hosts a yearly in-person conference in the United States. See our intersex organizations page for known intersex groups in other countries. Many other groups are private or require a referral. There are also some groups that offer spaces that are specific to medical diagnosis, e. To find information about other groups, we recommend joining a public group first.
Families need emotional and psychological support, not pressure to make decisions about surgery. It is essential to be open and honest about bodily differences with your child and family. Anything else teaches children that their bodies are shameful. The more support you can find, the better. Look for understanding providers. Ask to be connected to other families, as well as adults who share traits with your child. Like any child, an intersex infant can be raised socially as a boy or a girl without unnecessary surgery.
Decisions around surgery that is not life-saving should be delayed. Know Your Rights brochure for parents of intersex children. As long as your baby has an opening to pee from, there is no rush to make a decision.
If your doctor is recommending a surgery like a hypospadias repair, vaginoplasty, clitoroplasty, or gonadectomy that is not immediately life-saving, always ask:.
Our Know Your Rights brochure for parents can help. Also see our resource explaining why the most common medical arguments for early surgery are misinformed. Surgery comes with high risks, and can seriously affect sexual function, fertility, and emotional health. Intersex adults have asked for decades: please, let us decide.
We recommend asking to speak with other parents, as well as adults who have and have not had the surgery in question. If your doctor cannot offer those contacts, you can always ask more questions. If you feel your doctor is not respecting your requests, you should seek another provider. Some kids may grow up and want to change their bodies, but still be glad the decision was theirs to make. Many other kids and adults live with serious pain and trauma because these choices were made for them.
Learned something new? FAQ: What is intersex? Last updated January 26th, Jump to a question: What is the definition of intersex? How common is intersex? What causes intersex? What is intersex surgery? How many intersex surgeries happen each year? Are there statistics on intersex surgery? Are there any laws about intersex surgery? Is intersex surgery legal? What does intersex look like? What medical conditions are considered intersex? For instance, a woman with androgen insensitivity syndrome would find herself being called a male pseudohermaphrodite, in complete contradiction to her phenotypic sex and, most probably, gender identity.
In addition, inclusion of gender in a diagnostic label increases confusion for the parents and even the medical team at the time of gender assignment decisions. The other issue is the comparison of a patient to a mythological creature. There is something eerie about being called by the name of a monstrous fusion of two divine creatures, Hermes and Aphrodite.
Why has the gonado-centric model not changed throughout the years? First, it provided an intellectual frame that seemed to function. Even if it was a biased biological view, many disorders could be classified according to this model. Second, it is only relatively recently that the genetic mechanisms of sex development started to be deciphered. More importantly, there was no compelling reason to rapidly change the system. The patients' outcomes were unexplored, and their collective existence was essentially invisible.
However, in the early s, patient-based intersex advocacy movements started challenging and questioning physicians and their practices, including the traditional nomenclature. Fifty international experts and representatives of patient advocacy groups were divided into six working groups genetics, brain programming, medical management, surgical management, psychosocial management, and outcome data , which eventually all agreed on a consensus statement. The authors the genetics group were charged with translating genetic advances into the care of intersex patients.
We rapidly realized that the first step of this task was to update the nomenclature of intersexuality. The following principles for the establishment of a new nomenclature were adopted. First, although a modern categorization should integrate the important progress in molecular genetic aspects of sex determination and differentiation, it should not overemphasize one particular aspect of the biology of sex for instance, gonadal sex and should accommodate the spectrum of phenotypic variations.
Second, terms should be as precise as possible and should reflect the genetic etiology when available. Finally, the new nomenclature should be understandable by patients and families and should be psychologically sensitive.
Most importantly, patients will not be labeled with confusing names. But this change will go far beyond the doctor's office. The medical implication of the new nomenclature will likely be significant. The design of outcome studies will have to incorporate precise diagnostic terms, which will therefore force investigators to systematically categorize patients rather than lumping them. Likewise, by highlighting the fact that the cause of many DSDs remains unknown, the new nomenclature will spur research efforts aimed at elucidating the molecular etiology of specific disorders.
As a result, biological science will ultimately influence clinical practice, even in this controversial field. The most interesting consequence to observe will be on the intersex movement itself. Some may believe that it is time to think of DSD in the same framework as asthma or short stature; that is, as conditions that are far from defining individuals.
Others may continue to vindicate a distinct cultural identity, perhaps as a means of facing social ostracism and inequality regarding the right to marry or to adopt. Yet, in the latter case, they will identify as intersex on their own terms, not on the terms imposed by the medical system. The advent of a new nomenclature may symbolically mark the beginning of the end of traditional intersex activism, which has had as its main modus operandi a direct confrontation of the medical establishment.
It marks a new phase of the advocacy movement, which will now take a more prominent role in educating physicians and parents and supporting patients.
Ironically, the historically most influential advocacy group, the Intersex Society of North America, may eventually have to change its name. The change in nomenclature may seem a slight alteration of the clinical management of disorders of sex development, as the most contentious issue of genital surgery is far from being resolved.
However, this change is a gentle revolution that is likely to shift the rapport between health care providers and patients and to help to foster what has been needed the most in this field: dialogue. Popper KR. Clearly, intersex is a complex issue, and its treatment has short- and long-term consequences.
The best answer will depend on many factors, including the specific cause of the intersex. It is best to take the time to understand the issues before rushing into a decision. An intersex support group may help acquaint families with the latest research, and may provide a community of other families, children, and adult individuals who have faced the same issues.
Different support groups may differ in their thoughts regarding this very sensitive topic. Look for one that supports your thoughts and feelings on the topic. Please see information on the individual conditions. The prognosis depends on the specific cause of intersex. With understanding, support, and appropriate treatment, overall outlook is excellent. If you notice that your child has unusual genitalia or sexual development, discuss this with your health care provider.
Disorders of sexual development: etiology, evaluation, and medical management. Campbell-Walsh Urology. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Donohoue PA. Disorders of sex development. In: Kliegman RM, St. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. Wherrett DK. Approach to the infant with a suspected disorder of sex development. Pediatr Clin North Am. PMID: www. Updated by: Neil K. Editorial team. Intersex can be divided into 4 categories: 46, XX intersex 46, XY intersex True gonadal intersex Complex or undetermined intersex Each one is discussed in more detail below.
There are several possible causes: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia the most common cause. Male hormones such as testosterone taken or encountered by the mother during pregnancy. Male hormone-producing tumors in the mother: These are most often ovarian tumors. Mothers who have children with 46, XX intersex should be checked unless there is another clear cause. Aromatase deficiency: This one may not be noticeable until puberty. Aromatase is an enzyme that normally converts male hormones to female hormones.
Too much aromatase activity can lead to excess estrogen female hormone ; too little to 46, XX intersex. At puberty, these XX children, who had been raised as girls, may begin to take on male characteristics.
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