INTERSEX

Intersex or hermaphroditism is a broad term applied to many circumstances in which a person is born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that falls outside of the “male” or “female” classifications. Intersex babies and children are sometimes subjected to surgeries to adjust their bodies to binary concepts of “male” or “female.” 

Since being is a natural human variation and is not even a medical condition, medical procedures on youngsters are usually unnecessary. The best thing you can do if you have an intersex child is love and support them for who and what they are. It’s also a good idea to seek out guidance from other parents who have children and to ensure that your child gets a chance to interact with other intersex individuals.

TYPES

Intersex is divided into four classifications, namely:

True gonadal intersex. It was originally called true hermaphroditism, in which both ovarian and testicular tissue is present. This phenomenon might occur in the same gonad, or the person may only have one ovary and one testis.

46, XY intersex. It is identified if the male chromosomes are present, but the visible genitals are incomplete, ambiguous, or visibly female. On the inside, testes could be normal, deformed, or nonexistent.

46, XX intersex. It is a condition in which a person has female chromosomes but has male-looking genitals on the outside. This variation usually happens when a female fetus is exposed to excessive male hormones before birth.

Complex or undetermined intersex disorders of sexual development. This does not result in a state in which the internal and external genitalia are mismatched. However, there could be issues with sex hormone levels, complete sexual development, and sex chromosomal numbers.

SYMPTOMS

  • Micropenis
  • Ambiguous genitalia
  • Partial labial fusion
  • Clitoromegaly or enlarged clitoris
  • Undescended testes in boys
  • Labial or inguinal masses in girls

DIAGNOSIS

When a baby is born intersex, doctors and the family usually decide on sex, either male or female, and raise the child as that sex’s gender. However, additional procedures and examinations are needed if the doctor is uncertain of the child’s sexual assignment.

TREATMENT

After sex assignment, some intersex babies and children get surgery or hormone treatment to help them fit into male/female categories once they reach puberty, which can be psychologically damaging in the long run, especially if they aren’t given a say in the process.

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