Management of intersexuality: guidelines for dealing with persons with ambiguous genitalia

Article Abstract:

Determinations of gender in children born with ambiguous genitalia may be more appropriate near puberty rather than at birth. Such children, often referred to as hermaphrodites, are traditionally assigned a gender at birth and, in some cases, undergo genital surgery. Intersex infants should receive a full physical and diagnostic examination to determine the cause of the genital abnormality. Any decisions about gender assignment or surgery should reflect the medical interests of the child, not parental preference. Surgery may be deferred until the child can thoughtfully consider the issues.

Care and treatment, Hermaphroditism, Sex chromosome abnormalities

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To be male or female - that is the question

Article Abstract:

Sexual identification may have more to do with the brain than with anatomy or childrearing practices. Doctors often recommend rearing genetically male children with ambiguous external genitals as female. However, long-term follow-up of a boy whose penis was cut off in infancy and was reared as female raise questions about the wisdom of that practice. Other studies of genetic females exposed to male hormones during fetal development and genetic males reared as females because of abnormal genitals suggest that once the brain has been masculinized, the child considers itself to be male.

Psychological aspects, Editorial

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Sex reassignment at birth: long-term review and clinical implications

Article Abstract:

The idea that sexual identity depends on genital appearance demands reconsideration. A landmark case cited in support of this theory is that of an infant whose penis was accidentally destroyed during surgery. His testes were removed and he was reared as female. Follow up interviews reveal that he consistently resisted female identity. He refused surgery to construct a vagina, refused to take hormones at puberty, and was never sexually attracted to boys. When told he was male at age 14, he requested male hormones, breast removal, and reconstruction of a penis. He is currently married.

Case studies

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