What Does “Intersex” Mean?
Intersex conditions are a category of genetic conditions where a person’s sex falls outside of the most common two categories: Male or Female. These can cause obvious differences in sexual development, or sometimes more differences in a person’s development which are not outwardly visible. Approximately 1.7% of the population is thought to be intersex.
A Note on Intersex Representation
Intersex people are often referenced in discussions about transgender identities, sometimes as a way to explain or justify the existence of gender diversity. However, it’s important to be clear: intersex and transgender are distinct experiences, each with their own realities, challenges, and stories.
This section briefly discusses intersex variations not to conflate the two, but to highlight the natural diversity of human bodies — and to underscore that this diversity has always existed. Intersex people deserve recognition on their own terms, and their experiences should not be overshadowed or used solely in service of conversations about others. While this website focuses primarily on transgender topics, it does so with full respect for the autonomy, dignity, and voices of intersex individuals.
Some Conditions Affecting Sex Characteristics
Some (but not all) of the items listed here are intersex conditions. Some are other conditions known to effect sex characteristics such as facial hair and genital development as an example.
- Aromatase Excess Syndrome
A condition causing an excess in the production of oestrogen in both males and females. Ref. LFWTRAMODC - Aromatase Deficiency
A condition resulting in females not producing the expected secondary sex characteristics while also showing progressive virilization (developing characteristics associated with male hormones) Ref. LXUVXTQWHX - Aphallia
This condition causes a male to be born without a sufficiently formed penis, and an atypically placed urethral opening.
Ref. AHDZHCKSXL - Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS, PAIS or CAIS)
This condition causes people genetically born male, to be insensitive to male hormones. While they are genetically male, they typically develop more feminine traits. Ref. WGIYGUYBLV - 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Deficiency
This condition causes a person to be born with partial male genitalia that are internal to their body, no prostate and the outward appearance of female genitalia. Ref. MXHZYPNGTH - 5-ARD
People with this condition do not produce enough of a hormone called “dihydrotestosterone”. This is the chemical which causes a fetus to begin developing external sex organs before birth, so many people with the condition are, although male, born with external genitalia that appear female. Ref. KLIEUTMLHN - PCOS
A female with this condition often develop a series of small cysts in the ovaries. The condition is also characterised by higher androgen levels, resulting in the individual having some more typically male characteristics such as facial hair, male-pattern baldness and acne. Ref. UOWSYWAQUS - 17α-Hydroxylase/17,20-lyase Deficiency (17OHD)
A condition which disrupts the production of multiple hormones, causing (among other things) a whole variety of abnormalities surrounding sexual development. Ref. RISARTUNTR - Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
A gene mutation results in the body’s inability to create certain hormones - predominently Cortisol, Mineralocorticoids and Androgens. Ref. TRTLRXCEDS - Isolated 17,20-lyase Deficiency
Causes different symptoms between males and females, where males often exhibit underdeveloped genitalia and breast growth, and females often exhibit enlarged, cystic ovaries and irregular or missing menstrual periods. Ref. OBKSLLMVEN - Klinefelter Syndrome
Results in reduced testicular growth and lower testosterone levels. This may also cause reduced muscle mass and body hair, with breast growth. Ref. VCRIUHNHUQ - Leydig Cell Hypoplasia
Can cause a range of genital development abnormalities, including a micropenis, the opening for the urethra being on the underside of the penis or a bifid scrotum. This can make it harder to determine sex visually (ambiguous genitalia). Ref. FQACQDBPWG - Persistent Müllerian Duct Syndrome
A male with this condition will have male reproductive organs, but may also develop A uterus and fallopian tubes, often not discovered until later in life. Ref. HYQRUZGLWP - Pseudovaginal Perineoscrotal Hypospadias
A condition where males show ambiguous genitalia at birth, including perineal hypospadias and a blind perineal pouch, and develop masculinization at puberty. Ref. ASFJCSKTJA - Swyer Syndrome
This is classified as a disorder of sex development, causing the failure of sex glands to develop (Testicles of Ovaries). Ref. QLJEIXDXIP - Turner Syndrome
A condition effecting females, causing reduced growth after approximately the age of 3, ovaries which don’t produce enough oestrogen and progesterone, causing a reduction in sexual development. Ref. GZRTLAFPXM - XX Testicular DSD
A condition where people of a male appearance carry typically female sex chromosomes (XX). They may have underdeveloped or ambiguous genitalia and often require treatment with testosterone to promote development during puberty. Ref. VYOLNNQUGE