Just curious..

[matthewzguitarz]

This is just a random thing I have wondered for a while. One reason might be because it would be easier to say intersex than transgender(I sort of discussed trans with my cousin without mentioning that I consider myself that, and he had no idea what I was saying until I mentioned intersex).

As far as I can tell, I am a regular male besides the trans stuff. Though, I thought more about it on Sunday after awesome things happened like getting to see my favorite cousins all in one place(even though only 2 of them don't live near me), but also sort of found out that my cousins who hadn't seen me in a while thought I am bisexual(I consider myself straight). Then I ended up about to burst out crying out of randomly hating the gender I am.

Okay, that went off topic a bit.. Anyways, I think the only weird thing is that I act like a girl.. even without thinking about it. I also have like no facial hair, but I do have hair on other parts of my body. My hands are actually smaller than some girls I know who are older than me but I guess that is normal.

Actually, if I wasn't so tired, I would just delete all of that and make it simple. I have just been wondering for a while now if there is any chance I could be intersex? I am planning at some point after I am going to college, getting a test or something.

I have read about people who are like supposed to be male/female but for whatever reason are born with the wrong parts. Or the androgen insensitivity thing, which I haven't read too much about..

Anyways, just curious. But it is late and I need to get some sleep, so I might add a bit tomorrow before/after school.

[Cindy]

Hi,

I think the only way to 'prove' intersex is by karotyping to check what you chromosome make up is. You doctor can help you with this.

[matthewzguitarz]

Ah.. then I guess I shall just wait until I am in college or something.

[PrincessDayna]

If you think u are is get ur bloodwork LH, FSH, and testosterone/estrogen lvels checked, they are good indicators. Your dr would go from there. Some GPs can order karotyping and most endos can, as well. Geneticists arent nessecarily always the best, some endos specialize in IS people, and a few GPs may have experience too. Usually for insurance to cover karotyping, they want some form of "indicators" noted by the doc ordering the testing, not always, but usually. But a lot of doctors are going to ask why you want that testing, and then it depends on their fields of studyas well. Typically endos would be more apt for the testing as they specialize in that internal medicine, over a GP, but this varies person to person. If your GP isnt willing, ask if they can refer you to an endo for testing. But generally, they are gunna want to know more about your medical profile then NOS transexuality to do that testing. Best wishes!

[anjaq]

They can do tests on hair follicles to determine chromosomes, that will give indocations on IS conditions like XXY or other chromosomal features that are related to being intersex. Here it is common practice to check that before getting SRS as I guess that would determine if they have to so this differently (as in if you have some shrunken ovaries or uterus)? This test can however only determine chomosomal features. It cannot tell you about AIS. Ad far as I know for MAIS there are not even tests. I looked a bit for them as I was suspected to have MAIS as well but there is nothing definite I believe. Only "evidence based" methods - like female pattern body hair, reduced size of genitalia or infertility and such, I believe. But really - those things do not explain the gender issues. Many mildly IS people seem to identify as males if they have mostly male features and especially with MAIS people usually dont even think about it unless they have fertility problems. Or so says wikipedia at least.

[PrincessDayna]

They can do tests on hair follicles to determine chromosomes, that will give indocations on IS conditions like XXY or other chromosomal features that are related to being intersex. Here it is common practice to check that before getting SRS as I guess that would determine if they have to so this differently (as in if you have some shrunken ovaries or uterus)? This test can however only determine chomosomal features. It cannot tell you about AIS. Ad far as I know for MAIS there are not even tests. I looked a bit for them as I was suspected to have MAIS as well but there is nothing definite I believe. Only "evidence based" methods - like female pattern body hair, reduced size of genitalia or infertility and such, I believe. But really - those things do not explain the gender issues. Many mildly IS people seem to identify as males if they have mostly male features and especially with MAIS people usually dont even think about it unless they have fertility problems. Or so says wikipedia at least.

I agree with most of this, there is also salival and blood testing. The last bit, its seeming to be a more opion based statistic. Because mild IS conditions with masculine prominent features, and gender identity are as varied as the dysphoria from gender identity issues. Externally before this i was pretty masculine unless you took into factor internal unknowns *cough, uterus*, micro penis, infertility, and the joys of a dischargeless cycle of pain and confusion mixed with mild gynamasticia (sp.....). That unseen factor to the outside world mixed with identity and dysphoria can lead to a huge range of identity differentiations when its a pretty much secret until it no longer can be. But then IS issues are so wildly variant that the determination of gender is a tricky statistic. So i refute that small opinionation. But hey we are talking wiki lol. 

[matthewzguitarz]

Hmm, well still think I will wait until I graduate from high school since if I asked my parents about getting tests they would probably freak out.

[Silvermist]

That trans people may wonder if they're intersex is not uncommon, but I'm sorry to disappoint you. If you have to ask, then you're almost certainly not intersex. Intersex conditions are pretty obvious. They are caused by either androgen insensitivity or a chromosomal defect. Chromosomal defects have profound health effects, not just gender identity issues and certain variations in appearance. With both partial androgen insensitivity and chromosomal disorders, you'd see things like male breasts, micropenis (we're talking like two or three inches when erect), non-descended and undersized testicles, unusual pubertal development, and often sterility.

People who may not be obviously intersex only appear "normal" if the anatomical anomalies were treated at a very early by surgery and/or hormone replacement therapy. Otherwise, they would carry their ambiguous genitalia (among other things) into adulthood, which would no doubt make them extremely self-conscious.

In other words, if you look at your junk and feel that it has hardly any similarity to other guys' junk, then you're intersex. If your junk looks like typical male junk, then we can safely say that you're not intersex. And if you are intersex, how would that help you? You'd have to deal with a host of health issues on top of your transition. Would being intersex really be easier to explain to people or for them to accept? People nowadays are used to the idea of "a woman trapped in a man's body" (an oversimplication, yes, but at least it's a simple point to communicate). Good luck explaining intersex in an easy-to-understand, non-confusing way in just one sentence. People understand "male" and "female" and "man" and "woman." Most of them can't even fathom someone having a body that's "somewhere in between" or a "combination of both." A "hermaphrodite" (please note: I am not trying to label all intersex people as hermaphrodites) would sound to them like the stuff of fairy tales and myths, which is why intersex people are known as an invisible minority.

Your "girly" mind has nothing to do with being intersex or not, since the term "intersex" is only concerned with anatomical anomalies. But it is a classic sign that you are really, truly trans