Types of intersex

[TiffanyJ]

Hello, I've always thought I was transgender but after hearing loads of stories about people who are intersex it's made me wonder a few things, I've always had wider hips than boys my age (not saying I'm a boy but biologically speaking) well on one side anyway and when I was at puberty I developed breast buds but not much came of them, I have a few other feminine features but it's like they're kinda mixed if that makes sense. The reason I just took me being trans as what I must be is because I though you had to have mixed genitals and I don't, but then I heard that some girls can have undescended testis and I was wondering can a guy (biologically speaking remember) have descended ovaries?

Thanks. 

[EchelonHunt]

I was born 17 weeks premature and I was diagnosed with the term "androgenisation" which I think is now outdated and I'm not sure what the term is called nowadays. I was born biologically female but with ambiguous genitals - my clitoris was enlarged, however everything else, including internal reproductive organs were female. The doctors were going to surgically correct the clitoris but in the end, thankfully, they decided against it.

I had very low T levels - lower than normal for biological females. I assume the low levels is what caused me to handle the hormonal spikes very badly before, during and after periods. After going on T, it seemed to balance out completely. In retrospect, a low-dose of T would have probably stabilized me as it would have most likely made up for the lack of T in my body.

Growing up, I have always had a very androgynous face, it used to be dubbed my "baby face" because I look like a child, even though I'm hitting mid-twenties.

I never considered myself intersex until I researched it and found that having ambiguous genitals is considered a trait of the intersex condition, regardless if you have undescended testis or descended ovaries. Then again, everyone is different and I'm willing to bet there will always be that minority of people who will argue that you must have this, this and that trait to be "true" intersex, just like those who demand you have to have certain traits or qualities otherwise you're not a "true" transsexual.

Hopefully, someone else can help you out! Sorry I wasn't much help  🙂

[JLT1]

Tiffany J:  Yes, it is possible to have descended ovaries.  It is possible to have things that look like testicles but contain both ovarian and testicular tissue.  There are a number of different types and subtypes of intersex conditions. Some of the more interesting ones are variations on the mosaicism of Klinefelter's syndrome.  Also, don't forget about Chimeras and the possibility of both ovaries and testicles.  My best guess is that you're not intersexed or if you are, I'd guess Klinefelter's. 

Echelon Hunt:  So, you basically have an enlarged clitoris and low T?  That is an odd combination but I'm glad you got it under control!!

Hugs,

Jen

[Natkat]

I was born 17 weeks premature and I was diagnosed with the term "androgenisation" which I think is now outdated and I'm not sure what the term is called nowadays. I was born biologically female but with ambiguous genitals - my clitoris was enlarged, however everything else, including internal reproductive organs were female. The doctors were going to surgically correct the clitoris but in the end, thankfully, they decided against it.

I had very low T levels - lower than normal for biological females. I assume the low levels is what caused me to handle the hormonal spikes very badly before, during and after periods. After going on T, it seemed to balance out completely. In retrospect, a low-dose of T would have probably stabilized me as it would have most likely made up for the lack of T in my body.

Growing up, I have always had a very androgynous face, it used to be dubbed my "baby face" because I look like a child, even though I'm hitting mid-twenties.

I never considered myself intersex until I researched it and found that having ambiguous genitals is considered a trait of the intersex condition, regardless if you have undescended testis or descended ovaries. Then again, everyone is different and I'm willing to bet there will always be that minority of people who will argue that you must have this, this and that trait to be "true" intersex, just like those who demand you have to have certain traits or qualities otherwise you're not a "true" transsexual.

Hopefully, someone else can help you out! Sorry I wasn't much help 

its interesting to read about the low T level. I feel it rather simular to me.

both my parrents have been on homones, my mom is on E and my dad been on T.
before I started on T I got a rather androgynous look since im really tall and got big feets and had small boobs and babyface. but I been wondering if I had
too low dosis of T since I used to get really sick during and before my period and had to take alot of pills and skip school at least 2-3 days each month when it was worst.

after staring T I dont get sick like I used to, there had been some thimes where I had feel unconfortable and I notice this had been because my T level had been low so in a way
I feel T is actually making me more healthy than the E my body produce.

[JLT1]

its interesting to read about the low T level. I feel it rather simular to me.

both my parrents have been on homones, my mom is on E and my dad been on T.
before I started on T I got a rather androgynous look since im really tall and got big feets and had small boobs and babyface. but I been wondering if I had
too low dosis of T since I used to get really sick during and before my period and had to take alot of pills and skip school at least 2-3 days each month when it was worst.

after staring T I dont get sick like I used to, there had been some thimes where I had feel unconfortable and I notice this had been because my T level had been low so in a way
I feel T is actually making me more healthy than the E my body produce.

That can happen.  Extreme form of ->-bleeped-<-?  Intersexed?   I don't know.  I'm the opposite, E is better than T.  I'm intersexed.

Take Care!

Jen

[Jessica Merriman]

Try the site North American Intersex Society. They rule when it comes to intersex conditions.  🙂

[Eris]

Jessica Merriman, no longer a professional but still rescuing people floundering in the dark 

[Jessica Merriman]

Jessica Merriman, no longer a professional but still rescuing people floundering in the dark 

Oh please! Just a girl helping a sister out. Trust me, I am not special just doing what others did for me when I joined here. I was a total mess until Cindy, Sephirah, LordKAT and many others got ahold of me and shook the sense into me.  🙂

[mac1]

I was born 17 weeks premature and I was diagnosed with the term "androgenisation" which I think is now outdated and I'm not sure what the term is called nowadays. I was born biologically female but with ambiguous genitals - my clitoris was enlarged, however everything else, including internal reproductive organs were female. The doctors were going to surgically correct the clitoris but in the end, thankfully, they decided against it.

..............................

Be thankful that they left it alone. There shouldn't be anything wrong about having a larger than normal clitoris. It might even be an advantage in many ways.

[EchelonHunt]

its interesting to read about the low T level. I feel it rather simular to me.

both my parrents have been on homones, my mom is on E and my dad been on T.
before I started on T I got a rather androgynous look since im really tall and got big feets and had small boobs and babyface. but I been wondering if I had
too low dosis of T since I used to get really sick during and before my period and had to take alot of pills and skip school at least 2-3 days each month when it was worst.

after staring T I dont get sick like I used to, there had been some thimes where I had feel unconfortable and I notice this had been because my T level had been low so in a way
I feel T is actually making me more healthy than the E my body produce.

So I am not the only one who has had low T levels, that is interesting, thank you for replying, it's a bittersweet feeling to know I'm not alone!

I am currently debating on a low-dose of T, rather than going off T entirely, I fear if I will go off T entirely, my T levels will drop drastically to the low range and I will experience the hypersensitivity to the shifts in my hormonal levels as stated before. I have researched and found Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, it fit the symptoms I experienced pre-HRT and I truly believe I am a case that went undiagnosed since doctors believed my symptoms were that of "normal PMS". Maybe the symptoms of PMDD were symptoms of dysphoria or it's a combination of both, who knows... but the test results of low T levels is really something that stands out to me.

"While the cause of PMDD has not been definitively established, a theory suggests it is due to the lack of serotonin (a neurotransmitter) and mediated by the fluctuations of the levels of sex hormones (progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone) in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle" (Quoted from Wikipedia)

There are also studies to suggest that HRT increases serotonin in transgender individuals (for FtMs, testosterone increases serotonin. For MtFs, vice versa) so that most likely explains why people may feel better because on one hand, people like you and me, the T levels are stable and on the other, the increased serotonin from said HRT reduces depression.

Be thankful that they left it alone. There shouldn't be anything wrong about having a larger than normal clitoris. It might even be an advantage in many ways.

Of course I am thankful. I agree there is nothing wrong with having an enlarged clitoris, it just gave me the shock of my life to learn I would experience a female puberty, rather than a boy as I previously believed I would experience during childhood. Not sure how it can be seen as an advantage unless you mean it helped me realize my true identity as a male...? Then yes, it was an "advantage"... one that caused me many years of grief and dysphoria over my body.

[Heather Exley]

Hi Everyone,

I have often wondered if I was intersexed. I have never had any investigations to come to a diagnosis, since I'm doing GRS in May15/June15 I suppose I want to know just out of interest.

My left testes is made up of only the spermatogonium ( about Sultana size). My right is an amorphus mass that seems to produce T & E, on testing before HRT my levels were (UK measures) T-105 & E-80.
According to the idea that you are as wide as you're tall then my arms are 3 inches too long, they have kept growing slowly since puberty.
I have no adams apple, a female jaw line and no build up of bone on my brow.
I do not have an extra pair of ribs.
My pelvis is wide and has a channel in it big enough to give birth, quote for doctor.
I have been profoundly dysphoric since I was 6-7 years old, not sure if this is relevant.

It seems to be a mine field finding out about this subject and I wondered if anyone had any ideas.

Heather.

Luv & Hugs for everyone.

[mac1]

So I am not the only one who has had low T levels, that is interesting, thank you for replying, it's a bittersweet feeling to know I'm not alone!

.........................

Of course I am thankful. I agree there is nothing wrong with having an enlarged clitoris, it just gave me the shock of my life to learn I would experience a female puberty, rather than a boy as I previously believed I would experience during childhood. Not sure how it can be seen as an advantage unless you mean it helped me realize my true identity as a male...? Then yes, it was an "advantage"... one that caused me many years of grief and dysphoria over my body.

Your post is confusing to me. Sounds like you were born with female parts including a large clitoris (which you find inappropriate) but identify as a male. it is not clear how large your clitoris is or why having it is a problem for you if you identify as a male. If you are still around please indicate how I can contact you for more details.

[Aazhie]

Just chiming in in case anyone is still browsing.  You can be intersex and transgender, in a sense.  If your body is not really in line with how you think of yourself and you have ambiguous features or your body produces T or E hormone in levels that doesn't fit your preference.  Being intersex does not make you transgender automatically however.  If you are not uncomfortable with how you are perceived as, or your internal idea of gender meshes well enough with the physical.  Seeing as both gender and sex can be fluid in some individuals and sometimes both in the same individual, neither one is a requirement of the other!