I Was Born Intersex

[suziech]

At the age of puberty, which for me was around 12 or 13, I began to have menstrual periods like any other biological female would, the only difference was that I was born with male genitalia. Every month I would have these menstrual periods that were pretty painful I may add, I had them up into my late 40's, when everything just stopped, menopause.  I have never been medically tested for intersex testing and really do not care to now, I have lived as a biological female for 57 years, yet had to act like a male for 47 of those years due to fear of ridicule, hatred, even violence.  At 47, I had to stop the acting and just be who I am, a woman.  I am very certain that I was born with a uterus, ovaries and cervix, and at some point later in life my body discarded these parts.  I have had cancer surgery this past year and the doctor would have noticed that right away if they were still present.  All I can say is that I am a biological woman, yet society labels me as a transsexual woman, since I have external male parts, which will soon be corrected finally.  It is very frustrating and difficult to try and explain to people that I was born intersex, most do not even know what that means, so for the most part I just keep it to myself and try and live the best I can. 

[Serenation]

Bodies do not discard organs, maybe you should speak with a therapist about coming to terms with being trans.

[mmmmm]

I could be wrong... But if you are intersex, you are not biologically a female, you are biologically intersex.

[Dena]

Welcome to Susan's Place. Intersex can express it's self in many different ways so I am not going to even guess at the state of your body without hormone/genetic/ultrasound information that would tell us exactly what you have been dealing with all these years. The term transgender is very broad as anybody who is uncomfortable with their birth gender falls under the transgender umbrella so this would include some intersex. The one thing that is clear above all this is you identify as a woman so you are a woman. That is something that only you can determine and we can't prove or disprove. You may post anywhere you feel comfortable on the site and should you need any assistance, feel free to ask. There is over 10 years of posts on this site sometimes the information can be a little difficult to find.

We issue to all new members the following links so you will best be able to use the web site.

Things that you should read

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy

[mac1]

At the age of puberty, which for me was around 12 or 13, I began to have menstrual periods like any other biological female would, the only difference was that I was born with male genitalia............

Your condition should have been noticed at birth - why not?

(1) Did you have complete male genitals (penis & testicles)?
(2) Why was your vagina not detected at birth?
(3) Did you have a male or female urethra?

[Estelle]

Your condition should have been noticed at birth - why not?

It happens. There's quite a few intersex variations, and they're not always discovered at birth. Heck, I know someone who didn't know they were intersex until they were 19.

[Sharon Anne McC]

 * we are nearly the same age - difference was that i started as transsexual during childhood / teens - transitioned at age 18 (1974) - exploratory surgery determined i am female inter-sex - i took that as great news confirming my entire argument...

[Sharon Anne McC]

 * ... i feel for you, your late diagnosis, and your transition - many of us incur loss of family - try locating a trans / lgbt / inter-sex group where you live - my best wishes to you. (:-)