Community Conversation => Intersex talk => Topic started by: Avenue on April 03, 2014, 11:56:44 AM Return to Full Version
Title: Intersexuality in the bone structure.
Post by: Avenue on April 03, 2014, 11:56:44 AM
Post by: Avenue on April 03, 2014, 11:56:44 AM
Hey there,
I'm sorry, I've noticed there were many topics like "am I/is s/he intersexed," et cetera, and I don't mean to spam this area any more; however, I have some questions about intersexuality and I think this place would be the best to ask. Hope you don't mind!
Anyway, I know a [little] bit about ambiguous genitalia and how that is a defining trait in intersexed persons... but is there something beyond sex organs that defines intersexuality, like bones? I ask because of the slight differences between standard male and female skeletal structures: pelvises, finger lengths (albeit, fingers are not too defining), ribs, and so on. I also ask because my bone structure seems to be evenly split from the left side to the right side. My right clavicle is very large and pronounced whilst my left clavicle is very "delicate" and not pronounced in comparison; my right hand's ring finger is longer than my index finger by a considerable length, but it's not as noticeable on my left hand; my right hip bone is not very pronounced, but my left hip bone definitely flares (I'm slender, so it's not an uneven distribution of fat, it's the bones); and even my feet/toes are different from right to left side but there isn't really a difference between male and female feet in the bones (not that I know of, anyway?). Interestingly enough, my left foot (how the toes align) is just like my mum's, in the meantime, my right foot is just like my dad's so it stays in theme. My face is even androgynous, I can easy pull off male or female depending how I "dress myself up" (or don't). The only thing I don't think is too different (to my knowledge, no X-rays to confirm) is my ribs aren't that different?
I'm probably reading too much into it, but I can't help but wonder. There have even been tales where I was always thought to be one sex up until birth (that sex was announced when I came out), but then that was claim was apparently a mistake - I don't know any more details than that. My birth-given name (legal) is 100% unisexed, but I do have a secondary "unofficial" middle name for the sex I was supposed to be that has sometimes (but not often) been used. I'm also an artist, so I go to school and do nude figure drawings and my genitals are both alike and not alike the people of the same sex, though that isn't my concern since genitals vary from person-to-person.
So, what do you think? What do you know? Is intersexuality defined by bones as well as sex cells and organs? Is this something I should bring up with my doctor? Aside from my lack of assurance, I don't have any medical problems relating to such (that I know of) so it's probably unnecessary.
Anyway, that's it for now, thanks ahead of time and have an awesome day! (Or try to, at least.)
I'm sorry, I've noticed there were many topics like "am I/is s/he intersexed," et cetera, and I don't mean to spam this area any more; however, I have some questions about intersexuality and I think this place would be the best to ask. Hope you don't mind!
Anyway, I know a [little] bit about ambiguous genitalia and how that is a defining trait in intersexed persons... but is there something beyond sex organs that defines intersexuality, like bones? I ask because of the slight differences between standard male and female skeletal structures: pelvises, finger lengths (albeit, fingers are not too defining), ribs, and so on. I also ask because my bone structure seems to be evenly split from the left side to the right side. My right clavicle is very large and pronounced whilst my left clavicle is very "delicate" and not pronounced in comparison; my right hand's ring finger is longer than my index finger by a considerable length, but it's not as noticeable on my left hand; my right hip bone is not very pronounced, but my left hip bone definitely flares (I'm slender, so it's not an uneven distribution of fat, it's the bones); and even my feet/toes are different from right to left side but there isn't really a difference between male and female feet in the bones (not that I know of, anyway?). Interestingly enough, my left foot (how the toes align) is just like my mum's, in the meantime, my right foot is just like my dad's so it stays in theme. My face is even androgynous, I can easy pull off male or female depending how I "dress myself up" (or don't). The only thing I don't think is too different (to my knowledge, no X-rays to confirm) is my ribs aren't that different?
I'm probably reading too much into it, but I can't help but wonder. There have even been tales where I was always thought to be one sex up until birth (that sex was announced when I came out), but then that was claim was apparently a mistake - I don't know any more details than that. My birth-given name (legal) is 100% unisexed, but I do have a secondary "unofficial" middle name for the sex I was supposed to be that has sometimes (but not often) been used. I'm also an artist, so I go to school and do nude figure drawings and my genitals are both alike and not alike the people of the same sex, though that isn't my concern since genitals vary from person-to-person.
So, what do you think? What do you know? Is intersexuality defined by bones as well as sex cells and organs? Is this something I should bring up with my doctor? Aside from my lack of assurance, I don't have any medical problems relating to such (that I know of) so it's probably unnecessary.
Anyway, that's it for now, thanks ahead of time and have an awesome day! (Or try to, at least.)
Title: Re: Intersexuality in the bone structure.
Post by: Jessica Merriman on April 03, 2014, 12:15:40 PM
Post by: Jessica Merriman on April 03, 2014, 12:15:40 PM
The best answer I can give is go to the site "North American Intersex Society". They are the compendium of information on Intersex conditions, terminology and other great information. :)
Title: Re: Intersexuality in the bone structure.
Post by: Avenue on April 03, 2014, 01:04:45 PM
Post by: Avenue on April 03, 2014, 01:04:45 PM
Fantastic, thank you. (:
Edit: I just realised that I've been to that site before but my questions weren't really answered. I suppose when I visit the doc's, I'll just ask him (or her. They like to change on a dime, yenno?). That's actually next week, but I'm not sure if a resident would know that much about the topic, though.
Edit: I just realised that I've been to that site before but my questions weren't really answered. I suppose when I visit the doc's, I'll just ask him (or her. They like to change on a dime, yenno?). That's actually next week, but I'm not sure if a resident would know that much about the topic, though.
Title: Re: Intersexuality in the bone structure.
Post by: Auroramarianna on June 17, 2014, 02:20:29 PM
Post by: Auroramarianna on June 17, 2014, 02:20:29 PM
You could be. Only a karyotype test will let you find out. Genitals don't really matter - you could have external genital of one sex and have internal gonads of another. Or, you could even have gonads match external genitalia and still be intersex. You stated you are very androgynus, I wouldn't really rely on skeletal differences, because it is very variable, but the fact that you can pull of female or male with ease could either mean you just possess androgynus features, or maybe something more.
You could have Mild Androgen Insentivity, which means you'd have male external genitalia and gonads, normal androgen levels, but be unable to respond to these hormones to some degree and therefore not fully masculinize. Facial hair, body hair, voice, skeleton may be affected to some degree: sparse body hair, high voice, etc. However, you could also be within the normal variation.
Hope you are able to figure it out, best wishes :)
You could have Mild Androgen Insentivity, which means you'd have male external genitalia and gonads, normal androgen levels, but be unable to respond to these hormones to some degree and therefore not fully masculinize. Facial hair, body hair, voice, skeleton may be affected to some degree: sparse body hair, high voice, etc. However, you could also be within the normal variation.
Hope you are able to figure it out, best wishes :)