Intersex
What is intersex?
A term for a variety of conditions in which a person is born with reproductive anatomy, sexual anatomy, or hormone levels outside what is generally considered “male” or “female.” Being intersex is naturally occurring variation in humans, and is not a medical problem. Because of this, surgeries or hormone therapy are not medically necessary.
Estimates suggest that 1-2 in every 100 people in the United States are intersex.
What are some characteristics?
There are many different ways to be intersex. Some people have genitals or internal sex organs that are outside the “male” and “female” categories (i.e. like a person with both ovarian and testicular tissue).
Other intersex people have a combination of chromosomes that, again, fall outside the typical “male” and “female” binary. For example, XXY, a popular combination in the intersex community.
Some people are born with external genitals that fall within the “male” and “female” categories, but either their chromosomes or internal organs do not.
How is it diagnosed?
If a person’s genitals look different when they are born, they might be diagnosed right then and there. But many intersex people might not know they’re intersex until puberty-age or later because of hormone levels, or delayed puberty.
Difference between intersex vs. trans
Intersex is a variety of conditions in which a person is born with reproductive anatomy, sexual anatomy, or chromosomes outside of what is generally considered male or female. It is not a gender identity.
Transgender is a gender identity in which a person does not identify with the sex they were assigned at birth.
Intersex people can be trans, and trans people can be intersex, but the two do not equal each other.
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