What is intersex, diagnosis by Karen Bachini – 03/22/2023 – Equilíbrio

In a video published on social media this Tuesday (21), influencer Karen Bachini announced that she is an intersex person. The term is used to define people who have differences in traditional sexual development, but this condition is still little known by the general population.

According to the UN (United Nations), about 0.05% to 1.7% of the world’s population is born with intersex characteristics. These characteristics, however, can be different in each individual and are unrelated to gender and sexuality.

What characterizes intersex people?

The characteristics of the reproductive system –from the formation of the genitalia to the gonads that produce female or male hormones– are determined by the sex chromosomes.

In general, males have XY chromosomes, while females have XX chromosomes.

In intersex people, changes occur that modify the development of organs, and some of the characteristics of biological sex may not be so demarcated.

“The medical term for this is DDS (Differences in Sexual Development)”, says endocrinologist Júlio Américo, a member of SBEM-SP (Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism – Regional São Paulo) and a volunteer at the Transgender and DDS/Intersex clinics from the Faculty of Medicine of USP (University of São Paulo).

“When these differences cause clinical or social interference, many people begin to call themselves intersex”, he says.

Different types

According to Américo, there are different types of intersexuality. There is a scientific categorization, but “each case is different”.

In some types, there is change in the genitalia, in others only in the internal organs or in hormone production.

In all cases, follow-up with specialized professionals is recommended to avoid fertility problems, discomfort in sex life and risks related to hormone production.

How is identification done?

The identification of an intersex person by health professionals can be done in several ways, and depends on their characteristics and problems presented.

When there is atypical genitalia, the investigation starts from the moment the pediatrician identifies this difference. “In other cases, the investigation starts later, when there are differences in puberty, absence of menstruation, or fertility problems, for example”, says Américo.

Importance of medical follow-up

The expert says that monitoring is important from childhood to identify and seek to treat hormonal changes that may cause harm in the future.

Early follow-up can avoid dissatisfaction with height or the risk of developing tumors in certain types of intersexuality. But “in some cases, no therapy is needed,” he says.

Américo points out that surgical interventions are recommended when the patient is dissatisfied or when there are fertility problems. In children, it can be waited until the patient is old enough to consent.

“Usually, the biggest problems come from society’s lack of understanding”, reports the specialist.