I am intersex: ask me anything.

[MsXY]

Happy to answer any questions, no matter how personal.

When did you first become aware of the term "intersex", and when did you know what that meant for you?

In recent years there's been a lot of publicity and public awareness about trans people. Some people use intersex people as an example that people aren't binary. I would like to know if you feel this current hoo-ha is helping or hindering life for you or for intersex people in general.

Between five and ten years ago; couldn't say exactly. A long time after my initial diagnoses. I'm still not sure what it means to me as a term. I don't object to it.

Excuse the ignorance but what is inter sex ?

Are you genetically intersex eg XXY (is it Turner's syndrome) or just psychological?

@whiteroseredrose intersex is a physical condition to do with chromosomes.

I don't think it helps intersex people (although it doesn't necessarily hinder them either). Personally, I don't like being "lumped together" with either minority sexualities or transgender people as intersex conditions are biological not psychological.

It may prove that people aren't binary, but despite my chromosomes I am not ambivalent - or ambiguous - regarding my gender: I do not look or feel male in any way.

There is no such thing as "psychological intersex". I have Swyer Syndrome which means I am XY.

Incidentally, Turner's is not XXY, it's X0.

What do you think of the book 'Middlesex' by Jeffrey Eugenides?

Intersex is a genetic, congenital condition (or, more accurately, a range of conditions) whereby your chromosomes do not match your apparent gender, i.e. women who are XY.

Obviously for a woman to be XY - or, to put it another way, for a foetus with XY chromosomes not to develop into a male baby - something has to go wrong.

I haven't read Middlesex (good title!) but shall put it on my reading list!

When were you diagnosed, and in what circumstances?

So to put it bluntly : you look female from the outside but have make genitalia ? Is hat right ? Apologies if that’s wrong

Intersex people have (I think) indeterminate genitalia, but their chromosones are clearly male or female.

The OP gave the name of the syndrome so she has XY chromosomes but female genitalia.

I have another question, something I just read said some tissue can often become cancerous. Have you had it removed?

I was diagnosed as a teenager because I was showing no signs of starting puberty (is that what you mean by circumstances?).

LaMain - no, I have unambiguous female genitalia. If I had male genitalia I would have been assumed to be a boy, surely? I wouldn't have had any female secondary sexual characteristics at birth, nor was I born with long hair and wearing a dress. (Not offended, just puzzled!)

Do you have DC (I know some women with Swyer can conceive using donor eggs)?

At what stage do you talk to romantic partners about your condition? Do people usually respond sensibly?

Yes that's exactly what I meant, thanks.

@juneau that's incorrect, women with Swyer Syndrome have female genitalia and a uterus.

Intersex people have (I think) indeterminate genitalia, but their chromosones are clearly male or female.

No, this is a very common misconception. Some intersex conditions do have genital anomalies as a symptom, but not all. I am fortunate that that is not one of the symptoms of my condition.

Does that mean you are XY, but with female genitalia?

X-post, sorry

I have another question, something I just read said some tissue can often become cancerous. Have you had it removed

Yes, the risk is high and most women with my condition have had their streak gonads removed as an adolescent. I'm not clear whether mine were ovaries or testes (strictly speaking they were neither) but either way they do not function and are best removed.

Thank you for clarifying that and apologies for my misunderstanding.