Intersex Conditions Essay

One is often taught that humans are born as either biologically male or female, but this simply isn’t always the case. Intersex individuals are those who were born with genetics and outer or inner genital structures that do not easily fit into “male” and “female categories. Various types of intersex conditions exist, from lacking certain internal sex organs (such as Turner’s syndrome, where the individual will be for all accounts female, but with no ovaries as a genotype of XO), to having both male and female internal sex organs (seen in persistent Müllerian duct syndrome) (Intersex Society of North America, n. d.). Intersex conditions occur most often because of abnormalities involving hormones in utero. These kinds of abnormalities include abnormally high
One survey of various pediatric care units asked if mental health professionals who knew how to handle intersex clients were involved in treatment. Many came back with responses that described either not having any at all on hand, or having one but having one that has no training on handling intersex clients whatsoever. One even responded by saying, “I answer ‘no’ with great regret,” (Leidolf, Curran, Scout, & Bradford, 2008, p. 237). Of the ones that do offer psychological support, many reported that despite offering the help, many families will decline it. As one response put it, “It’s offered to all, but not generally chosen. Strange, isn’t it,” (Leidolf, Curran, Scout, & Bradford, 2008, p. 238). Often, it seems that many of these care units only offer it sporadically, usually based on when the physician deems it as necessary in their eyes, despite the fact that many intersex individuals often end up having poor mental health as a result from their diagnosis (Leidolf, Curran, Scout, & Bradford, 2008, p.