Woman Born Without Uterus

[Gwendolynz]

This is keyed off the thread, "Woman Born Without Uterus".

Having genetic issues myself, I read everything I can find on the condition that is loosely called Intersex.

There are many (lots) of variations around what most would call XX (Female) and XY (Male) Genetics. About 2% of births fall outside the normal XX, XY designations. And, even births that fall into what we would call the normal category can have chemistry issues that prevent normal function. XX, XXY,XXYY, and so on are seen. Then, one can have Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome where a normal XY baby's body can not utilize testosterone and become masculine.

Often a child will develop almost into adulthood and find they are AIS, or something else and have no Uterus, or worse yet no Vagina also. All this is very sad, and Intersex folk learn the hard way to not tell. This issue is not simple and those who are ignorant can persecute these folk in a way that is hugely hurtful.

 

[SkyWriting]

This is keyed off the thread, "Woman Born Without Uterus".

Having genetic issues myself, I read everything I can find on the condition that is loosely called Intersex.

There are many (lots) of variations around what most would call XX (Female) and XY (Male) Genetics. About 2% of births fall outside the normal XX, XY designations. And, even births that fall into what we would call the normal category can have chemistry issues that prevent normal function. XX, XXY,XXYY, and so on are seen. Then, one can have Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome where a normal XY baby's body can not utilize testosterone and become masculine.

Often a child will develop almost into adulthood and find they are AIS, or something else and have no Uterus, or worse yet no Vagina also. All this is very sad, and Intersex folk learn the hard way to not tell. This issue is not simple and those who are ignorant can persecute these folk in a way that is hugely hurtful.

About one of ten people have genitalia that is not considered "normal" by health care practitioners. About one in fifteen hundred babies require consultation with a sex differentiation specialist to determine a child's sex. In the US, that's 240 per day.

 

[Gwendolynz]

About one of ten people have genitalia that is not considered "normal" by health care practitioners. About one in fifteen hundred babies require consultation with a sex differentiation specialist to determine a child's sex.

And, I was born in the days when Doctors were seen as Gods. The unilateral actions of mine has been a lifelong punishment. I can't say more.

 

[SkyWriting]

And, I was born in the days when Doctors were seen as Gods. The unilateral actions of mine has been a lifelong punishment. I can't say more.

In the days of old, decisions were made by doctors to "normalize" the physical attributes of children with consultation of parents. This was subject to the desires of parents and doctors. Modern medical methods have moved toward waiting to see how the child identifies first. But raising a child as an undetermined sex has it's shortcomings too. There is no simple answer but waiting is more common now.

 

[archer75]

The actions of doctors to "normalize" anything along these lines were evil.

 

[Gwendolynz]

In the days of old, decisions were made by doctors to "normalize" the physical attributes of children with consultation of parents. This was subject to the desires of parents and doctors. Modern medical methods have moved toward waiting to see how the child identifies first. But raising a child as an undetermined sex has it's shortcomings too. There is no simple answer but waiting is more common now.

I was born in 1947. My mother was not consulted. She said that I was in the Hospital more than a week after. How can people who did not live through that assume to know more than those that did?

 

[SkyWriting]

How can people who did not live through that assume to know more than those that did?

That's a good question. How would we determine if they did or not?

 

[Gwendolynz]

That's a good question. How would we determine if they did or not?

Perhaps just respect and compassion for each other.

 

[SkyWriting]

Perhaps just respect and compassion for each other.

That's a fine answer considering people don't all reveal their own backgrounds
on any given issue.

 

[Kylie]

But raising a child as an undetermined sex has it's shortcomings too. There is no simple answer but waiting is more common now.

My understanding is that a child will begin to recognise their gender identity from a reasonably young age, often about three or four. "Most children typically develop the ability to recognize and label stereotypical gender groups, such as girl, woman and feminine, and boy, man and masculine, between ages 18 and 24 months. Most also categorize their own gender by age 3 years." SOURCE

What shortcomings are there in allowing the child to wait a few years to see how they identify?