Jump to content
  • Welcome to the TransPulse Forums!

    We offer a safe, inclusive community for transgender and gender non-conforming folks, as well as their loved ones, to find support and information.  Join today!

I suspect I may be intersex, I don't know what to do or how to confirm my suspicions.


magic8ball

Recommended Posts

Hi, this will be my first post on this site. I've never really interacted much with trans community or ever met an intersex person in general. I suspect I may be non binary but I don't particularly know how to go about dealing with that either.

 

However, I recently have begun to have some suspicions I may be intersex after some recent research. I don't know if I'm reading too much into things or if I'm misunderstanding what intersex is, or if I actually should try to see a doctor to confirm. If anyone has answers I would deeply appreciate it.

 

I guess I'll start by describing my experiences and the conditions I've been dealing with my whole life. I started puberty at around age 8 or 9, which as you can imagine for a young girl was quite mortifying. I don't believe that's exceptionally young or anything, but I don't know anyone else who started that early. It's also when I began to experience lots of acne, body hair, and even some hair on my face (although I have pretty light hair so it thankfully did not show too much). My mom took me to a dermatologist, where they essentially just told me to shave and put me on some acne treatments. None of them really worked, and a few years ago the only thing that seemed to work was a medication called spironolactone which I'm still on however I still occasionally experience acne and facial hair while on it but it's very manageable now. The dose I'm on is apparently very high for someone my height and weight.

 

Another thing of note is I don't experience periods all that often. I would think that I may experience a period three times a year or less since I started them very young. I also don't have breasts really, there is a bit of something but not much at all. I have a bit deeper voice than most other women I know.

 

I learned what intersex people were when my mom told me as a kid I had to have a procedure done because as an infant because I was born with I guess the uh, hole to my vagina being blocked or like sealed together almost. I also think I might have an enlarged clitoris but I genuinely have no idea. After learning this I did some research and stumbled on the word intersex and I could relate to some of the symptoms and conditions people talked about, as well as some common experiences for intersex people born female. I don't know if that makes me intersex at all, I guess I don't even really know what would constitute an intersex person.

 

I guess I don't know what to do or who to ask for advice. The weird thing about it all is that in private I actually kinda like it. Like I wish I wasn't on spironolactone because the facial hair and the deeper voice and everything kinda made me feel strangely good. I was really self conscious about it in public before I figured out ways to manage it, but I still kinda miss it.

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

Hi, @magic8ball.  Welcome!

 

It certainly sounds like you have reason to be suspicious about being intersex.  A doctor might be able to tell.  They would be able to refer you to a specialist if they don't know themselves.

 

You mother might be a person to ask.  It could be a difficult conversation, but she was there and should remember what she was told when you were born.

Link to comment
  • Admin

Your family doctor or HMO genetic counseling service would be a first step.  Another possibility would be the nearest university with a Medical School and medical research facility. Another would be your local chapter of Planned Parenthood.

 

I have talked with some young people with symptoms like yours, and they have been diagnosed with a specific condition that falls into the Intersex category.  At your age, the irregular periods should have been a signal to some part of your medical care team if you brought them up, so it is imperative that you take what you said to us and give it to them. 

Link to comment

I'm intersex, assigned female at birth.  I didn't really know until last year, when a visit to a good doctor gave me a lot more information.  

 

Based on your anatomical description, you might be intersex.  Like you, I didn't get breasts.  Enlarged private features, and somewhat incomplete female reproductive function. Some intersex people have atypical hormone levels that can affect puberty. 

 

From what I have learned, it seems that being intersex looks and feels different for each person.  My body came with some crazy and unique plumbing in spite of apparently average female chromosomes.  

Link to comment
10 hours ago, awkward-yet-sweet said:

I'm intersex, assigned female at birth.  I didn't really know until last year, when a visit to a good doctor gave me a lot more information.  

 

Based on your anatomical description, you might be intersex.  Like you, I didn't get breasts.  Enlarged private features, and somewhat incomplete female reproductive function. Some intersex people have atypical hormone levels that can affect puberty. 

 

From what I have learned, it seems that being intersex looks and feels different for each person.  My body came with some crazy and unique plumbing in spite of apparently average female chromosomes.  

Would it be invasive to ask what process you went through with the doctor to find this out? Did you see an OBGYN to discover this, or have a pelvic ultrasound or something similar?

Link to comment

I went to an OBGYN who waz recommended for being LGBTQ+ friendly, and at least somewhat knowledgeable about transgender issues.  Since I live in a rural area, I had to travel to a big city for a doctor like that is available.  My intersex body looks close enough to female normal on the surface that the doctors I saw in my youth had not figured out why I'm different.  

 

I ended up having multiple scans, including pelvic ultrasound.  My process is likely somewhat different from what yours would be. My internal anatomy is unique enough that initially my doctor was concerned about cancer.  It turned out that I'm fine, but what was supposed to be a couple of appointments turned into a couple of very tense days. 

 

Link to comment
1 hour ago, awkward-yet-sweet said:

I went to an OBGYN who waz recommended for being LGBTQ+ friendly, and at least somewhat knowledgeable about transgender issues.  Since I live in a rural area, I had to travel to a big city for a doctor like that is available.  My intersex body looks close enough to female normal on the surface that the doctors I saw in my youth had not figured out why I'm different.  

 

I ended up having multiple scans, including pelvic ultrasound.  My process is likely somewhat different from what yours would be. My internal anatomy is unique enough that initially my doctor was concerned about cancer.  It turned out that I'm fine, but what was supposed to be a couple of appointments turned into a couple of very tense days. 

 

Oh wow I can imagine that being really scary. I'm glad you're doing well. Being intersex sounds like the best possible outcome from that lol.

 

Thank you though, I made an appointment with an OBGYN in my city. I really need to get the menstruation stuff checked and out of the way though because this has been going on since I was little kid and I've never bothered to talk to a doctor about it really just due to embarrassment and fear because I had a sense that my anatomy might be slightly different and for a long time I didn't want anyone to see. I feel more prepared to go forward with going to the doctors now though, and I may ask about a pelvic ultrasound because I have some symptoms of PCOS regardless.

 

Thank you so much for your help, would it bother you if I possibly reached out in the future with other questions if anything comes up? You're the only person online who I've seen talk about that process openly and it's kinda a relief to hear that someone else seems to be experiencing a somewhat similar situation as an adult as well.

Link to comment
  • Admin

@magic8ball  Get a couple more posts made, and then you will be able to use our Personal Mail system to other members.  You have 3 posts as of this one, and need 5 to activate the PM system.

Link to comment
1 minute ago, VickySGV said:

@magic8ball  Get a couple more posts made, and then you will be able to use our Personal Mail system to other members.  You have 3 posts as of this one, and need 5 to activate the PM system.

Thank you for letting me know! Forgot to respond to your previous post as well, thank you I contacted a doctor and I'm going to attempt to sort this out in the coming weeks. Deeply appreciate the help and support I've received on this forum so far.

Link to comment
  • Admin

No response needed, I read what you reported you had done.  I am glad you are having a good time here and getting information you need.  I have had a couple of tests involving my actual genetic structure as well. One pinpointed a double allele gene for a blood issue. Interestingly enough it is a condition that is twice as likely to happen to Trans folks as the Cis population.  The other found an area where my Testosterone receptors were not going to function 100%  I did not mention the PCOS but had been thinking about it.  My former daughter-in-law had a stress induced battle with it, although I have 3 grandchildren from she and my son's marriage.  (They are still co-parents.)   I was just reading an article on Turners Syndrome which is a genetic problem for women involving extra X chromosomes and it also produces a symptom or two like you described.   

Link to comment
7 hours ago, magic8ball said:

Oh wow I can imagine that being really scary. I'm glad you're doing well. Being intersex sounds like the best possible outcome from that lol.

 

...would it bother you if I possibly reached out in the future with other questions if anything comes up?

 

Yeah, it was scary.  I don't handle medical stuff well anyways, so I definitely didn't go alone.  Even before my appointment, I let my doctor know that my husband and GF would be with me.  She wasn't bothered by my need to remain in near constant physical contact with them.  If you have any worries about it, make sure you let your doctor know so they aren't surprised, and hopefully you can get assurance that your needs will be accommodated.

 

I definitely get the embarrassment and fear!  When I was dealing with puberty, the doctor mentioned to my mother that my anatomy looks a bit different.  My mother proceeded to traumatize me about it, telling me that no man would marry me (among other insults).  I stayed away from doctors for years because of this, and that fear kept me from having a relationship of any kind until I was 26.  I couldn't get past the fear of being rejected, so it

took me even longer to become comfortable in an intimate relationship.  I've mostly overcome it at this point. 

 

If you want, you can PM me.  As I've said, our experiences/circumstances are likely to be different, but I'm happy to share if you find it helpful.  😊

 

Link to comment
  • 2 months later...
On 3/3/2023 at 5:42 PM, magic8ball said:

Hi, this will be my first post on this site. I've never really interacted much with trans community or ever met an intersex person in general. I suspect I may be non binary but I don't particularly know how to go about dealing with that either.

 

However, I recently have begun to have some suspicions I may be intersex after some recent research. I don't know if I'm reading too much into things or if I'm misunderstanding what intersex is, or if I actually should try to see a doctor to confirm. If anyone has answers I would deeply appreciate it.

 

I guess I'll start by describing my experiences and the conditions I've been dealing with my whole life. I started puberty at around age 8 or 9, which as you can imagine for a young girl was quite mortifying. I don't believe that's exceptionally young or anything, but I don't know anyone else who started that early. It's also when I began to experience lots of acne, body hair, and even some hair on my face (although I have pretty light hair so it thankfully did not show too much). My mom took me to a dermatologist, where they essentially just told me to shave and put me on some acne treatments. None of them really worked, and a few years ago the only thing that seemed to work was a medication called spironolactone which I'm still on however I still occasionally experience acne and facial hair while on it but it's very manageable now. The dose I'm on is apparently very high for someone my height and weight.

 

Another thing of note is I don't experience periods all that often. I would think that I may experience a period three times a year or less since I started them very young. I also don't have breasts really, there is a bit of something but not much at all. I have a bit deeper voice than most other women I know.

 

I learned what intersex people were when my mom told me as a kid I had to have a procedure done because as an infant because I was born with I guess the uh, hole to my vagina being blocked or like sealed together almost. I also think I might have an enlarged clitoris but I genuinely have no idea. After learning this I did some research and stumbled on the word intersex and I could relate to some of the symptoms and conditions people talked about, as well as some common experiences for intersex people born female. I don't know if that makes me intersex at all, I guess I don't even really know what would constitute an intersex person.

 

I guess I don't know what to do or who to ask for advice. The weird thing about it all is that in private I actually kinda like it. Like I wish I wasn't on spironolactone because the facial hair and the deeper voice and everything kinda made me feel strangely good. I was really self conscious about it in public before I figured out ways to manage it, but I still kinda miss it.

I was born intersex, and have plumbing for both. My parents decided to leave things be and assigned me male, opposite of your case. 

Puberty decided that the doctor and my parents made the wrong choice. That is basically when things do go south when choices were made in error. 

In my case I grew curves and breasts, I still have them. 

Lack of muscle mass and facial/body hair took me to a sports doctor in my 20's. I did 2 years of testosterone treatments that really only made me gain muscle and facial hair. I still look like a woman. 

You need to talk to your doctor about things. He will order several tests including an ultrasound and chromosomes test. 

There the doctor will change your records to reflect intersex, although it doesn't really changed anything much more than that. 

In my case I have just accepted that I am "female", that's how I look and feel. I'll live what my body wants to lead me. 

Perhaps in your case your body is leaning the other direction, and the body knows best. It knows what it is. 

Might go see counseling as well. I did 😉

 

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Who's Online   1 Member, 0 Anonymous, 117 Guests (See full list)

    • Sally Stone
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      80.6k
    • Total Posts
      768k
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      12,015
    • Most Online
      8,356

    Quillian
    Newest Member
    Quillian
    Joined
  • Today's Birthdays

    1. Bowie Ellis
      Bowie Ellis
      (19 years old)
    2. Damien Mcknight
      Damien Mcknight
      (18 years old)
    3. JJ
      JJ
      (77 years old)
    4. KathyLauren
      KathyLauren
      (70 years old)
    5. memyselfandwe
      memyselfandwe
      (44 years old)
  • Posts

    • Carolyn Marie
      https://apnews.com/article/title-ix-sexual-assault-transgender-sports-d0fc0ab7515de02b8e4403d0481dc1e7   The revised regulations don't touch on trans athletes; which I totally understand, as that's become a third rail issue and this is an election year.  But the other changes seem pretty sensible, and will obviously result in immediate right wing lawsuits.   Carolyn Marie
    • missyjo
      darling you have wonderful taste..I especially love the red dress n sneaker outfit   enjoy   missy
    • Carolyn Marie
      Very well said, @Abigail Genevieve, and very true.  Thank you.   Carolyn Marie
    • Susan R
      Trans Group Zoom Meeting Tomorrow!!   Trans Group Zoom Meeting Times: April 20, 2024 6:00 PM Pacific Time April 20, 2024 8:00 PM Central Time April 21, 2024 11:00 AM Australia/Melbourne   Message me for the meeting link if you’d like to attend.   *Hugs* Susan R🌷
    • Susan R
      They may win a few battles but not the war! as @Davie pointed out there is little truth if it full of lies, inconsistencies, and ignores evidence to the contrary. I saw this article earlier and have to agree here. Truth will win. This isn’t the first time this tactic has been tried. Always stick with the truth!
    • Susan R
      Welcome @violet r! Glad you joined our forum and got through the hardest part…that first post. As many have mentioned, we are more than accepting here as we affirm your gender identity and hold no judgement, whatsoever. There’s so much here on this forum, I think you’ll find very helpful. If you have trouble finding an answer just reach out, try the search but starting a new thread is usually best to get some quick answers. Many are here for various transgender related issues but many, if not all, are here to help one another if we can. It’s great to have you onboard.   Warmest Regards, Susan R🌷
    • Willow
      good evening   good day at work today.  I did do some things a little out of normal but everything was completed successfully.  As I said earlier, the Asst Mgr was my second today.  I don’t think she was too happy about that.  Several customers asked her where Richard was her answer was the manager cut his hours.  Well that is only part of the story,  his hours were cut just like mine were and several others but in his case he made demands about his hours that couldn’t be met.  But instead of making some non complaining remark about it she made sure to lay it all on the manager, thus throwing the manager under the bus.  Similarly when asked why she hadn’t been at work early mornings, she said she was being punished by the manager.  Well that’s partly true, she wouldn’t do what the manager told her to do so she took her off opening.  But secondarily she didn’t have a car to drive temporarily.  You can’t open the store without a car because who ever opens has tasks that require them to leave the store, so it was  at least partly her own fault.  But she chose to throw the manager under the bus for that.  I think she is asking to be fired for insubordination.  And if the manager gets these conversations off the security tape tomorrow she just might get her wish.   im pretty close to being ready to take the asst position but there isn’t anyone ready to take over my job, at least not at our store.  I suppose the other shift lead could if she is able to work earlier shifts and if the other closers were just a bit more reliable.   Ive been wanting some homefried chicken.  We found a BBQ place not far away that had such a chicken but I is made fresh when ordered so it has a 30 minute wait.  It was worth the wait and the other things we tried were also good.  Another restaurant on the list.  At least half of what we ordered came home for another meal.   i get to sleep in tomorrow, I go to work at 1:30!   Willow
    • Abigail Genevieve
      It was nine thirty.  Saturday morning had rolled around more quickly than Taylor could believe.  She groaned, whined, thought of a million excuses why she should just stay in bed and knock the alarm across the room.  But it would still be going on, and so would the promise to Bob: when the gi came in, she would be in. There it was in its nice package, out where she could not miss it.  Why didn't she hide it?  She shook her head.   Up she got.  Sometimes you just do.  Her hair was a wreck. She patted it down and went to the bathroom.  Nine forty five. Shower later. No make up. She hated kara-tay especially at an ungodly early hour on a Saturday morning. Bagel. Instant coffee.  She was five minutes away when she realized she had forgotten the gi.  Back she went.   Into the dojo.  She had about five minutes to get the gi on.  She attempted to slip in unnoticed and go to the little restroom. Someone barked something out in Japanese or something, and there was a dead silence.  She turned to see what was going on. Both classes were getting into their lines, but everyone, including Bob, was bowing slightly. To her. Bob nodded, and she returned the bow.  Life started again. She was touched.   Bowing three times. Oath. Kata.  She was facing off with Judy as her partner.  Judy looked worried.   "Sometimes you just gotta pick yourself up and try again," Taylor told her. She nodded. "Let's do this."   Lunge punch and lower block.  They traded off like nothing had happened the last weekend.  Lunge punch and middle block. Lunge punch and upper block.  It was kind of like dancing. Taylor enjoyed it.  She wanted to learn more.  Brown-belt Maggie adjusted position of limbs and hips for both Taylor and Judy, telling them when she was about to do something: elbow up a bit".    "How'd you do?" Bob asked her later.  They had both gone home and showered. Now they were in a booth at a fast food place.   "I was kind of disappointed class ended. I was ready for more."   "That's my trooper."   "I'm not allowing you in my apartment until we are married," she said suddenly.   "You think I am a problem?"   "No.  I think you are safe. You passed the test  I am the problem here."   "Okay."   "What did the doctor tell you?"   "It's complicated.  More tests coming.  Like getting into college.  I got a letter back.  It seems there is this big fat M on my transcript and my current picture is not an M type picture.  I have to write a letter and send them notarized proofs and stuff. Just delays. This is a pain. Nothing cut and dried."   "I will say.  I'm glad I'm not transgender."   "Hah. You are pulled into my world.  You are involved in this stuff as much as I am, and, as you put it, of your own free will."   "You are worth it."   "I hope so."   "I know so."      
    • Abigail Genevieve
      On the way back to her desk she was interrupted by six short, urgent conversations that had to be attended to. Then she slipped into the women's room and locked the stall door.  She took a deep breath, then another, and allowed herself to shake for five minutes,  Then deep breathing, ten in and ten out, stretch up, touch the floor, neck rolls and she was fine. She used the toilet and a woman knocked and said, "Taylor, are you okay?"   "Ready to conquer the world!"  on her way out she found her makeup was fine.  Three stalls, two sinks.  If she ever designed a women's room with three stalls, there would be four sinks, with plenty of space to plunk your stuff down between them.   She met a deferential Karen.  "Here is the branding I came up with," she said.  And she went back to working as hard as Brenda and Mary, who looked up worriedly and then went back to the proposal.   Shortly before 5:00 she received an email with the title Consolidation and Compensation.  In it she learned that the position of office manager was eliminated, and the current office manager was to become the chief executive officer. The former CEO, along with the CFO, the chief legal officer, and sundry staff, had been terminated, per the Board of Directors.  Effective immediately everyone would receive a base salary of $20,000 with a commission to be set by the individual's supervisor.  Each supervisor would be given a certain percentage to distribute.  Most functions they had been handled would be outsourced as needed.   "The question of what profit was made last year is frequent enough to be answered.  The company lost over 500,000 in fiscal 2023.  At this point further cuts are not anticipated.  We will be strategically adding positions that will enhance our profits. Hard work is expected of everyone."   Her two web guys had been complaining because their games had been remotely uninstalled.  After the memo came out they were absolutely silent.  That gave her an idea, and after an exchange of emails they were reassigned to maintenance out at the plant, effective tomorrow morning.  There were lots of weeds that needed pulling, if nothing else. That email went out after they left early, for the day.  The maintenance foreman was a no-nonsense type who did not tolerate slacking, and they would learn a thing or two.  This also freed up two spaces for her to put new people.
    • MaeBe
      So…I didn’t know your Facebook avatar was public. So, on my birthday, a couple people used a group avatar message to wish me a happy birthday…and now my Facebook friends can see a short video of my female avatar dancing with an old friend’s and another with my uncle’s avatars. So am I “Facebook out” now? 😬
    • Davie
      No, they are not. Truth wins in the end and this report is full of lies that poison the whole thing: see this: "Dr. Cass Backpedals From Review: HRT, Blockers Should Be Made Available it's said. Dr. Cass's latest statements are likely to cast more doubt on the validity of the study, which has come under fire for disregarding substantial evidence on trans care." https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/dr-cass-backpedals-from-review-hrt?publication_id=994764&post_id=143743897&isFreemail=true&r=rebf4&triedRedirect=true I hope Dr. Cass wins The Mengele Award for it.
    • Adrianna Danielle
      Boyfriend and I went to a support group for spouses dating or married to a transgender person on Tuesday night for the first time.It was amazing meeting other couples like us.One was a genetic woman whom has been dating a transgender male for the first time and she is supporting his transition.Us,they were amazed by us agreeing on something we said,love and acceptance have brought us together
    • Abigail Genevieve
      By which I mean there is a cultural stereotype of what a man is, and one of what a woman is.  Even worse, of what a transgender person is.   You be you.   I read of a boy who thought he was a girl because he did not adhere to some (rather toxic) conceptions of what it means to be a man, so he decided he was a girl.  He was told he didn't have to conform to stereotype and got happy. "You mean I don't have to transition?" He didn't want to, and was relieved.   Once upon a time if you were transgender they told you either you transition or die.   Incorporate the best of what it means to be a man and the best of what it means to be a woman as much as you possibly can, and let the rest go.  Be fully human. Be alive. Don't conform to some cultural crud.
    • Abigail Genevieve
      On the way back to her desk she was interrupted by six short, urgent conversations that had to be attended to. Then she slipped into the women's room and locked the stall door.  She took a deep breath, then another, and allowed herself to shake for five minutes,  Then deep breathing, ten in and ten out, stretch up, touch the floor, neck rolls and she was fine. She used the toilet and a woman knocked and said, "Taylor, are you okay?"   "Ready to conquer the world!"  on her way out she found her makeup was fine.  Three stalls, two sinks.  If she ever designed a women's room with three stalls, there would be four sinks, with plenty of space to plunk your stuff down between them.   She met a deferential Karen.  "Here is the branding I came up with," she said.  And she went back to working as hard as Brenda and Mary, who looked up worriedly and then went back to the proposal.   Shortly before 5:00 she received an email with the title Consolidation and Compensation.  In it she learned that the position of office manager was eliminated, and the current office manager was to become the chief executive officer. The former CEO, along with the CFO, the chief legal officer, and sundry staff, had been terminated, per the Board of Directors.  Effective immediately everyone would receive a base salary of $20,000 with a commission to be set by the individual's supervisor.  Each supervisor would be given a certain percentage to distribute.  Most functions they had been handled would be outsourced as needed.   "The question of what profit was made last year is frequent enough to be answered.  The company lost over 500,000 in fiscal 2023.  At this point further cuts are not anticipated.  We will be strategically adding positions that will enhance our profits. Hard work is expected of everyone."   Her two web guys had been complaining because their games had been remotely uninstalled.  After the memo came out they were absolutely silent.  That gave her an idea, and after an exchange of emails they were reassigned to maintenance out at the plant, effective tomorrow morning.  There were lots of weeds that needed pulling, if nothing else. That email went out after they left early, for the day.  The maintenance foreman was a no-nonsense type who did not tolerate slacking, and they would learn a thing or two.  This also freed up two spaces for her to put new people.
    • Davie
      Except for this thung thwister: Theophilus Thistle, the successful thistle sifter, in sifting a sieve full of unsifted thistles, thrust three-thousand thistles through the thick of his thumb. Now if, Theophilus Thistle, the successful thistle sifter, in sifting a sieve full of of unsifted thistles, thrust three-thousand thistles through the thick of his thumb, how many thistles can'st thou thrust through the thick of thy thumb . . . in sifting a sieve-full of unsifted thistles? Success to the successful thistle sifter!
  • Upcoming Events

Contact TransPulse

TransPulse can be contacted in the following ways:

Email: Click Here.

To report an error on this page.

Legal

Your use of this site is subject to the following rules and policies, whether you have read them or not.

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
DMCA Policy
Community Rules

Hosting

Upstream hosting for TransPulse provided by QnEZ.

Sponsorship

Special consideration for TransPulse is kindly provided by The Breast Form Store.
×
×
  • Create New...