Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is multiple sex?
- How common is multiple sex?
- Signs & Symptoms
- What are the signs and symptoms of multiple sex?
- When should I see a doctor?
- Cause
- What causes multiple sex?
- Triggers
- What are the precipitating factors that increase the state of multiple sex?
- Diagnosis and Treatment
- How is multiple sex diagnosed?
- What are the treatments for multiple sexes?
- Home Remedies
- What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be made to treat multiple sex?
Definition
What is multiple sex?
Multiple sexes is a rare condition that occurs when the external genitals of a baby are not clear whether it is a boy or a girl. In sex babies, the genitals may not be properly formed. Another possibility is that the baby may have characteristics of both sexes. The external sex organs can be incompatible with the internal sex organs or with their genetic sex.
Multiple sex is not actually a disease. This is actually a sign of a condition that affects sexual development and is considered a disorder of sexual development.
Usually, multiple sexes are evident during or shortly after the baby is born. This condition can certainly be very sad news for the family. Your medical team will detect the cause of multiple sex and provide information.
How common is multiple sex?
Multiple sexes are more common in men than women. However, this condition can be overcome by reducing your risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.
Signs & Symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of multiple sex?
Doctors will likely be the first to notice this condition soon after the birth of your baby. However, in general, these sexual development disorders can be diagnosed before the birth of the baby. This depends on when the problem occurred during sexual development and what caused it. The characteristics of this condition vary in severity.
Babies who are genetically born as girls (with two X chromosomes) may show signs or symptoms, including:
- Enlargement of the clitoris, which can resemble a small penis
- The closure of the labia (vaginal lips), or labia, which consists of folds and resembles the scrotum
- A lump that feels like a testicle at the fusion of the labia
Babies who are genetically born male (with one X chromosome and one Y chromosome) can show symptoms of multiple sex, including:
- A condition in which the narrow passage that carries urine (urine) and semen does not fully extend to reach the tip of the penis
- An abnormally small penis with the urethral opening closer to the scrotum
- The absence of one or both testicles in what looks like the scrotum
- Undescended testes and scrotum that is empty and looks like a labia with or without a micropenis (very small penis)
When should I see a doctor?
Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent worsening of other medical conditions and emergencies, so consult your doctor as soon as possible to prevent this serious condition.
If you have any questions, consult your doctor. Everyone's body reacts differently. It is always best to discuss what is best for your situation with your doctor.
Cause
What causes multiple sex?
Multiple sexes is a condition that occurs when something goes wrong during pregnancy, thus interfering with the development of the fetus's genitals.
Disturbance in the stages of sex determination can result in a mismatch between the appearance of the external genitalia and sexual organs or genetics (XX or XY).
Some of the causes of this condition, namely:
- Lack of male hormones in a genetically male fetus can lead to multiple sex, while exposure to male hormones during development results in multiple sexes in genetic female fetuses.
- Mutations (changes) in certain genes can affect fetal sex development and cause multiple sex.
- Chromosomal abnormalities, such as an under or overexertion of sex chromosomes, can also cause this condition.
- In some cases, the cause of multiple sex may not be determined with certainty.
Triggers
What are the precipitating factors that increase the state of multiple sex?
You can be at a higher risk of developing this condition if you have a family history of the following:
- Unexplained death in early childhood
- Infertility, absence of menstruation, or excess facial hair in women
- Sex disorders
- Abnormal physical development during puberty
- Congenital (congenital) adrenal hyperplasia
Diagnosis and Treatment
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor for more information.
How is multiple sex diagnosed?
If the doctor suspects this condition, the doctor will perform a thorough examination to confirm the diagnosis.
Your doctor will likely order the following tests:
- Blood test to measure hormone levels
- Blood test to analyze chromosomes and determine genetic sex (XX or XY) or test for single gene disorders
- Ultrasound of the pelvis and abdomen to check for undescended testicles, uterus, or vagina
- X-ray studies use contrast dye to help clarify your anatomy
- In certain cases, minor surgery may be needed to take tissue samples of the reproductive organs of the newborn
What are the treatments for multiple sexes?
Drugs
Hormone drugs can help correct hormonal imbalances. For example, in genetic women with slight clitoral enlargement caused by mild to moderate cases of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, the right hormone levels can reduce the size of the genital tissue. Other children can use hormones around the time they normally go through puberty.
Operation
In children who have this disorder, surgery can be used to:
- Restores sexual function
- Creates more natural looking genitals
- The timing of surgery will depend on the specific situation of the child. Some doctors choose to postpone surgery until the person with the multiple sexes is old enough to participate in deciding the sex.
Home Remedies
What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be made to treat multiple sex?
Some helpful tips include:
- Ask your pediatrician to refer to a therapist or counselor who has experience helping people in this situation. In addition to counseling for families and children, you can get help from a variety of communities, ranging from communities of people with multiple sexes to communities engaged in sexuality, either face to face or face to face. on line .
- Choose not to know the gender of the baby until it is declared well by a doctor. Knowing that your newborn has multiple genitals can instantly turn a state of joy into a stressful crisis. Until the medical evaluation is fulfilled, try to avoid thinking whether your child is a boy or a girl.
- Consider delaying obtaining official birth documents (such as a birth certificate) until the test is complete and you have made a plan with the advice of your medical team. Give yourself time to study and think about these issues before answering difficult questions from family and friends.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.