17-beta Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase 3 Deficiency (17 beta or 17-beta HSD)
People with XY chromosomes and testes lack one of the enzymes necessary for testosterone synthesis. Most are born with a vulva and vagina, and their testes are often undescended. Some may have genitals that do not clearly resemble a typical penis or vulva. Others may have a penis smaller than typical (micropenis) with the urethra […]
2SLGBTQI+
This acronym represents Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, & additional people who identify as part of sexual and gender diverse communities. 2SLGBTQI+ 2S at the front, recognizes Two-Spirit people as the first 2SLGBTQI+ communities L Lesbian G Gay B Bisexual T Transgender Q Queer I Intersex, considers sex characteristics beyond sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. + is inclusive of […]
5-alpha reductase deficiency (5-ARD)
Individuals with XY chromosomes and testes produce typical levels of testosterone but lack the enzyme needed to convert testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This affects the development of their external sex characteristics, often leading to genital differences noticeable at birth, which can include a smaller-than-typical penis, genitals that do not clearly resemble a typical penis or […]
Ambiguous genitalia
Ambiguous genitalia is a rare condition where a child is born with outer genitals that do not clearly look either male or female. They may have features of both sexes or not be fully developed. The characteristics of the child’s genitals may not match their internal sex organs or their genetic sex. This condition is […]
Binary norm
Binary norm is the concept of a binary sex system, where each and every one of us is categorized exclusively as either male or female. This is a social construct rather than a biological reality. Life is a whole spectrum, and intersex variations, which occur naturally, are examples of this diversity. The binary sex model adopted […]
Bodily Autonomy
Intersex bodily autonomy refers to the fundamental human right of individuals born with variations in sex characteristics to make their own decisions about their bodies. The issue is a central focus of human rights advocacy, primarily due to the historic and ongoing practice of performing medically unnecessary, irreversible surgeries on intersex infants and children without […]
Chromosomes
Chromosomes are threadlike structures made of protein and a single molecule of DNA that serve to carry the genomic information from cell to cell. In plants and animals (including humans), chromosomes reside in the nucleus of cells. Humans have 22 pairs of numbered chromosomes (autosomes) and one pair of sex chromosomes (XX or XY), for […]
Cisgender
Cisgender is an individual whose gender identity aligns with their sex assigned at birth. A cisgender man or cisgender woman is thus one whose internal gender identity matches, and presents itself in accordance with, the externally determined cultural expectations of the behavior and roles considered appropriate for one’s assigned sex as male or female. Source
Classic CAH
A genetic variations that affect the enzymes allowing the adrenal glands to produce specific hormones regulating body functions. People with CAH do not consistently produce the required amounts of cortisol (stress/sickness response), aldosterone (potassium/sodium regulation), or both, and may naturally produce higher-than-typical levels of androgens like testosterone to compensate. Classic CAH is characterized by more […]
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)
A group of related genetic variations that affect the enzymes allowing the adrenal glands to produce specific hormones regulating body functions. People with CAH do not consistently produce the required amounts of cortisol (stress/sickness response), aldosterone (potassium/sodium regulation), or both, and may naturally produce higher-than-typical levels of androgens like testosterone to compensate. People with XX […]