As the book states, gender identity is how we identify sexually and what we call ourselves. The differences that result from people’s thinking about themselves as male or female are gender differences.Most people will accept their gender identity which matches their external appearance. However, there are some people who have a tough time trying to adapt to the body and identity they were given.
A genetic male who has low levels of testosterone or a mutation of the testosterone receptors may develop a female or intermediate appearance. A genetic female who is exposed to more testosterone than the average female can be partly masculinized. The most common cause of the condition and explanation is what is known to be congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), which is over development of
the adrenal glands from birth. People have 2 adrenal glands, one located on top of each of their kidneys. These glands make hormones, cortisol and aldosterone, that are essential for life. People who have congenital adrenal hyperplasia lack an enzyme that the adrenal gland needs to make the hormones. About 1 in 10,000 to 18,000 children are born with congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
Symptoms will vary, depending on the type of congenital adrenal hyperplasia someone has and their age when the disorder is diagnosed. Children with milder forms may not have signs or symptoms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia and may not be diagnosed until as late as adolescence. Girls with a more severe form often have abnormal genitals at birth and may be diagnosed before symptoms appear. Boys will appear normal at birth even if they have a more severe form. There is also a milder form of CAH. Girls with a milder form with have symptoms such as abnormal menstrual cycles or lack of one, excessive hair or facial growth, early appearance of pubic or armpit hair. Boys with the milder form would appear normal at birth, but would more than likely go through puberty at an earlier age.
Symptoms will vary, depending on the type of congenital adrenal hyperplasia someone has and their age when the disorder is diagnosed. Children with milder forms may not have signs or symptoms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia and may not be diagnosed until as late as adolescence. Girls with a more severe form often have abnormal genitals at birth and may be diagnosed before symptoms appear. Boys will appear normal at birth even if they have a more severe form. There is also a milder form of CAH. Girls with a milder form with have symptoms such as abnormal menstrual cycles or lack of one, excessive hair or facial growth, early appearance of pubic or armpit hair. Boys with the milder form would appear normal at birth, but would more than likely go through puberty at an earlier age.
I would not call this a disease, but I would refer to this as some sort of abnormality. There is treatment for trying to regulate the persons body to the sex that they are meant to be, like medications. There is other routes such as having surgery to correct abnormal looking genitals so that it looks like the person is only one sex. This is something that can confuse any person, especially when they are younger and they are trying to figure out who they are. Having congenital adrenal hyperplasia can be a really hard thing to live on, but there are support groups for people who are going through such things and treatment available...Here is a video that talks about the risks of having CAH and how dangerous it can be if not detected early on in life.
I found your blog post on congenital adrenal hyperplasia very interesting. I agree that people use the word 'disease' very liberally and calling something a disease makes it sound like an illness that can be cured with medicine. I'm not saying that this isn't a disease -- this is indeed a very serious lifelong condition that requires lifelong medical management treatment. I found your video very informative -- the statistic in it that stated that 1 in 100 people have CAH is staggering.
ReplyDeleteYou chose a very interesting topic to write on. You know, I can't imagine how parents of kids with moderate CAH do it. I know that we can now help the person cosmetically with reforming or forming their genital area but what happens in the case that the child is to small to be told what he wants to be. What decision that might be for the parent. Good Blog it was very informative.
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