Nearly 2 in every 100 people are born intersex. Yet intersex traits are still so stigmatized that many people face medical discrimination, and some are even subjected to intersex genital mutilation — non-lifesaving, nonconsensual surgeries to change natural variations in their reproductive anatomy. Infant intersex surgeries often come with serious lifelong emotional and physical consequences, high complication rates, and reduced sexual function. When done without the individual’s informed consent, the United Nations considers these surgeries as human rights violations.
Increasing research shows devastating emotional and physical consequences of nonconsensual surgeries, and lifelong social problems for adults, including poverty and higher suicide rates. Recent research connects mental health issues among youth directly to intersex genital mutilation, with much more positive health outcomes for those intersex people who can make their own decisions about their own bodies.
It is important for providers, parents, and all those who care for intersex people to research the possible health outcomes of their decision-making.
Books
Articles
- The Largest Study of Intersex People in U.S. Is Here, and It’s Alarming (2020)
- Why Intersex Patients Need the Truth and Doctors Need to Listen (2017)
- Research Into Outcomes of Treatment for Children with Differences of Sex Development Demands Caution (2012)
- What Hospitalists Should Know About Intersex Adults (2017)
- Largest Ever Survey Of Intersex Australians Shows High Rates Of Suicide, Poverty (2016)
- Prenatal dexamethasone adversely affects cognitive function in healthy girls (2016)
- Intersex Stories and Statistics from Australia (2016)
- Voices – Personal Stories from the Pages of NIB – Normalizing Intersex (2016)
- Letter to the Editor: In response to ‘Managing Variation in Sex Development,’ Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism (2006)
Studies
- Experiences and Mental Health Outcomes among Intersex LGBTQ+ Young People (2024)
- Perspectives on conducting “sex-normalising” intersex surgeries conducted in infancy: A systematic review (2024)
- The Mental Health and Well-being of LGBTQ Youth who are Intersex (2021)
- DSD/Intersex: Gaps in Psychosocial Care for Children (2018)
- Objective Cosmetic and Anatomical Outcomes at Adolescence of Feminising Surgery for Ambiguous Genitalia Done in Childhood (2001)
- Timing of Elective Surgery on the Genitalia of Male Children With Particular Reference to the Risks, Benefits, and Psychological Effects of Surgery and Anesthesia (1996)
Data from Experiences and Mental Health Outcomes among Intersex LGBTQ+ Young People (2024) from the Trevor Project
Additional References to Cite
Thank you to interACT Board member Elizabeth Reis for providing the following list of additional resources:
Crouch, N. S., Liao, L.-M., Woodhouse, C. R. J., Conway, G.S., & Creighton, S. M. (2008). Genital sensitivity and sexual
function following childhood cosmetic genital surgery: Results based on women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Journal of Urology, 179, 634–638.
Ellens, R. E., Bakula, D. M., Mullins, A. J., Reyes, K. J. S., Austin, P., Baskin, L., . . . Galan, D. (2017). Psychological adjustment of parents of children born with atypical genitalia 1 year after genitoplasty. Journal of Urology, 198, 914–920.
Liao, L.-M., Conway, G. S., Ismail-Pratt, I., Bikoo, M., & Creighton, S. M. (2011). Emotional and sexual wellness and quality of life in women with Rokitansky syndrome. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 205, 117. e1–117.e6.
Liao, L.-M., Hegarty, P., Creighton, S., Lundberg, T., & Roen, K. (2019). Clitoral surgery on minors: An interview study
with clinical experts of differences of sex development. BMJ Open, 9, Article e025821. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025821