Most people assume that there are just two sexes, male and .
Nothing could be further from the truth.
most people are familiar with the myth and not reality. There may .
be as many as 4% of births affected by some form of intersex .
condition.
From the obvious female and male, the term intersex (by the .
medical community) is used for the three major subgroups of .
hermaphrodites. One kind is called, true hermaphrodites, posses .
one testis and one ovary, producing sperm and egg. Second kind is .
called, male pseudherphrodites who have testes and some aspect of .
the female genitalia but no ovaries. Then the female .
pseudherphroditewho have ovaries and some aspects of a male .
genitalia but lack testes. .
Why don't we hear or know of hermaphrodites? Majority of .
them, live with silence, shame, and fear learned as children and .
teen. Intersexed people have a very hard time with personal issues, .
which surround being born different. The reason may be that they .
have been subjected to family, medical and societal proscription to .
talk about their bodies or medical status. Intersexuals who under .
go surgery as infants, undergo early physical trauma and may lead .
to long life trauma. And those who don't have surgery often grow .
up alone and confused. Surgery as young teens and adults to .
correct their bodies is also traumatic and may not have a .
satisfactory outcome.
Being a hermaphrodite is not a choice. We are who we are. .
There is no value judgment in being in one category or another. So .
it is up to us as individuals to be open about issues that are not .
necessary okay with society. .
.
.