BillsFanNC Posted 57 minutes ago Author Posted 57 minutes ago Hey look.... science! The most misunderstood aspect of sex development is that DSDs somehow disprove the sex binary. They actually reinforce it. This is because DSDs have helped reveal the mechanics behind how the sex binary is produced, and accurate medical treatment requires knowing these mechanics and knowing the affected person's sex. For example, rare XX males exist because of a translocation of the SRY gene onto an X. SRY encodes testes--the master regulator of male development. In studying XX males, we discover that they are missing the AZF region for mature sperm development (located on the Y chromosome), and the double dose of escape genes from the two Xs harms their development, requiring testosterone supplementation. Treatment requires 1) knowing their sex is male and 2) knowing what components are missing. Another example involves severe Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in XX females. Overproduction of androgen from the adrenals causes the external genitals to masculinize (growth of the ***** and fusion of the labia). Over time, this excess androgen can also impair the ovaries. Such affected females can also experience a salt-wasting crisis from the unbalanced adrenal glands, causing critically low salt levels in the body and severe dehydration, vomiting, and shock. Treatment requires 1) knowing their sex is female and 2) knowing the mechanics behind what is causing their development to be atypical. These are just two of the 25 conditions covered in detail in The Sex Development Handbook, the first accessible, visual guide to map human sex development and 25 DSDs. Featuring full-page, color-coded diagrams and detailed commentary, the handbook is designed for students, educators, professionals, and anyone wanting to understand how we all develop as males or females. Releasing in about a month! 🔗 Sign up here for exclusive updates and a sample at release! sexdevelopmenthandbook.com
Recommended Posts