Many people have heard about hermaphrodites, but not everyone knows about the types of sexual hermaphroditism. The disease implies the presence in a person of developed genital organs of both sexes. What is the peculiarity of such a pathology? We will talk about this in the article.
False hermaphroditism
What it is? What does hermaphroditism look like in people? Photos of those suffering from the disease are posted in the article. It is worth noting that false hermaphroditism is a disease in which the genital glands are formed correctly, but the external genitalia have signs of bicavity. In this case, there is a contradiction between the internal (chromosomal, gonadal) and external (according to the structure of the genital organs) sex. False hermaphroditism is male and female.
Male hermaphroditism
What does hermaphroditism look like in men? They can observe the testicles, but the external structure of the genital organs is more likely female. The figure develops according to the female type. But not only physiology is changing, but also the human psyche. He is more comfortable feeling like a woman.
There are some anomalies. First of all, the urethra is improperly developed. This anomaly is called hypospadias. The testicles (cryptorchidism) are also incorrectly located.
Sometimes the disease is called androgen insensitivity syndrome, which is characteristic of the male karyotype 46XU. If the phenotype has external genitalia, which are similar in appearance to the male ones, they talk about Reifenstein syndrome.
Female hermaphroditism
A woman has ovaries, but the external structure of the genitals is similar to that of men. In addition, the woman has very pronounced muscles, coarsens her voice and enhances hair growth throughout the body. She is more comfortable feeling like a man.
The disease is characterized by the presence of a female karyotype 46XX and ovaries. But the external sexual structure is different. Given the enzymatic deficiency that provokes a violation of potassium-sodium metabolism, the patient may complain of high blood pressure and frequent edema.
Violation of the development of the sex glands. Turner Syndrome
Specialists may encounter Turner syndrome, which is caused by a genetic mutation of the X chromosome. Such an anomaly provokes the deformation of genes (during expression) that control ovarian function. As a result, there is a violation of the formation of gonads (they remain in their infancy or are absent). Patients often suffer from kidney and heart disease.
In some cases, you can find mosaic variants of the transformation of the chromosome. This anomaly disrupts the ovaries. The development of somatic cells is difficult. People with Turner syndrome have short stature and other external abnormalities.
Gonad Pure Agenesis Syndrome
An anomaly results from point mutations of the X or Y chromosomes. By this term is understood the congenital absence of the sex glands.
Patients differ in normal growth, but secondary sexual characteristics are not fully developed. External genitals - female, infantile. Genetic gender is not determined, gonadal sex is absent. In women at the stage of puberty , menstruation does not begin, which becomes the reason for a visit to the doctor.
Testicular Underdevelopment
It is worth highlighting two forms of the disease.
Bilateral. In this case, the testes are underdeveloped on both sides, but the production of full sperm is impossible. The internal structure of the genital organs is female. The external organs have signs of both female and male. Given the impossibility of testosterone production by the testes, the amount of sex hormones in the blood is minimal.
Mixed. The genitals can develop asymmetrically. There is a normal testicle on the one hand, whose reproductive function is preserved. The other side is represented by connective tissue cords. In adolescence, the patient develops secondary sexual characteristics in the male type. Examining the chromosome set in the process of diagnosing the disease, experts identify mosaicism.
True hermaphroditism
The body contains both male reproductive glands - the testes, and female - the ovaries. One of the organs is underdeveloped and does not secrete germ cells. In a separate case, the glands can merge. But such a situation can be observed in exceptional cases. It is associated with abnormal development of the reproductive system during the prenatal period.
In the world there are no more than 200 cases of true hermaphroditism in humans (photo in the article).
It is difficult to pinpoint the factors that influence the onset of a disease. A number of studies, in rare cases, associate the disease with translocation and mutation of chromosomes. Also included here is the double fertilization of one egg, which leads to the appearance of bisexual gonads. Photos of people with the disease are often frightening or perplexing.
Symptoms of hermaphroditism in humans:
- Improper penile development.
- The testicles do not descend into the scrotum.
- The urethra is displaced, and is not located on the head of the penis, but in another area of the organ.
- Penis curvature.
- Intensive development of the mammary glands.
- A high voice that does not correspond to passport age.
- Infertility.
- Puberty, which occurred prematurely.
This is how hermaphroditism manifests itself. Photos of human organs in such cases are in all medical encyclopedias.
Other symptoms Chromosomes
In violation of the fetal development of the fetus, an incorrect laying of its genitals occurs. Among the main reasons can be called a mutation, which is a sudden breakdown in the genetic system. Most often this happens at an early stage of fetal development due to the influence of various factors, such as:
- Irradiation.
- Chemical poisoning during pregnancy. These include poisoning with food poison, drugs that are not recommended for women in position. Also here include alcohol, drugs.
- Biological impact. By it is meant infection of the pregnant woman with toxoplasmosis, viral diseases.
Hormonal system failure
This situation can be observed both in women and in the embryo. The disease can be triggered by:
- Adrenal gland disease.
- Incorrect work of the pituitary or hypothalamus, which is responsible for controlling the development of the gonads.
Diagnosis of the disease
In the process of the study, the doctor determines the further treatment, given a number of nuances:
- The course of pregnancy in the mother. In this case, the effect of infections and toxic substances is taken into account.
- Improper genital development.
- Complaints about problems related to sexual activity.
- Infertility in a patient.
General inspection
Inspection is carried out to detect abnormalities. In men, mammary glands can develop, in women, excess muscle. Most often, this is how hermaphroditism in humans is initially manifested.
Also, the doctor should exclude the presence of other diseases. To do this, blood pressure is checked, growth is measured, skin is examined, hair growth and distribution of adipose tissue are evaluated.
Specialist consultation
At the reception, an examination of the external genitalia takes place to identify abnormalities in their development. In men, the prostate gland is examined, the scrotum is probed.
Consultation with a geneticist, endocrinologist and gynecologist is also necessary. To distinguish true hermaphroditism from false, specialists resort to the definition of sex chromatin - karyotyping. It is worth noting that at the final stage, to determine the true hermaphroditism, it is necessary to conduct a diagnostic laparotomy, a gonad biopsy.
Karyotyping
During the study, the number and composition of chromosomes is studied. Thus, you can determine the genetic gender.
Pelvic ultrasound
At the same time, abdominal organs are diagnosed for abnormalities in the structure of the reproductive system. Particular attention is paid to the presence of ovaries or testicles that have not descended into the scrotum.
MRI
The study allows you to get a conclusion that indicates the exact structure of the human genitals.
Laboratory research
If necessary, the doctor can prescribe tests to determine hormones in the urine and blood. The list of tests should be determined by the doctor. It can be the hormones of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, pituitary gland and sex hormones.
Treatment. Hormone therapy
Given the causes of hermaphroditism in humans, the doctor may prescribe drugs of sex hormones or the thyroid gland. Also, glucocorticoids can be used in the treatment process. In some cases, hormonal drugs that regulate the pituitary gland are prescribed.
The main objective of the treatment is considered to be the identification of the civil sex of a person, the establishment of a hormonal background. Treatment comes down to surgical correction of organs and hormonal therapy. In some cases, it is advisable to use combined oral contraceptives.
The disease, which was caused by a congenital malformation of the adrenal gland, is advisable to treat with glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid hormones.
Patients with a male gender are prescribed prolonged testosterone preparations.
Surgical intervention
Given the patient's desire, you can resort to surgical correction of the anomaly. Men are offered plastic surgery on the external genitalia, which includes straightening and enlarging the penis, lowering the testicles into the scrotum and other necessary actions. Underdeveloped testicles are surgically removed. If you neglect the operation, they can degenerate into a malignant formation.
In women, all testicular tissues are removed, a clitoris and vaginal plastic surgery are performed. Solve the problem of hair growth of the skin using epilation. Hormonal drugs should be taken throughout the reproductive period.
Possible consequences
The following complications of hermaphroditism are distinguished:
- From the testicles that have not descended into the scrotum, tumors develop.
- Improper location of the urinary canal can provoke a violation of urination.
- The inability to conduct a full sexual life.
- A person may suffer from some sexual disorders.
Features of the disease
In most cases, congenital hermaphroditism occurs in humans. Only occasionally genital abnormalities occur in children against the background of premature puberty. The occurrence of the disease in adults can occur due to the use of hormonal drugs.
It is worth noting that the presence of hermaphroditism in people sometimes provokes mental and mental deviations.
Most often, patients with true hermaphroditism cannot have children. But in rare cases, children are born.
For the period of rehabilitation, the patient should be under the supervision of an endocrinologist who prescribes hormone therapy. In parallel, you can get advice from a sexologist and psychologist.