Who is hermaphrodite

You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar. Correspondence to Eric Vilain. Reprints and Permissions. Vilain, E. We used to call them hermaphrodites.

Genet Med 9, 65—66 Download citation. Revised : 08 September Accepted : 26 October Issue Date : February Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:. Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article. Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative. Monatsschrift Kinderheilkunde Nature Reviews Endocrinology Advanced search. Skip to main content Thank you for visiting nature.

Download PDF. This change has practical, scientific, and symbolic consequences. References 1 Popper KR. Article Google Scholar Download references.

View author publications. Rights and permissions Reprints and Permissions. About this article Cite this article Vilain, E. Copy to clipboard. Further reading Varianten der Geschlechtsentwicklung in der Frauenheilkunde M.

Malliou-Becher , P. Vogt , E. Hiort , L. Marshall , A. Bacia , M. Bouteleux , A. Search Search articles by subject, keyword or author. Show results from All journals This journal. And therefore natural philosophers say, that an hermaphrodite is impotent in the privy parts of a man, as appears by experience. They are in a hermaphrodite condition, out of which they develop into either males or females. New Word List Word List. Save This Word! Compare pseudohermaphrodite.

See also gynandrous. We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms. Intersex has become the preferred term.

However, there may be problems with sex hormone levels, overall sexual development, and altered numbers of sex chromosomes. Ideally, a team of health care professionals with expertise in intersex should work together to understand and treat the child with intersex and support the family. Parents should understand controversies and changes in treating intersex in recent years.

In the past, the prevailing opinion was that it was generally best to assign a gender as quickly as possible. This was often based on the external genitals rather than the chromosomal gender.

Parents were told to have no ambiguity in their minds as to the gender of the child. Prompt surgery was often recommended. Ovarian or testicular tissue from the other gender would be removed. In general, it was considered easier to reconstruct female genitalia than functioning male genitalia, so if the "correct" choice was not clear, the child was often assigned to be a girl.

More recently, the opinion of many experts has shifted. Greater respect for the complexities of female sexual functioning has led them to conclude that suboptimal female genitalia may not be inherently better than suboptimal male genitalia, even if the reconstruction is "easier.

Chromosomal, neural, hormonal, psychological, and behavioral factors can all influence gender identity.

Many experts now urge delaying definitive surgery for as long as is healthy, and ideally involving the child in the gender decision. Clearly, intersex is a complex issue, and its treatment has short- and long-term consequences. The best answer will depend on many factors, including the specific cause of the intersex. It is best to take the time to understand the issues before rushing into a decision.

An intersex support group may help acquaint families with the latest research, and may provide a community of other families, children, and adult individuals who have faced the same issues. Different support groups may differ in their thoughts regarding this very sensitive topic. Look for one that supports your thoughts and feelings on the topic. Please see information on the individual conditions. The prognosis depends on the specific cause of intersex. With understanding, support, and appropriate treatment, overall outlook is excellent.

If you notice that your child has unusual genitalia or sexual development, discuss this with your health care provider. Disorders of sexual development: etiology, evaluation, and medical management.

Campbell-Walsh Urology. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Donohoue PA. Disorders of sex development. In: Kliegman RM, St. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. Wherrett DK. Approach to the infant with a suspected disorder of sex development.