Infants
People born with intersex variations are individuals, and while there are commonalities for those born with the same variation, we all have our unique issues and impacts. This can be overwhelming for parents who are seeking answers, and peer-to-peer parent support can help.
A significant issue facing people born with an intersex variation is surgery, often performed on infants, children and young people, which can have lasting physical and psychological impacts. Where possible, IPSA advises to delay unnecessary surgeries and allow children to participate in decision-making processes about their bodies.
Resources
Resource Type
Infants - Latest Resources
Information Sheet |
Infants, Disclosure, Surgery & Medicalisation, HRT
Information about Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome and our support group.
Report |
Infants, Social Model of Intersex, Patient Advocacy
Consultations with children, young people and families living with different sex development by dsdfamilies (2019)
Article |
Infants, Surgery & Medicalisation
2016 "Guardian" article by Jenny Kleeman.
Article |
Infants, Patient Advocacy, Genetic selection and termination
2015 "Guardian" opinion piece by Celeste Orr.
Article |
Infants, Surgery & Medicalisation
2001 research in "The Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology" by Catherine Minto, Sarah Creighton & Christopher Woodhouse. Concludes that clitoral surgery can damage adult sexual function.
Article |
Infants, Surgery & Medicalisation
2001 research in "The Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology" by Catherine Minto, Sarah Creighton & Stuart J Steele. Concludes that most children undergoing feminizing surgery require further treatment in puberty and this must be made clear to the parents. Vaginal surgery should be deferred until puberty unless there is a risk of haematocolpos. The requirement for clitoral surgery should be carefully considered on an individual basis.