Surgery & Medicalisation
Medical interventions take place to address physical health concerns and psychosocial risks. Both types of rationale are the subject of debate, particularly as the consequences of surgical (and many hormonal) interventions are lifelong and irreversible.
Medical approaches to intersex include feminising and masculinising surgeries, hormone treatment and psychosocial support. In the cases where gonads may pose a cancer risk, as in some cases of Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome, testes may be monitored in situ without the need to surgically excise.
When in doubt wait. Preserve all opportunities for intersex people to make their own decisions what happens to their bodies.
Resources
Resource Type
Surgery & Medicalisation - Latest Resources
Report |
Human Rights Advocacy, Surgery & Medicalisation
Involuntary or coerced sterilisation of intersex people in Australia was produced by the Senate Community Affairs Committee Secretariat and printed by the Senate Printing Unit, Parliament House, Canberra.
Information Sheet |
Surgery & Medicalisation, Intimacy, Infertility, HRT, Patient Advocacy
Our printable brochure to help parents who have recently met their intersex child.
Information Sheet |
Infants, Disclosure, Surgery & Medicalisation, HRT
Information about Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome and our support group.
Report |
Human Rights Advocacy, Surgery & Medicalisation
Involuntary or coerced sterilisation of intersex people in Australia was produced by the Senate Community Affairs Committee Secretariat and printed by the Senate Printing Unit, Parliament House, Canberra.
Article |
Infants, Surgery & Medicalisation
2016 "Guardian" article by Jenny Kleeman.
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.