PDA

View Full Version : fertility/HRT issues in undertermined intersex condition


kristan
10-25-09, 11:59 AM
Hey Everyone,

I have not posted in a while. I have been doing a lot of research and working on my Mother to get more information. I have made a lot of headway but need your help with a few issues concerning deductive reasoning in determining a clearer possibility to which Intersex condition I have. I'll make it clear that I am NOT looking for a diagnosis, just simply using your experiences to help me get a clearer idea of what I am dealing with on a regular basis, and to assist me in understanding the variety of conditions that are possibilities for me.

I'll give a quick synopsis of my story for those that have not read any of my posts, give new information, and give my hypothesis' so far.

I am 38 and have had an Intersex (exact condition undisclosed) confirmation this past May from my Mother. I was raised male but Identified as Transsexual since I understood the terminology (14).

I have been on an HRT regimen for a month and a half that includes Oestradiol, progesterone, Spironolactone and Finasteride. Yes, I am self medicating and I understand the risks involved.

For an XY Transsexual there are specific outcomes from HRT that do not vary from individual to individual. These include a generalized (yet adhered to) time line for specific results to manifest. There are also some XY traits (I'll elaborate further in a bit about my research on XX and XY traits I possess) that never go away for a transsexual individual. I am speaking specifically about beard growth, facial feminization (bone structure), body frame and breast growth. I also did some research on hands. My index, 'pointy' fingers are longer than my ring fingers (apparently an indication of XX chromosomes).

I am going to use a comparison to a typical MTF Transsexual to demonstrate my visible transition from a somewhat feminized male appearance to a predominantly feminine appearance.
I have just over one month of HRT on a typical Transsexual regimen (I reduced my daily doses by half 4 days ago). I am experiencing results that a typical transsexual 'may' experience after 2 years on the highest and safest doses recommended. These results include breast growth, weight distribution, hip development, hand and feet size (2-3 ring sizes and 10-9/9 1/2 shoe size) and reduced upper body strength. The possibility of Adrenal issues for some of these changes has occurred to me.

There are some results never to be expected in a trans person that I am experiencing. These results are a complete stop of beard growth, smaller Adam's Apple, reduced height (roughly an inch), and non-surgical facial feminization (cheek bones, brow). I have experienced one menstrual cycle in which I experienced all symptoms, including cramps, bleeding and feminine odor. My suspected labial fold appears to slightly 'pool' with blood (reddish, contracted and the skin 'leaks' what appears to be vaginal secretions). I can only conjecture at this point on the extent of female internal genitalia.


I am also experiencing a reduction in size and skin texture of my clitoris, and the manner in which it 'rests' between the folds of my labia (I suspect labial fusion or surgical labial fusion to enclose my undescended testes, which have reduced by 3/4 size).

Sexual indications since HRT include a distinct 'G spot' (clear differentiation from Prostate), increased nerve sensation on the tip of my clitoris with distinct 'confused' nerve receptors indicating the possibility of reconstructive surgery for hypospadias and/or a phallic appearance.

The fertility issue according to my research may be an indication as to which Intersex condition I possess. I Fathered two children, and with the aforementioned menstrual symptoms I am curious as to my possibility of being a fertile female as well.

My frustration and confusion stems from my Mother not willing to offer more information. She may not know the specifics herself, but that may just be me giving her the benefit of a doubt. I'm trying to leave out the psychological ramifications I am experiencing.

I am aware that I need to see a Doctor ASAP! for specific Karyotype and MRI's for specific internal genitalia. I don't need to be reminded of that. I am not avoiding the importance of that. I am positive I will be able to start making appointments in July when my SSDI Insurance begins and I receive a C.O.L.A. Increase.

In summation, I have come up with a few possibilities, but not one that may specifically pinpoint my condition to one particular Intersex condition. These possibilities are XX CAH (does my male fertility rule this out?). Ovo-Testes or "True Hermaphroditism" is another possibility considering my male fertility and extreme, early response to HRT. True hermaphroditism is what makes me curious about female fertility. AIS (partial or complete) is a possibility with my menstrual cycle and male fertility possibilities in ruling this out. I do not know much about 46 XX Male (sex reversal syndrome) and PIV.

phew!!!

Smooches,

Kristan

spacegirl
10-26-09, 01:54 PM
Hi Kristan. I wrote up a big long reply to your post, but then I looked at it and it read like preachy lecture. So I'll just keep this short and simple.

If you're sure those are your kids, male fertility completely rules out you being XX with any condition. Sperm production requires an intact Y chromosome.

Anything involving a Y chromosome means no ovarian follicles, no eggs. No spontaneous menstrual cycles. But your apparent menstrual cycle could have been driven by the hormones you're taking, instead of by an egg, assuming you have a uterus. Or it could have just been your prostate imploding.

It's well known that ais women don't have a uterus to shed, so that rules out ais.

Things I'd guess might be possible, in order of descending likelihood-
(1) Kleinfelter's (47xxy)
(2) DES exposure
(3) Swyer's

(4) chimerism

Dianne
10-26-09, 05:40 PM
... Anything involving a Y chromosome means no ovarian follicles, no eggs....

Not quite. Bilateral hermaphroditism can result in one testes and one ovary, either of which can be functional depending on hormonal levels.

spacegirl
10-26-09, 06:54 PM
Not quite. Bilateral hermaphroditism can result in one testes and one ovary, either of which can be functional depending on hormonal levels.

But the ovary would still need to have only XX cells at the ovarian follicles, though those follicles in very rare cases may be surrounded by X(X)Y cells. And the teste would still need to have cells with a Y, because spermatogenesis requires the genes located on the Y chromosome. When I listed (4) chimerism, it would just about cover that very rare situation. Or maybe an incredibly selective mosaicism.

I did a lot of reading after Kristan asked her question.

kristan
10-27-09, 04:10 PM
thanks spacegirl and Dianne. Bilateral hermaphroditism seems most likely to me. Simply because I began ovulating this afternoon and my vagina is beginning to retake its original form. A hypospadias scar and a vaginal opening scar are very visible now. The labial folds are reforming as the reproduction organs formerly seen as solely testes are receding into the body. My ovulation pressure is centered at the point mostly where my right organ recedes. The vaginal walls are present with finger pressure where they naturally should be. As far as the variati0ns of teste/ove is concerned I am leaning towards right testicle and left ovary if only two are present, otherwise, I am not sure. The amount of energy it must have taken for my family to hide this from me must be astounding. I'm not even sure how rare this condition is, but I have no doubt that some form of hermaphroditism is at work in my body. I'm not sure what to do, I know I'm still in a lot of shock over the truth finally coming out as to who I am. I'm not mad right now. I'm rather astounded actually.

kristan
10-27-09, 04:12 PM
oh, i'm not sure if it's relevant, but with my changes now on hormones I should mention that it has become clear that i went thru female puberty first.

kristan
10-31-09, 04:33 AM
ok, so now i'm baffled, noone has any other ideas besides chimera (4). Spacegirl, are you telling me that I am the most rarest form of homosapien in existence at this point in time? well, yeah I kinda knew that. Now what do I do?

spacegirl
10-31-09, 02:17 PM
ok, so now i'm baffled, noone has any other ideas besides chimera (4). Spacegirl, are you telling me that I am the most rarest form of homosapien in existence at this point in time? well, yeah I kinda knew that. Now what do I do?

No. I was saying I thought chimerism was your least likely possibility (that's still any possibility) for you.

I thought (when I responded) that your most likely possibility *might* be some variant of 47xxy, possibly with some level of mosaicism. KS reduces male fertility but sometimes doesn't eliminate it completely. Two children might be unlikely but not impossible. KS might explain your level of hormone response. With a little bit of mosaicsim spawning off some 45xo cell lines, you might have some endometrial cells to bleed with.

If I'd known people were gong to be hating on me privately, I'd have kept those thoughts to myself.

Laura Robison
11-02-09, 08:51 PM
Have any of you considered PMDS? I have talked to a guy who is XY, and fathered two children. He has a uterus which was found during other surgery, and he was diagnosed with PMDS.