hi

[kers]

hi i am male, 31

I have (undiagnosed?) micropenis - basically, it never grew. I have some breast tissue.... I don't know if I have any other intersex symptoms. (I have body hair) I have lived all my life with this secret until 2 years ago when I was suicidal and told my dad. I thought maybe my parents knew about it but didn't seem to? Last year I went to my family doctor and discussed it with him.

My doctor said he would refer me to a urologist and they would search for one who specialises in such cases. But because I was depressed at the time only referred me to a psychiatrist whom I have only seen twice and not discussed this issue with. This was over 6 months ago.

Also I suffer from bad fatigue no matter what I do and have communication problems and eye contact problems. I don't know if this is related to the phsyical problems or maybe because I have been bullied in most of my life

I only have sisters, one of my sisters had a miscarriage so I am worried/guilty they carry whatever gene I have


Thanks for any advice or ideas about what to do. I am not too sure about what help I need or should ask for.

I live in the UK

[proudmama]

Hi Kers,
I'm sorry to hear about your struggles. I hope that you are able to get the answers that you are looking for.
I don't have much advice to give, just a listening ear. My baby was born with ambiguous genetalia which included a "micropenis" but has mixed gonadal dysgenesis. Which, since you didn't mention undescended testicles, I don't believe is what you are dealing with. However, there are other conditions that can cause the symptoms that you have described.
I would recommend seeing an endocrinologist to test your hormone levels. That may be able to give you some answers as to whether it is hormone related or not and would probably be able to direct you where to go from there. Also, I would strongly recommend talking to your therapist openly and honestly. If you can't trust the one you are currently seeing, find one that you can trust. I'm sorry I cannot be of more help.

Ashley

[notodd]

Welcome to the BLO.

I'm sure that most of us here understand where you're coming from.
The wheels of the NHS move VERY slowly!

Is your doctor understanding?

There are various reasons for your symptoms, I would suggest that a Chromosome test and Hormone levels would help you discover what is going on, but you are going to have to push for them. (Your lack of energy and self esteem, are probably related to hormone imbalance). You have to realise, that we are suprisingly rare and most doctors won't have come across us before, unless they specialise in intersex, so they may not understand the problems that we face.

You are welcome to chat to us, just getting it out in the open, helps with the depression. (It works for me!) There is nothing worse than trying to cope on your own.

Jon.

[kers]

Thanks for the replies. My GP is a nice person and is trying to help me, which is the most important thing I think.

[Aseras]

Hi Kers,

First it's good you have a doctor who is willing to work with you, even if they don't know what to do. They can always learn. It's much harder to make a doctor care.

There's many reasons why things develop wrongly. Know this, even if you find out why, it's probably not going to "fix" anything. There's no magic pill to correct developmental problems. Most of our greatest issues are psychological and it sounds like you have quite a bit of those as well. I got picked on all through school. I have been seeing therapists since I was in kindergarten, speech since then too, all in an attempt to mold me into something they thought was acceptable. That will never work, you have to be who you are it is inescapable. The hardest part is figuring out what that is and developing your confidence.

I wish you the best.

[Kailana]

Kers best advice I can suggest is to go back to your doctor as he appears to be trying to help, you need to accept the help offered.

It is not always so easy to get a doctor that listens to our issue's. Hang in there and you will get the answers you need.