annual genital exams?

[chuzzlewit63]

I'm the mother of a recently adopted 2 1/2-year-old intersex baby who was surgically "corrected" to a girl about a year ago while in the custody of social services. I have concerns about that aspect, but was not involved in her life until about 3 months after the surgery. We adopted her in December and went to our first appt. with the endocrinologist. He says she will need annual genital exams by him and I can't really imagine why she needsd this. Maybe I'm missing something. Any ideas? By the way, she is the most gorgeous, amazing, child in the world. Am I biased?

Thanks for your input.

Pam

[Kailana]

I am deffinately not the right person to ask for advice.

But i will offer alittle, at least concerning what you might want to ask your childs endocrinologist.

1. You really need to ask "why does she need to have annual genital exams?"

I hope the endo, gives you a logical reason. It could be just to note her progress. Spot anything out of the ordinary. I really don't know. But, i think you should have a reason, or be given a reason, why.

I hope others here will have a better reason, explanation. From my own experience, its hard to compare, as i was raised male. As a kid, and particularly as a teen, i was extremely self conscious of my genitalia, Doctors only made things worse for me. I don't know how to say this well, but "Doctors examining me/my anatomy, touching, pinching, rolling back foreskin, odd comments, about how everything looks fine, or its a little small only made me more self conscious.

I hope some of the people with better or more appropriate/similar experiences post a response. They may provide much more appropriate histories, experiences, that may prove beneficial.

I am very happy for you and wish the best for your family.
Best Wishes

[Glenn]

I agree with Kailana; I'd be real curious what specifically they're looking for.

[Sofie]

Maybe you should get get her medical records and a second opinion about this from another doctor?

[Glenn]

great icon, Sophie! self-portrait? ;)

[Sofie]

Hi Glenn,
nice to hear you like my new look.
Actually I found it on the Interweb.

[kiira-triea]

Hi Pam, I've been doing support and counseling of intersex people and parents since 1993 when we started ISNA. I'm still working behind the scenes mostly, with academics and researchers and with the DSD consortium but I also still do support. You could use some I think. Feel free to write me at kiira@<hidden>.

I may be able to help with your childs medical records, interpretting her records and accessing DSD (intersex) aware medical caregivers, many of them know me by name or are close friends who would be able to help.

Be careful who you take advice from, ask for references. It should be a known support worker/activist who is known to the DSD (intersex) academic and medical community.

all best,

Kiira