Bodies Like Ours | Intersex Peer Support

A recent paper by William G. Reiner and John P.Gearheart published 1/22/2004 in the New England Journal of Medicine follows up on boys born with cloacal exstrophy (the bladder or intestine develops outside the body and in boys often results in small, absent or deformed penis) who underwent sex reassignment surgery. While the study was small, the findings are significant in that most transitioned back to male or identify as male.

Two articles in the Archive of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine (May 2004) examine the current protocol surrounding intersex conditions. The first harshly criticizes the current protocol that offers no support and often results in feelings of shame. The second article is a critique of the first but also recognizes the need for change.

Miscellaneous Citations.  For more recent citations, please check individual sections and categories.  You can also find not listed by visiting Google Scholar

Recent article by Berenbaum and Bailey that indicates most girls with CAH have female gender identity regardless of surgical status:

• Berenbaum, Sheri A., Bailey, Michael J. 2003, Effects on Gender Identity of Prenatal Androgens and Genital Appearance: Evidence from Girls with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 88(3):1102-1106. Web access is pay per article from http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/full/88/3/1102