The Intersex Child

What sex you are, defines your identity, from what you wear to your psyche, the worldly roles you essay and the expectations that you come to have from life. From applications and forms, voter’s ID, passport, bank accounts and insurance to all the documents in between and the services that lets you be a part of this world, identifies you as either MALE or FEMALE. Even public sanitation comes with branding; MALE or FEMALE. Ever wondered, what kind of life people with Intersex condition get to live? Their existence remains ignored in our society, like some wretched dog on the streets. Opportunities to a life of dignity have eluded them since long. Although one out of every 2000 births is an intersex child, the tradition of secrecy around it, leaves parents unaware and unprepared. Societal expectations can traumatize parents into seeking early surgical interventions to ensure their child leads a ‘normal’ life. In worst cases, such a child gets disowned or even honour killed. Understanding intersex condition is therefore crucial in preventing mindless atrocities and hostile attitudes.

Intersex is a group of conditions that are scientifically recognized as Disorders of Sex Development (DSDs). It is commonplace to call these individuals Hermaphrodites. But calling them so is misleading and insensitive as these individuals do not have all female and all male parts. That is physiologically impossible. A person with an intersex condition has either a discrepancy between the external and internal genitals (the testes and ovaries) or ambiguous genitalia. It is important to note that this condition can happen to any child, just as any other birth disorder. We know humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes- 22 autosomal and 1 pair determining sex; XX for female and XY for male. Intersex individuals have thus far been recognized into four categories:

1.  46 XX Intersex, 46 XX with virilization or commonly Female Pseudohermaphroditism: The person is a female with external genitals that appear male or ambiguous. This results from the female fetus being exposed to excess male hormones before birth leading to hormonal imbalance. This exposure is due to Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (Group of autosomal recessive diseases resulting from gene mutations for enzymes mediating the biochemical steps of cortisol production from cholesterol by the adrenal glands. These manifests in either excessive or deficient production of sex steroids ), hormonal medication given to mother during pregnancy or testosterone produced by ovarian tumours in the mother.

2. 46 XY Intersex, 46 XY with undervirilization or commonly Male Pseudohermaphroditism: The person is a male with external genitals that appear female or ambiguous. Reasons leading to the hormonal imbalance seen in XY intersex individuals are inability of testes to produce male hormones, deficiencies in any of the enzymes needed to drive the stepwise process in testosterone formation or inability to use testosterone.  

3. True Gonadal Intersex, commonly True Hermophroditism: Here the person has both ovarian and testicular tissue. This might be in the same gonad (an ovotestis) or the person might have one ovary and one testis. The person may have XX chromosomes, XY chromosomes, or both. The external genitals may be ambiguous or may appear to be female or male. The underlying cause remains unknown, although in some animal studies it has been linked to exposure to common agricultural pesticides.

4. Complex or Undetermined Intersex: These individuals have errors in chromosomal configurations that include 45 XO (only 1 X chromosome), 47 XXY, 47XXX etc. There is no discrepancy between internal and external genitalia, but, imbalance in sex hormonal levels and overall sexual development occurs.

The conditions associated with intersex may become evident at birth or surface gradually towards puberty. Gender identity is thus, a matter of nurture and not nature. Therefore surgical quick fix leading to gender assignment may hardly be the solution as the issue is more complex than assumed. A child medically assigned to be a boy may develop female psyche around puberty or vice versa resulting in Transgenders with emotional discomfort and identity crisis. Parents in particular, need to be educated that having an intersex child is NOT a matter of confusion, grief, shame or fear. Many babies born with intersex conditions are perfectly healthy and do not require any medical intervention other than diagnostic tests. Parents therefore need to press doctors to clarify them on which parts of their child's anatomy involve threats to their child's physical well-being like a blockage to the urinary opening. It is vital to see what the child develops into and wants to be, before medical interventions are made, if they need to be. However, the prospect of a successful surgery at around puberty where gender awareness of the child develops is grim. Therefore doctors need to encourage a middle ground with non-invasive treatments until needed otherwise. Parents need to be talked out of stress and confusion and allowed to focus on the joy of having a beautiful baby. People with intersex condition are no where inferior in aspects of intelligence and talent. The only worry is that they may not be able to propagate, which many of us, ‘normal’ individuals may not do as well, by choice. With the increase in awareness, our understanding of intersex will widen. They are NOT objects of pity as professed by certain traditions. They are our own. A change towards progressive attitude will definitely bring with it the acceptance and empathy, intersex children need. And thus, given opportunities of education and employment, they will thrive like the rest of us and prove to be assets to our society.

Reference: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ - one of the best sites for health information

The Love Potion !

A friend of mine once breathed, ‘and now! That is called a MAN!’ I looked around to spot this rather average looking guy, lanky and fair. He returned her stare with a certain resolve and she went, ‘Whoa! Re-fined handsome!’. This friend of mine.. lets say, shez ‘the’ doll of the crowd, very pretty, sheek styled, adorable, funny, smart n a definite guy’s gift! But with soo many guys drooling over, it was strange that she was drawn to someone, quite modest and mundane! Someone who treated her as equal, not some sex goddess! It’s weird... how attraction works. Call it love or pure madness, the moment you’re consciously aware that you fancy someone, your system crashes!

Psychologists say it takes between 90 seconds and 4 minutes to decide if you fancy someone. Research has shown this has little to do with what is said, rather

• 55% is through body language

• 38% is the tone and speed of their voice

• only 7% is through what they say

Throughout, our lifetime we come across several potential partners, then why is it, that we are drawn to few so intensely? Is falling in love just a clever way of nature to ensure we procreate and sustain our species?

I came across Helen Fisher’s work from Rutgers University. Her Research is so impressive and renowned with actual results that I decided to blog about it and let those who haven’t heard about her already; know the marvels in the making of human love. It is true; love just happens or more cruelly is waiting to happen! With an irresistible cocktail of chemicals, our brain entices us to fall in love. All our efforts, consciously or unconsciously into choosing and pursuing a partner are driven by hormones.

Helen proposes 3 stages to Love- Lust, Attraction and Attachment.

Lust- This first stage of love is driven by sex hormones Testosterone and Oestrogen, in both men and women. Research reveals men find symmetric faced, even skin toned, slim yet curvy women, more attractive. Scientifically this is so, as these women are healthier and their pelvic shapes more conducive to child birth. Women on the other hand are drawn to men with broad frames and deep set voices, as they are indicative of strong musculature thus protection and potent virility. It has also been proven that women are drawn to the sweat smell (olfaction) of those men with a Major histo-compatibility complex (MHC) other than their own. MHCs dictate surface antigens on human cells. The more diverse they are in an individual, the more the potential of that individual to counteract infection and diseases by producing a varied range of antibodies. So, a child who will inherit a wide range of MHC combinations will predictively have a better, healthier life. So, procreating with a person with opposite MHCs ensures you have healthy babies! Love in this sense does follow the ‘opposites attract’ rule! And yes! It also follows, that for every person, there may after all be, that one person, who exudes irresistible attraction owing to complementary MHCs! Trouble is with so many potential suitors, your chances of finding that person remains, although not impossible, but certainly improbable! Sad !!

Attraction- ‘Crazed, can’t think of anything but...’ stage! The second stage of Love has more to do with observing character, obsessively, along with physical attributes. Virtues like generosity, courage and honesty that are difficult to fake unlike physical appearances are more keenly observed in this stage. These character virtues are indicative of good genes, as only a self sustaining person can afford to harbour them. More over, raising a family with someone value-added with these traits is favourable. Three main neurotransmitters are involved at this stage; Adrenaline, Dopamine and Serotonin.

Adrenaline: Ever experienced the excitement of bumping into new love? Exhilarating isn’t it! The mere presence of your flame in your vicinity activates your stress responses. Like you’re magnetically aware of their presence! Even in a crowd, your senses are heightened to their specific moves. Your heart races, mouth goes dry, skin flushes and you begin to sweat. This is due to an increase in blood levels of Adrenaline and Cortisol. Men more readily produce it than women, because of their more visual nature.

Dopamine: This chemical activates that part of the brain associated with ‘desire and reward’. An intense rush of pleasure is triggered. It has the same effect on the brain as taking Cocaine! Couples in love, have surging levels of Dopamine. Increased energy, craving, euphoria, goal oriented behaviour, short term memory hyperactivity, loss of sleep and appetite, focussed attention and exquisite delight in the smallest details of your beau are all effects of Dopamine. Researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to monitor people's brain when they looked at a photograph of their lover. The scans showed increased blood flow in areas of the brain with high concentrations of receptors for Dopamine. High levels of Dopamine are also associated with high levels of Norepinephrine, which has similar effects. In other words, couples in this stage of love focus intently on the relationship and often on little else.
 

Seratonin- Keeps your lover popping in your thoughts, day in and day out. Literally! People in Love have lower levels of Serotonin that helps in surpassing the neural networks associated with the way we assess others. It is similar to obsessive-compulsive disorders. This results in intense focus and idealizing views about your partner. And it follows, that love is blind after all! Newly smitten lovers often idealise their partner, magnifying their virtues and explaining away their flaws. It’s very common to think they have a relationship that's closer and more special than anyone else's. It makes us want to stay together to enter the next stage of love – Attachment.

Attachment- The third stage of Love is a bond that keeps couples together, long enough to have and raise children. True passionate love; Attachment, scores clearly over lustful attraction. People do crazy sometimes harmful things if rejected in love. Scientists have identified the role of two major hormones involved in establishing Attachment: Oxytocin and Vasopressin.

Oxytocin- The cuddle hormone- It’s released by both men and women during orgasm. It probably deepens the feelings of Attachment and makes couples feel much closer to one another after they have had sex. The theory goes that the more sex a couple has, the deeper their bond becomes. It’s the same hormone released during childbirth that both triggers a mother’s breast milk to release and cements a strong bond between mother and child, avoiding rejection of the baby after birth.
  

Vasopressin- also plays a vital role in long term commitment and is released after sex. It’s also called the anti-diuretic hormone and works on kidney to control thirst. It particularly enables males in building devotion to their partners and protecting them against new suitors.

And thus! Love stands a matter of Chemistry! That drives your Physics and Biology! These deadly concoction of chemicals can drive you nuts, making sure you have no other go, but to yield to them! It’s advisable, not to play around with anyone’s feelings, let alone your own. For if you trigger these hormones, you play with fire! It’s harder to let go and move on, in case of break ups. But until such a time, enjoy the ride!! There is no better pleasure than the feeling of your heart racing up and slowing down, at the same time, for that special someone! Happy being loved!

I earnestly acknowledge http://www.helenfisher.com/ in providing the resourceful information, discussed in this post.