Disorders of sex development
Encyclopedia
Disorders of sex development (DSD), sometimes referred to as disorders of sex differentiation, are medical terms referring to "congenital conditions in which development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex is atypical." Lee et al. proposed a system of nomenclature based on "disorders of sex development" for clinical use, noting that "terms such as intersex
, pseudohermaphroditism
, hermaphroditism, sex reversal, and gender based diagnostic labels are particularly controversial," may be perceived as pejorative, and are confusing to practitioners and parents alike. In "We Used to Call Them Hermaphrodites," author Vilain makes clear that "DSD" is not a synonym for intersexuality; it replaces medical terms based on "hermaphrodite".
has suggested the use of "variation" or of "difference" , and Elizabeth Reis has suggested "divergence"
Intersex
Intersex, in humans and other animals, is the presence of intermediate or atypical combinations of physical features that usually distinguish female from male...
, pseudohermaphroditism
Pseudohermaphroditism
Pseudohermaphroditism, or pseudo-hermaphroditism, is the condition in which an organism is born with secondary sex characteristics or a phenotype that is different from what would be expected on the basis of the gonadal tissue ....
, hermaphroditism, sex reversal, and gender based diagnostic labels are particularly controversial," may be perceived as pejorative, and are confusing to practitioners and parents alike. In "We Used to Call Them Hermaphrodites," author Vilain makes clear that "DSD" is not a synonym for intersexuality; it replaces medical terms based on "hermaphrodite".
Controversy
Use of the term disorder of sex development (DSD) is controversial among some activists. Alternatives have been offered: Dr. Milton DiamondMilton Diamond
Milton Diamond is a retired professor of anatomy and reproductive biology at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. He has had a very long and productive career in the study of human sexuality...
has suggested the use of "variation" or of "difference" , and Elizabeth Reis has suggested "divergence"
- the latter two suggestions would retain the initial D in DSD
External links
- Accord Alliance Promoting comprehensive and integrated approaches to care that enhance the health and well-being of people and families affected by DSD by fostering collaboration among all stakeholders.
- YourChild: Disorders of Sex Development (DSD) Resources University of Michigan Health System.
- Sex Development: An Overview Animation of prenatal genital development from The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto.
- Handbook for Parents Consortium on the Management of Disorders of Sex Development.
- Clinical Guidelines for the Management of Disorders of Sex Development in Childhood Consortium on the Management of Disorders of Sex Development.