Disorders of Sexual Differentiation and Their Types

by Rahul Singh Content Writer

Overview

Disorders of sexual differentiation (DSDs) also sometimes called disorders of sexual development, and also formerly termed as intersex conditions, are conditions which are seen in infants born with ambiguous or abnormal genitalia and those with

indeterminate gender or sex.The ability to diagnose such conditions has advanced rapidly. In most cases today, clinicians can promptly make an accurate diagnosis and counsel parents on therapeutic options available. Surgical genital reconstruction has been applied to infants widely in the past and continues to happen, and is the most common procedure for DSDs, but it may not be viable for all types of DSDs.

Types of DSDs

There are quite many different types of DSDs, some being rare and others common. The most common types of DSDs include:

Female with ambiguous or male genitals or ‘46, XX DSD’: A child affected with this has the female chromosomes (XX) with normal ovaries and womb. Genitals may be male or ambiguous (not having a clear sex).
Female with male chromosomes or ‘46, XY DSD’: Such children have male chromosomes (XY) but their external genitals may appear entirely female or unclear. In addition, the womb may or may not be present. The testicles may be absent or not properly formed.
Mixed genitals and sex organs or ‘46, XX Ovotesticular’: A very rare type of DSD where the child has tissue from both ovaries and testicles. The genitals may appear female, male, or a mix of both. Children with this type of DSD have female chromosomes.
Sex chromosome DSD: Children affected with this have neither male nor female chromosomes. Instead, they may have only one X chromosome (XO), or they may have an extra chromosome (XXY). Their sex organs are, however, normally formed as either male or female. These children may not go through normal sexual development at puberty.
Rokitansky syndrome: Affected females are born without a womb, cervix, and upper vagina. Some may have underdeveloped organs. In this condition, the ovaries and external genitalia (vulva) are still present. They will still develop breasts and pubic hair as they get older.

DSD is a disorder related to endocrinology and endocrinologists. There are top hospitals in Gurgaon and Delhi NCR which offer treatment of endocrine disorders like DSDs. You can find endocrinology treatment for diabetes, osteoporosis, pituitary disorders, obesity, hormone deficiencies at Paras Hospitals in Gurgaon and Delhi NCR. The hospital offers one of the best endocrinology treatment in India.

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