What is Adrenal Hyperplasia?
Adrenal Hyperplasia is the most prevalent cause of intersexuality amongst XX people with a frequency of about 1 in 20000 births. It is caused when an anomoly of adrenal function (usually 21-hydroxylase or 11-hydroxylase deficiency) causes the synthesis and excretion an androgen precursor, initiating virilization of a XX person in utero. Because the virilization originates metabolically, masculinizing effects continue after birth. As in progestin induced virilization, sex phenotype varies along the same continuum, with the possible added complication of metabolic problems which upset serum sodium balance. The metabolic effects of CAH can be counteracted with cortisone. The scenario for medical intervention for intersex is similar… but CAH people have an increased likelihood of early detection due to metabolic imbalances (Salt Losing Form). The long term use of cortisone itself produces significant dependance and other side effects, all of which need to be explained honestly and openly
Adrenal Hyperplasia is the most prevalent cause of intersexuality amongst XX people with a frequency of about 1 in 20000 births. It is caused when an anomoly of adrenal function (usually 21-hydroxylase or 11-hydroxylase deficiency) causes the synthesis and excretion an androgen precursor, initiating virilization of a XX person in-utero. Because the virilization originates metabolically, masculinizing effects continue after birth. As in progestin induced virilization, sex phenotype varies along the same continuum, with the possible added complication of metabolic problems which upset serum sodium balance. The metabolic effects of CAH can be counteracted with cortisone. The scenario for medical intervention for intersex is similar… but CAH people have an increased likelihood of early detection due to metabolic imbalances (Salt Losing Form). The long term use of cortisone itself produces significant dependance and other side effects, all of which need to be explained honestly and openly
