Woman in China went to doctor about a hurt ankle only to be told she was born a man and is intersex

[Klaralven]

A 25-year-old woman in eastern China who failed to fall pregnant after 12 months of trying, was shocked to discover she was actually born male and is intersex.

The woman, whose external female genitalia never forced her to question her sex, stumbled upon the discovery after an X-ray of her injured ankle was taken in a hospital in her hometown.

When the X-ray revealed that her bones had not developed past the age of adolescence, the doctor’s further probing uncovered the fact that Pingping, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, had never menstruated. She said she’d turned a blind eye to it out of embarrassment.

“When I was young my mum took me to the doctor. The doctor said I was just developing slower than others sexually, and that I could have my period in a few years,” she told the local doctor.

“After I grew up, I found this issue quite embarrassing so I didn’t treat it seriously.”

...

A genetic test revealed her karyotype was 46,XY, a pattern normally found in males who have genitalia that is not clearly male or female, said Doctor Dong Fengqin, the endocrinologist.

https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3125197/woman-china-went-doctor-about-hurt-ankle-only-be-told-she-was

https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/8538/46-xy-disorders-of-sexual-development

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. This is really fascinating! My sympathies to the young creature as s/he traverses this conundrum. n/

[Dan]

2. No disrespect intended toward you, but 'person'

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. None taken. What word would you use? I was looking for a gender neutral word.

[Dan]

5. "Person"

[Goodheart]

6. That would be "person". LOL

I know you meant no disrespect.

[Blue_true]

7. "Person" would have worked. That is what I fall back onto when I am unsure.

It is a tough situation for the person to be in.

[pennylane100]

11. To address this young person as "creature" is not good.

Although you may have been looking for a neutral gender title, you certainly did not succeed.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

13. WTAF

[LisaL]

3. Parents were related to each other.

NT

[uncle ray]

8. this might be the breakthrough we need to get repubs to support trans rights.

[LeftInTX]

14. LOL...Don't hold your breath! Only knew of this from the above comment..GOP don't read!

[Ms. Toad]

12. Apparently that is a risk factor for this genetic karyotype

Fifty-seven (9.2%) cases were identified with 46, XY karyotype. Primary features: Uterus was absent in 33/47 (70.2%) cases and gonads absent in 18/34 (52.9%). Complete female external genitalia was observed in 36/48 (75%), ambiguous genitalia with clitoromegaly in 12/57 (21.1%), normal vagina in 13/48 (27.1%), blind in 27 (56.3%) and absent in 8 (16.7%) cases. In secondary features, normal breast was seen in 23/54 (42.6%), hypoplastic in 16 (29.6%) and absent in 15 (27.8%) cases. Axillary and pubic hair was normal in 6 (11.1%) and poorly developed in 48 (88.9%). Twelve (85.8%) were born to consanguineous parents and 8 had first cousin relationship (66.7%). The highly significant features associated with consanguinity were normal axillary hair, ovotestis, absent vagina and significant features were hypoplastic/normal pubic hair, absent gonads and clitoromegaly. The observed differences in the percentage calculation were because of the overlapping in features as well as the available information in the records. Conclusions: Genotype and phenotype correlation revealed that in primary features, absence of mullerian derivatives and gonads were important whereas in secondary features, axillary and pubic hair was poorly developed.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/288641032_Genotype_-_Phenotype_correlation_in_46_XY_females

I was afraid it was just a throw-away insult in the article, but it looks like it is actually relevant.

[Danmel]

9. If you haven't read Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides, I highly recommend it

It is a work of foction and it is fascinating and compelling.

[seleff]

10. Androgen insensitivity

One form of this phenomenon is due to androgen insensitivity. There are well documented cases of genetic males with mutations in the gene for testosterone receptor such that only estrogen receptors mediate sex steroid signals. These people develop secondary sex characteristics of females but lack ovaries and have undescended testicles. Google androgen insensitivity if you're curious. There are number of celebrities and models that have been suspected or have revealed that they have this characteristic.

[skypilot]

15. All I can say about this...

...is that that is one hell of a discovery to make from an x-ray of an ANKLE.

[nolabear]

16. Worth it for the term "fall pregnant" alone.

Interesting story. I wish them the best. But that gave me a chuckle.

[roamer65]

17. I hope she isn't persecuted.

If her name has been withheld, that worries me about it.

Sounds like she identifies as female, which is completely her choice, as it should be.

[pfitz59]

18. House did an episode on this