中間性的原因- 激素因素

治 療
5-α-還原酶缺乏容易被誤診為某種類型的男性性激素失敏性綜合征(參見該綜合症)，並且，由於他們外觀上的女性身體特徵的原因，大多數罹患這種病症的孩子只是被當作女孩子來撫養。但是，青春期向男性性徵的這種轉變通常會暴露真實的病症。一般說來，在現代西方社會，一直就不大能夠容忍女孩在青春期變為男孩並作為男性成人生活。所以，在過去，各種各樣常規的外科干預手術全然不顧患者的染色體性別，總是設法通過維持他們的“女性特徵”而使這種孩子“標準化”。這種傳統的醫療慣例現在正受到各種各樣的中間性社團的抨擊。如果這個外表為女孩的當事人非常堅定地認可她的女性性角色，則這樣的病例倒也另當別論，據此在青春期之前施行適當的外科手術也許是正確的。但是，考慮到所涉及的心理與法律問題的複雜性(往後可能有怠忽職守的法律訴訟)，家長和醫生都應該正式地徵求和尊重這個孩子的個人意見，並且也要從有關宣導和支持個人權益的社團獲得更多的諮詢資訊。

援助社團
過去，患有5-α-還原酶缺乏的男性及其家人常常感到孤立無助，也發現難以獲得更多的有關病症知識。然而，近年來，已經成立了許多援助社團。這些團體會樂意提供額外的知識，它們也在其他相關的網站建立超連結，以提供幫助。例如以下的社團也援助罹患5-α-還原酶缺乏的患者(請點擊下麵的圖示)。

男性性激素失敏性綜合征援助社團(AISSG)

Causes of Intersexuality - Hormones

Treatment
5-ARD is easily misdiagnosed as some form of AIS (see there), and, because of their outwardly female bodies, most of the children affected are simply raised as girls. However, the changes of puberty toward maleness usually reveal the actual condition. Generally speaking, in modern Western societies there has been little tolerance for girls turning into adolescent boys and then living as male adults. In the past, therefore, various early surgical interventions routinely tried to “normalize” the children by keeping them “female” in spite of their chromosomal sex. This traditional practice is now being challenged by various intersex groups. The case is different, if the girl very strongly identifies with her female role. It may then be correct to perform the appropriate surgery before puberty. However, considering the complexity of the psychosocial and legal issues involved (possible later law suits for malpractice), both parents and doctors should solicit and honor the opinion of the child and also obtain additional information from advocacy and support groups.

Support Groups
In the past, persons with 5-ARD and their families often felt isolated and found it difficult to learn more about the condition. However, in recent years, a number of support groups have organized. They will gladly supply additional information as well as links to other related sites. The following group, for example, also supports persons with 5-ARD (click on logo).