|
Intersexuality - The Intersexual Spectrum
|
|
Causes of Intersexuality - Hormones
|
|
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)
|
|
The medical term “congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)” - literally translated - means “inborn adrenal overgrowth”. It refers to a malfunction of the adrenal glands which lie next to the kidneys and produce various hormones essential for the body’s growth. In this particular case of malfunction, however, they do not produce the optimal amounts of certain hormones. Instead, the outer part of the adrenal gland (called “adrenal cortex”) thickens (i.e. becomes “hyperplastic”) and cannot function properly. As a result, the hormones production is impaired, and with it the development of the fetus, and later that of the child and adult. This can cause severe health problems and, among other things, some form of intersexuality.
The following subsections can offer only a greatly simplified description of the condition and its treament.
|
|
|
|
