Blog Archives

5-alpha reductase deficiency is one of several conditions where girls are born with XY karyotype (the usual male pattern). It is characterized by an absence of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone change to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Without DHT, prenatal … Continue reading →

The adrenal glands, located above the kidneys, are the pair of glands that are responsible for secreting various hormones, including androgens.

This means working with a child in a way that works with her or his level of understanding. For example, if you’re talking with a child about going to the doctor, it would be “age-appropriate” with most three-year-olds to use … Continue reading →

Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS) occurs when an individual has one X and one Y chromosome, but the body is unable to respond to androgens (male sex hormones). A person with complete AIS will develop female genitalia, while a person with … Continue reading →

Androgens are hormones (molecules or chemical messengers) made mostly by the testes, but also made to a lesser extent in the adrenal glands located above the kidneys, and in the ovaries. They stimulate male reproductive organ (sex organ) development and … Continue reading →

See Mullerian inhibiting substance.

Aphallia refers to being born without a penis, in a patient with otherwise typical male anatomy.

A scrotum that is separated by a deep cleft or groove into two parts.

A curving of the penis that can cause very painful erections. Pronounced like “cord ee” (the h is silent).

These are the long strands of tightly curled DNA that reside within the nucleus of all cells (except red blood cells). Each cell in your body has a full set of your chromosomes. The chromosomes contain the body’s genes, which … Continue reading →