#(i think this kinda hormone variation is intersex?? I think?? I think that counts?)

[aromanticannibal]

"estrogen is a female hormone" "testosterone is a male hormone" THEN WHY DO MALES PRODUCE ESTROGEN AND FEMALES PRODUCE TESTOSTERONE ANYWAY

[intersex-support]

hi! Im uhm kinda questioning if I might be intersex? I have hyperandrogenism and clitoromegaly as diagnosed conditions, but my doctors say they come from a genetic complication from my diabetes. I have a rare genetic mutation, which means I don't have type 1 or 2 type diabetes, but rather type A insulin resistant diabetes. Im not sure if that would mean I can't be intersex because I've only seen things about PCOS so far, but the term intersex comes up when ever i search up my conditions. I was assigned afab and seemed totally normal until puberty and started growing facial hair. It's not a lot but its noticeable. I just wanted to see if the term intersex may applie to me? Sorry if this seems like a dumb question.

Hi anon! It's not a dumb question.

So, I wasn't familiar with Type A insulin resistance before this question, but I did some research to become more familiar with it. And based on everything I learned, I do think that this is a diagnosis that could be considered an intersex variation. Like you shared, it causes hyperandrogenism and clitoromegaly, which are often intersex traits.

I like InterACT's definition of intersex: "a variation that:

shows up in a person’s chromosomes, genitals, gonads or other internal reproductive organs, or how their body produces or responds to hormones;

Differs from what society or medicine considers to be “typical” or “standard” for the development, appearance, or function of female bodies or male bodies; and

Is present from birth or develops spontaneously later in life."

I think that insulin resistance A would meet all those criteria: it's a variation in how your body produces or responds to hormones that differs from what society considers "standard" sex traits for those assigned female at birth, in a way that might bring stigma or discrimination, and it is a lifelong variation, not something temporarily caused by medication or something like a tumor. Insulin resistance A isn't usually listed on intersex variation lists, but I honestly think that's because it's rare enough that orgs just aren't aware of it, and hadn't thought to research it because diabetes in general isn't an intersex variation.

Ultimately, I think it's up to you--if you don't feel comfortable identifying as intersex you don't have to, but in my opinion, you're welcome to identify as intersex, and I think you'd find a lot of shared community with other intersex people who might experience similar symptoms or life experiences. If you wanted to start exploring intersex community spaces, I think you'd find a lot of people who would accept you. Your journey is your own journey and there's no timeline or pressure to do anything, but you absolutely would count as intersex from my perspective.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any other questions, and wishing you the best of luck, anon!