# What Is It Like To Be ‘Intersex’

- Link: https://stayathomemum.com.au/wellbeing/sexual-health/what-is-it-like-to-be-intersex/
- Published: 2015-08-17T11:00:05+10:00
- Author: MaryLouise Cartwright

## _One in every 1,500 babies is born with atypical genitalia to the point where a specialist is required to determine the sex of the child.  Historically, these babies were called Hermaphrodites_.

A hermaphrodite is an organism that is able to be either male or female as required
such as some invertebrates and many plant species.

### ** That is not the case in humans, so we use the term “Intersex”.**

Intersex literally means between the sexes and is not used exclusively for those
born with obvious sexual ambiguity. Many more people are born with subtle sex organ
variations some of which won’t show up until much later in life.

The causes of these sexual deviations are many and varied and are explained more
specifically as **Disorders of Sex Development (DSD).**

#### _**These disorders affect the sex organs and should not to be confused with being transgender or gay..**_

![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0b03261eae1aa4175bb8f00f72db88d584b7440ef5ac1d4346a56e325280f0aa?
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 MaryLouise Cartwright

 I am hilarious, I am laughing at myself right now. I am the mother of three children,
two of which I have successfully booted out of the nest. I do love being a SAHM 
and I have been showing off my skill set in my castle for over 20 years now.

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