Potentash
  • Relationships
    • The Singlehood Series
    • Dating
    • Sex
    • Parenting
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Food + Beverage
    • Fashion
    • Interviews
  • Stories
    • The Singlehood Series
    • Fiction
    • Poetry
  • Skin + Beauty
    • Skin
      • Skincare
    • Hair
      • Haircare
  • Wellness
    • Physical Health
    • Emotional Wellness
    • Mental Wellness
    • Social Wellness
    • Spiritual Wellness
  • Business
    • Business Finance
    • Personal Finance
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Investments
    • Personal Investments
  • Entertainment
    • Internet
    • Events
    • Music
    • Books
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
Potentash
  • Relationships
    • The Singlehood Series
    • Dating
    • Sex
    • Parenting
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Food + Beverage
    • Fashion
    • Interviews
  • Stories
    • The Singlehood Series
    • Fiction
    • Poetry
  • Skin + Beauty
    • Skin
      • Skincare
    • Hair
      • Haircare
  • Wellness
    • Physical Health
    • Emotional Wellness
    • Mental Wellness
    • Social Wellness
    • Spiritual Wellness
  • Business
    • Business Finance
    • Personal Finance
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Investments
    • Personal Investments
  • Entertainment
    • Internet
    • Events
    • Music
    • Books
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
Potentash
No Result
View All Result
Intersex symbol on car

Intersex symbol on car Image from https://bit.ly/3XabWR7

Intersex: Separating Facts From Myths

Understanding what it means to be intersex

Nereah Obimbo by Nereah Obimbo
13 January 2023
in Relationships
Reading Time: 3 mins read
2 0
0
2
SHARES
11
VIEWS
FacebookTwitterWhatsApp

Intersex is a general term used to describe a variety of conditions in which an individual is born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that does not fit typical, binary definitions of male or female. Intersex individuals have a wide range of physical characteristics, which can include variations in chromosomes, hormones, or genitals. These individuals may have mixed genitalia, meaning some combination of ovaries and testes. The ovarian and testicular tissues may grow together in the same organ or they may have a ‘male side’ or ‘female side’ develop on the inside. So many myths about being intersex abound, here are the most common ones that have been debunked.

Myth 1: Intersex individuals are extremely rare

This is not true. One estimate has it that 1 in every 2,000 individuals is born with intersex traits. While that statistic is contested, there are more intersex people than most people assume. One challenge regarding getting more accurate stats is the stigma around being intersex. The rarity of intersex traits has been exaggerated in part because of a lack of public awareness and understanding of the condition.

Myth 2: Intersex individuals are hermaphrodites

A hermaphrodite is a mythical creature that is half-male and half-female with both genitalia fully developed. Intersex individuals, however, do not possess both sets of fully-functioning reproductive organs. They may have physical characteristics that are not typical of males or females, but they are still either male or female, not fully both.

Myth 3: Intersex individuals are mentally or emotionally disabled

There is no evidence to support the idea that intersex individuals are more likely to have mental or emotional health issues than the general population. This belief is likely based on a lack of understanding about intersex conditions and the assumption that intersex individuals are “abnormal.” In fact, the mental and emotional stress faced by intersex individuals often comes from societal stigma and discrimination, not from their physical characteristics.

Myth 4: Intersex individuals can’t have children

This is not true. While some intersex individuals may have difficulty conceiving due to physical characteristics, others are fully capable of having children. It’s also important to know that intersex individuals, like any other individuals, have the right to make decisions about their own reproductive health and should be able to access appropriate healthcare.

Myth 5: Intersex individuals should be subjected to surgeries

It was a common practice in the past, particularly in the medical field, to perform surgeries on intersex infants and children to make their physical characteristics conform to typical definitions of male or female. These surgeries, which can include the removal of gonads, and correction of internal or external genitals, are often motivated by a desire to “normalize” the child’s appearance rather than by any medical necessity.

It’s important to note that many intersex individuals have spoken out against these surgeries, and have advocated for the right to make their own decisions about their bodies. Intersex rights activists have called for a shift away from a focus on “normalizing” intersex individuals through surgery, and instead, on providing them with the support and resources they need to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

Intersex individuals are not a rare phenomenon, they are not hermaphrodites, they are not mentally or emotionally disabled, they are not incapable of having children and they are not supposed to be subjected to surgeries without their own consent to conform to one sex. Raising awareness and educating ourselves on the topic of intersex can help to dispel these myths and create a more inclusive and understanding society for all people, including those who are intersex.

Check out

Sexual Essentials And Challenges For Lesbians, Bisexuals, Queer And Transgender Women

10 Types Of Gender-Based Violence We Don’t Talk About Enough

Share1Tweet1SendSharePin
Previous Post

Warning Signs Of Electrical Problems You Should Never Ignore

Next Post

Drug-Resistant Gonorrhoea: What You Need To Know Super Gonorrhea, Symptoms And Treatment

Nereah Obimbo

Nereah Obimbo

Writer. Youtuber. Filmmaker. Abolitionist. Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will.

Next Post
Drug-Resistant Gonorrhoea: What You Need To Know Super Gonorrhea, Symptoms And Treatment

Drug-Resistant Gonorrhoea: What You Need To Know Super Gonorrhea, Symptoms And Treatment

Please login to join discussion

Recommended

He Made Millions From Blackmailing Powerful Men Part 2 – The Hunter Becomes The Prey

He Hadn’t Planned To Become A Criminal But When The Opportunity To Make Some Good Money Came His Way He Took It

4 June 2023
162
7 Health Benefits Of Coconuts

7 Health Benefits Of Coconuts

9 January 2022
166

Popular Stories

  • Kenyan Musician J. S. Ondara Nominated For A Grammy Award For His Album Tales Of America

    Kenyan Musician J. S. Ondara Nominated For A Grammy Award For His Album Tales Of America

    20 shares
    Share 8 Tweet 5
  • I Hooked Up With My Sister’s Best Friend

    333 shares
    Share 133 Tweet 83
  • What To See In Ireland In 7 Days | An Ultimate Guide

    26 shares
    Share 10 Tweet 7
  • Travel: Everything You Need To Know About The Nairobi Commuter Train Schedule

    7741 shares
    Share 3096 Tweet 1935
  • When The Past Returns Without Permission: Parenting Through Betrayal, Forgiveness, And Uninvited Truths

    2 shares
    Share 1 Tweet 1

Potentash Blog

Potentash is an award-winning lifestyle blog. We publish lifestyle content that intersects with health, women, beauty, travel, business, relationships, finances and entertainment.

Explore

  • The Singlehood Series
  • From Stairs To Ramps
  • Man Around Nairobi
  • Pearls And Heels
  • Personal Finance
  • Food + Beverage
  • Editor’s Pick
  • Reviews

Get the Potentash Newsletter

  • Newsletter Archive
  • Subscribe
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2023. Potentash, In Partnership with Decima

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Linked In
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
  • Login
No Result
View All Result
  • Relationships
    • The Singlehood Series
    • Dating
    • Sex
    • Parenting
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Food + Beverage
    • Fashion
    • Interviews
  • Stories
    • The Singlehood Series
    • Fiction
    • Poetry
  • Skin + Beauty
    • Skin
      • Skincare
    • Hair
      • Haircare
  • Wellness
    • Physical Health
    • Emotional Wellness
    • Mental Wellness
    • Social Wellness
    • Spiritual Wellness
  • Business
    • Business Finance
    • Personal Finance
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Investments
    • Personal Investments
  • Entertainment
    • Internet
    • Events
    • Music
    • Books

Copyright © 2023. Potentash, In Partnership with Decima