Q56: Indeterminate sex and pseudohermaphroditism

Q56.2: Female pseudohermaphroditism, not elsewhere classified

The X chromosome and the Y chromosome determine a person’s biological gender. Men normally have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome. Women normally have 2 X chromosomes.

While developing in the womb, many different types of tissue develop in the body. The organs and body parts develop out of the various types of tissue. The internal and external genital organs also develop during the time in the womb. Male and female sex hormones are important for the development of the genital organs.

Your external genital organs resemble male genital organs. This can happen even though the biological sex is female and ovaries have developed.

There can be various reasons for genital organs not developing in accordance with biological sex. In the body, certain proteins ensure that processes run better or more quickly. These proteins are also known as enzymes. If the function of certain enzymes is impaired, too many male sex hormones may be present in the body. The external genital organs can then resemble male genital organs.