Ambiguous Genitalia
Ambiguous Genitalia or Atypical genitalia is an uncommon condition that results in genitals that do not align with typical male or female characteristics. When a child is born with ambiguous genitalia, their sex organs may be underdeveloped or display a combination of male and female traits. The physical appearance of the genitals does not always correspond to the child's genetic sex or internal sex organs. It is a sex development abnormality, not a disease, noticeable at birth or shortly after.
If a child's sex is unclear, it can be tested to provide parents with information on how to care for their child. One in every 1,000 to 4,500 newborns is born with ambiguous genitalia.
Arete Hospitals is known as the Best Ambiguous Genitalia Surgery Hospital in Hyderabad and with a skilled team of specialists and cutting-edge medical technology, they provide exceptional care and personalised solutions for patients seeking expert evaluation and treatment in this sensitive field.
Benefits of Ambiguous Genitalia Treatment
- Treatment can alleviate emotional distress and boost self-confidence
- Addressing anatomical issues can enhance fertility prospects
- Proper treatment ensures proper sexual function
- Surgery can create a more typical genital appearance
- Timely treatment allows for intervention during a crucial developmental stage, minimising physical and emotional challenges in the long run
- Comprehensive treatment includes counselling and education for families, fostering understanding and coping strategies
- Treatment can help reduce societal stigma by creating genitals that align more closely with typical anatomical norms
- Addressing this condition can lead to a higher quality of life, enabling individuals to engage more comfortably in daily activities and relationships.
Proper treatment provided by Best Ambiguous Genitalia Surgery Doctors in Hyderabad ensures the absence of complications that could arise from untreated Ambiguous Genitalia.
Symptoms of Ambiguous Genitalia
When a child has ambiguous genitalia, the first thing to observe is that their external sexual organs do not resemble the average penis or vagina. Other symptoms of ambiguous genitalia include:
- Hormone imbalance
- Hypospadias is the absence of a urethral opening at the end of the penis.
- Atypical genitalia may appear differently in each case, depending on which sex chromosomes have been damaged.
Uncertain genitalia in females may appear as:
- A clitoris that is larger than usual and resembles a small penis
- A urethral hole in an unusual location
- Labia fused or shaped like a scrotum
- A tissue pocket inside the labia could be misinterpreted for testicles and a scrotum.
Uncertain genitalia in men may appear as:
- An undeveloped penis is too tiny or looks like a vast clitoris
- A urethral opening located at the base of the penis rather than the tip
- A small, open scrotum that could be confused with the labia.
- Non-descending testicles.
Symptoms can vary depending on when genital development is disrupted and what causes it.
Causes of Ambiguous Genitalia
The most common cause of ambiguous genitalia is an interruption in the development of developing sex organs. As an example:
- Insufficient male hormones for a genetically male foetus or the presence of male hormones in a genetically female foetus
- Certain genes have mutated and impacted sex development.
- Chromosome abnormalities in a foetus, such as an absent or extra chromosome.
Risk Factors of Ambiguous Genitalia
A child's family history may influence their genital development. Inherited genetic defects cause a large proportion of sexual development disorders. If a foetus has a family history of any of the following, they are more likely to have atypical genitalia:
- Infant death without a reason
- Females facing difficulties becoming pregnant, a lack of menstruation, and having excess facial hair.
- Genital anomalies
- Physical maturation is irregular during puberty.
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia refers to inherited genetic abnormalities that affect the adrenal glands.
Diagnosis of Ambiguous Genitalia
This condition can be detected before a child is born but cannot be confirmed until a healthcare expert examines the baby physically after birth. An Ambiguous Genitalia specialist in Hyderabad at Arete Hospitals hears about their family's medical history. Depending on the severity of the condition, people may receive a prompt diagnosis or be required to wait for test results, such as:
- Blood tests are done to determine chromosomes and hormone levels.
- X-rays, ultrasounds, and MRI scans are examples of imaging testing.
- Biopsies or laparoscopies to examine tissue extracted from the sex organs
The Best Ambiguous Genitalia Treatment Doctors in Hyderabad will consider the following factors:
- A pelvic ultrasound is performed to detect the presence of female reproductive organs
- If present, a genital urethrogram is performed to examine the urethra and vagina
- A chromosomal examination to aid in the determination of genetic sex: 46 XX against 46 XY
- Fertility concerns
- The ability of hormonal production by an internal reproductive organ suitable for the gender of upbringing
- Future health issues (for example, cancer) that may occur in the original reproductive organs later in life are a risk.
- Male versus female hormones' effects on the embryonic brain
- The perspective of the family.
Ambiguous Genitalia Treatment in Hyderabad
Ambiguous genitalia are unusual and complicated and may require a team of experts. A paediatrician, neonatologist, urologist, paediatric general surgeon, endocrinologist, geneticist, psychologist, or social worker may be part of the team.
Medications
Hormone therapy is one way to correct or compensate for hormonal imbalances. Proper hormone levels, for example, in a genetic girl with a little enlarged clitoris caused by a minor to a moderate instance of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, can reduce the size of the tissue. Other children may be given hormones when they usually enter puberty.
Surgery
The child's specific situation will determine the timing of surgery. Some doctors prefer to postpone surgery until an individual with ambiguous genitalia is mature enough to participate in the gender assignment decision.
Despite their uncertain external appearance, girls with ambiguous genitalia may have normal sexual organs. If a girl's vagina is buried beneath her skin, surgery as a child can improve sexual function later in life. Surgery to rebuild an incomplete penis may normalise the look and allow for erections in boys. Surgery to relocate the testes into the scrotum may be required.
For more information on Best Ambiguous Genitalia Surgery in Hyderabad, contact the expert surgeons at Arete Hospitals.
Ambiguous Genitalia Surgery Cost in Hyderabad
Ambiguous Genitalia surgery cost in Hyderabad can vary depending on the specific procedures required, diagnostic tests, surgeon experience, medical facilities, and individual cases. It's advisable to consult with Ambiguous Genitalia specialists in Hyderabad for accurate and personalised cost estimates.
1. Who is more likely to have ambiguous genitalia?
A family history is a significant risk factor to consider. The condition is caused by genetic anomalies that can be passed down through families. As a result, if a person's family has any congenital abnormalities or hormonal issues, they are more likely to have them.
2. What are the long-term consequences of having ambiguous genitalia?
Long-term consequences include infertility (inability to have a baby) and an increased risk of some cancers.
3. Is it possible to correct ambiguous genitalia?
The type of illness determines the treatment and is usually accomplished by surgery to rectify the malformed organs.
4. What are the long-term prospects for ambiguous genitalia?
People typically require hormonal therapy to retain their chosen identity and gender. The majority of people live healthy lives by using the appropriate treatment (medical, surgical, or hormonal).
Contact now Ambiguous Genitalia surgeons in Hyderabad at Arete Hospitals for more details!
