Experts from Shanghai Children’s Hospital diagnosed the patient with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a condition caused by the adrenal glands’ inability to produce cortisol normally. When this hormone cannot be produced, the body produces more androgens, or male hormones, than normal. Therefore, the female patient has clear male characteristics and genitals that are similar to those of a man. In other words, the husband’s true gender is female. However, due to the abnormalities in the development of the genital system, the external genitals cannot indicate the true gender, leading to the misunderstanding that he was a man from the beginning. However, while his external genitals are similar to those of a man, his internal genitals are still female.
The patient was not diagnosed with this disease early on, which led to a dilemma. However, the patient still has to live as a man. He has to undergo several treatments under the guidance of experts, including undergoing genital surgery at another hospital to completely transform his external genitals into male genitals. He also has to take medication to suppress the excessive secretion of androgens from the adrenal glands under the care of experts at Shanghai Children’s Hospital.
Professor Li Bin, chief expert from the endocrinology department of Shanghai Children’s Hospital It is pointed out that although DSD is not common, it is not a rare disease. However, the understanding, diagnosis and treatment resources of this disease in China are quite limited. Many patients have to be treated in many hospitals, making the process of finding a cure difficult. Parents whose children have abnormalities do not know where to turn for help.
Prof. Lipin emphasized that patients and families with DSD have a harder life than the general public and face enormous pressure. They not only face the challenges of treatment, but also have to deal with social misunderstandings and judgments about their gender and identity. Therefore, society should be more accepting and supportive.
