“Can I Self Diagnose As Intersex?”

actuallyintersex:

We get a lot of questions asking if someone can “self diagnose” as intersex. This is a complicated issue that comes with a complicated answer. 

First off, we believe we should eradicate stigmatizing language like “diagnosis” when talking about our bodies because we believe that being intersex should not be pathologized nearly to the extent that it is. We are much more than our intersex traits! I will be using “identify” instead, and “trait” in replacement of “condition”.

Can you identify as intersex without a doctor saying that you are intersex? Let me start of by saying; your doctor will most likely never say that you are “intersex”. That terminology is deemed outdated in the medical community so it is almost always up to the person to self identify as intersex even if they have doctor-confirmed traits that are within the intersex umbrella.

If you have not been to a doctor about what you suspect to be an intersex trait, or do not feel comfortable going to a doctor about it (which is perfectly understandable), can you still identify as intersex? The short answer is yes. No one can stop you from identifying as intersex in reality, but I suggest really reflecting on why you identify as intersex. If you feel that you will find solace and that identifying as intersex matches up with your experiences then do so with caution. Understand that your experience might be much different than someone who has other intersex traits or has gone through forcible surgery and know that no one intersex person can speak on the behalf of our entire community. 

I suggest you go to our FAQ page and the page Mod D so graciously put together answering “am I intersex if…” questions that we get. 

- Mod H (other mods feel free to edit and add to this as you wish)

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