Purposes of Genital Reconstructive Surgery
The goals of surgery vary with the type of abnormality but usually include one or more of the following:
- to improve the potential for fertility
- to provide an outlet for menstruation
- to prevent or reduce urinary tract infections or obstruction
- to reduce risk of cancer in abnormal gonads.
- to close open wounds or exposed internal organs
- to improve urinary or fecal continence.
- to alleviate parental distress over the atypical genital appearance.
- to make the appearance more normal for the person's sex of rearing
- to reduce effects of abnormal genitalia on psychosexual development and gender identity
- to improve the potential for adult sexual relationships
Read more about this topic: Intersex Surgery
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—Anna Quindlen (b. 1952)