Intersex Surgery - Purposes of Genital Reconstructive Surgery

Purposes of Genital Reconstructive Surgery

The goals of surgery vary with the type of abnormality but usually include one or more of the following:

  1. to improve the potential for fertility
  2. to provide an outlet for menstruation
  3. to prevent or reduce urinary tract infections or obstruction
  4. to reduce risk of cancer in abnormal gonads.
  5. to close open wounds or exposed internal organs
  6. to improve urinary or fecal continence.
  7. to alleviate parental distress over the atypical genital appearance.
  8. to make the appearance more normal for the person's sex of rearing
  9. to reduce effects of abnormal genitalia on psychosexual development and gender identity
  10. to improve the potential for adult sexual relationships

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