USF St. Petersburg campus Honors Program Theses (Undergraduate)
First Advisor
Catherine Wilkins, Ph.D.
Publisher
University of South Florida St. Petersburg
Document Type
Thesis
Publication Date
2024
Date Issued
May 2024
Abstract
This thesis examines the medical treatment of intersex individuals through a public health and critical gender theory lens, evaluating whether current gender-normalizing interventions are evidence-based healthcare practices or reflections of the institutionalized gender binary in Western medicine. The study reviews existing literature on intersex prevalence, contemporary standards of care, the physical and psychological consequences of gender-normalizing surgeries and hormone therapies, and the decision-making processes that guide treatment for intersex children. Findings indicate that many interventions, including genital surgeries and gonadectomies performed during infancy or early childhood, often occur before patients can provide informed consent and may result in long-term complications such as chronic pain, incontinence, loss of sexual sensation, osteoporosis, psychological distress, increased rates of gender dysphoria, and elevated risks of self-harm and suicidality. The research further suggests that parents are frequently not provided with complete information regarding the potential risks and uncertain benefits of these procedures. Given the lack of empirical evidence demonstrating that early cosmetic interventions improve quality of life, the thesis argues that nonessential, non-life-threatening gender-normalizing treatments should generally be deferred until individuals are old enough to participate meaningfully in healthcare decisions. The study identifies significant gaps in existing research, particularly the absence of long-term, comprehensive outcome studies across diverse intersex populations, and advocates for the development of evidence-based clinical guidelines founded on patient well-being, informed consent, and bodily autonomy rather than adherence to binary gender norms. Ultimately, the thesis calls for expanded research and more inclusive healthcare practices to ensure ethical, patient-centered care for intersex individuals throughout their lives. [etheridgea...esis Draft | PDF]
Recommended Citation
Etheridge, Aimee R., "Good Medicine vs. The Gender Binary: An analysis of existing research on the effects of gender-normalizing care for intersex patients to determine the research gaps that must be filled in order to create inclusive clinical guidelines for all intersex people" (2024). USF St. Petersburg campus Honors Program Theses (Undergraduate).
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/honorstheses/298
Comments
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the University Honors Program University of South Florida, St. Petersburg May 3, 2024.