Speaker: Pearl Martinez
Time: 6:10 PM
Place: Trustee Hall 117
Supervisor: Dr. Allan Hook
Title: Evaluation of Female Pseudo Hermaphrodites with CAH Syndrome: The Relationship between Clitoral Cosmetic Surgery and Physical and Psychological Long Term Effects

Abstract: The newborn child born with ambiguous genitalia, better known as a hermaphrodite, is becoming a more common diagnostic and treatment challenge to primary care physicians. The challenge arises when diagnosing the hermaphroditic child’s sex/gender and then in deciding upon a treatment. The purpose of this paper is to identify the medical advances that have evolved over time as well as the current treatments being performed on female pseudohermaphrodites. We will discuss and examine the biological syndrome, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, which affects the nature of the child’s physical sex differentiation. Primary focus of this study will be to identify the appropriate management of clitoral reconstructive surgical procedures, which will minimize any medical, psychological, and social complications. We will consider the research studies available, examining each surgical procedure and correlating the results of the surgery with the psychological effects of the pseudo hermaphrodites. Finally, this research will conclude with, which clitoral reconstructive surgery, if any, should be performed on female pseudo hermaphrodites born with the biological syndrome of congenital adrenal hyperplasia.