Congenital disorders of sexual differentiation are endocrine system diseases that are difficult to diagnose and treat.
Causes
Deviations from the norm in fetal sexual development may be due to genetic mutations and various chromosomal disorders. Another cause is toxic exposure to the fetus – the mother's intake of medications during pregnancy, trauma, infections, and poisoning. Hormonal imbalance in the mother's body at the time of embryo formation can also lead to dysgenesis of sexual differentiation.
Symptoms of Congenital Disorders of Sexual Differentiation
Of all types of disorders in sexual development, only Turner syndrome has clear symptoms. In this anomaly, there is an absence of secondary sexual characteristics, poorly developed external genitalia and mammary glands, skeletal deformities, a short neck, short stature, and cardiovascular disorders. In other forms of abnormal sexual organ development, where there are no external signs of pathology, a comprehensive diagnostic approach is conducted in Israel to identify disorders.
Diagnosis of Congenital Disorders of Sexual Differentiation in Israel
To determine the patient's sex, specialists from various fields of medicine – gynecology, endocrinology, psychoneurology, and andrology – are involved in Israel. The most advanced methods are used to study the endocrine system and hormonal status of the body. Computer tomography and ultrasound are used to examine the testes and ovaries, adrenal glands, thyroid gland, and pituitary gland.
Treatment of Congenital Disorders of Sexual Differentiation in Israel
Treatment of congenital anomalies of sexual development in Israel is conducted according to the results of the study. True hermaphroditism is treated by surgically removing undesirable characteristics after determining the dominant sex component. A series of surgeries for the reconstruction of mammary glands and sexual organs is performed. These are complex operations aimed not only at forming a sex but also at enabling full sexual relationships. In cases of false hermaphroditism, the shape of the sexual organs is altered. Tumors of the adrenal glands or pituitary gland are removed microsurgically (endoscopy). Psychosocial disorders are not treatable, and psychotherapy is mainly aimed at the social adaptation of the patient in their self-perception. To avoid the development of sexual identity disorders, future mothers should timely identify failures in the endocrine system, avoid taking medications and hormonal drugs, and lead a healthy lifestyle.