National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Swyer syndrome

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Can women with Swyer syndrome experience orgasms?
There have been conflicting reports regarding the sexual experiences of individuals affected by disorders of sexual development (DSD). Some reports have stated that the majority of individuals with 46,XY DSD (including Swyer syndrome) experience increased sexual problems and impairment of sexual function; others report that the majority of individuals with DSD report having experienced orgasm.[1] More specifically, a 2006 study by McCarty et al which investigated the psychosexual outcome of 3 women with Swyer syndrome stated that all 3 affected women reported the ability to achieve orgasm.[1][2] Although these reports do not specify that affected individuals can regularly reach climax during sexual activity, they do indicate that women with Swyer syndrome can experience orgasm.[1]
Last updated: 4/3/2013

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  1. Schonbucher V, Schweizer K, Richter-Appelt H. Sexual quality of life of individuals with disorders of sex development and a 46,XY karyotype: a review of international research. J Sex Marital Ther. 2010; 36(3):193-215.
  2. Bryan M. McCarty, Claude J. Migeon, Heino F.L. Meyer-Bahlburg, Howard Zacur and Amy B. Wisniewski. Medical and Psychosexual Outcome in Women Affected by Complete Gonadal Dysgenesis. Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2006; 19:873-877.