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

Androgen insensitivity syndrome



How does androgen insensitivity syndrome affect gender identity?

There are different forms of androgen insensitivity.

Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome occurs when the body cannot respond at all to certain male sex hormones (called androgens). People with this form of the condition have female sex characteristics, but do not have a uterus. Without a uterus, they do not menstruate and are unable to carry a pregnancy or have their own biological child (infertile). They are typically raised as females and have a female gender identity.[1]

The partial and mild forms of androgen insensitivity syndrome occur when the body is able to partially respond to androgens. People with partial androgen insensitivity (also called Reifenstein syndrome) can have normal female sex characteristics, both male and female sex characteristics, or normal male sex characteristics. They may be raised as males or as females, and may have a male or a female gender identity.[1]
Last updated: 1/13/2016

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  1. Androgen insensitivity syndrome. Genetics Home Reference. May 2008; http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/androgen-insensitivity-syndrome. Accessed 3/30/2011.