Intersex/Disorders of Sexual Development

Increasing Intersex Births Due to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

An increasing number of children are born with intersex variation (IV; ambiguous genitalia/hermaphrodite, pseudohermaphroditism, etc.). Evidence shows that endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the environment can cause reproductive variation through dysregulation of normal reproductive tissue differentiation, growth, and maturation if the fetus is exposed to EDCs during critical developmental times in utero.

Environmental Xenoestrogens, Antiandrogens and Disorders of Male Sexual Differentiation

Over the past 20 years, the documented increase in the disorders of male sexual differentiation, such as hypospadias, cryptorchidism, and micropenis, has led to the suspicion that environmental chemicals are detrimental to normal male genital development in utero. Environmental xenoestrogens (such as herbicides, pesticides, PCBs, plasticizers, and polystyrenes) that mimic estrogens or environmental antiandrogens (such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons, linuron, vinclozolin, and pp′DDE) that disturb endocrine balance, cause demasculinizing effects in the male foetus. These environmental chemicals are often referred to as endocrine disruptors:

Intersex Conditions Caused by Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

Gender dysphoria and intersex conditions are on the rise due to fetal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) while in the womb. A 2016 study says an urgent need exists for hormone disruptors like bisphenol A, phthalates, dioxins, furans, organochlorine pesticides, poly-chlorinated biphenyls, to be regulated.
 

BPA & BPS Alter Fetal Sex Specific Regions in The Developing Brain

A 2019 Study describes how xenoestrogens, bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS), can alter a developing fetus's sex specific regions in the brain, as well as changes in reproductive organs, both of which can lead to reproductive health concerns in adulthood.

Bisphenol A Exposure Linked to Sexually Dimorphic Disorders

A 2017 study discovered exposure to the xenoestrogen bisphenol A (BPA) caused sexual dimorphism and estrogenization which may explain the increased incidence of various metabolic disorders.

Bisphenol A Exposure Linked to Development of Intersex Infants

An increasing number of children in our modern world are born intersex (ambiguous genitalia/hermaphrodite, pseudohermaphroditism, etc.) which studies are linking to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) exposure, like bisphenol A, phthalates and dioxins.

How Common are Intersex Conditions?

An American Journal of Human Biology 2000 study reveals the rate of variance there is within male (XY) and female (XX) chromosomes and their subsequent sexualy dimorphic conditions. They surveyed medical literature from 1955 to 2000 for studies of the frequency of deviation from the ideal male or female and conclude that the frequency may be as high as 2% of live births.