When we consider the intersectionality of sexual orientation and gender identity within the realm of intersex and LGBTQIA+ identities, we must recognize the multifaceted nature of individuals' experiences. For some intersex individuals, navigating aspects of identity may be complex, as their biological sex characteristics may not align with societal expectations of gender. Intersex individuals face a range of challenges in navigating their identities, including medical interventions without their consent, stigmatization, and lack of awareness and understanding from healthcare providers. These challenges highlight the need for clinicians to educate themselves on intersex experiences and provide inclusive and affirming care.

Resources for Clinicians to Support Intersex Patients
While you may be reading this thinking, ‘I don’t know anyone who is intersex,’ or ‘I don’t work with Intersex patients,’ you might be surprised to learn that you probably do! Intersex variations are as common as having red hair. The United Nations Free & Equal Initiative Intersex Fact Sheet states that “According to experts, somewhere between 0.05 percent and 1.7 percent of the global population is born with intersex traits. The upper estimate is bigger than the population of Mexico.” So, if you know, or have ever seen someone with red hair, you probably know or have seen someone who is intersex too.

Clinicians who are looking to better support their intersex patients can benefit from accessing resources specifically tailored to understanding and addressing the unique needs of this community. Two great Intersex-led organizations to help educate you and provide support to intersex patients and their caregivers are InterACT Advocates for Intersex Youth and InterConnect.

While you may be reading this thinking, ‘I don’t know anyone who is Intersex,’ or ‘I’ve never treated a patient who is Intersex’ you might be surprised to find that 1.7% to 4% of people are Intersex, according to Zeeman and Aranda (2020) in their 2020 article A Systematic Review of the Health and Healthcare Inequalities for People with Intersex Variance.

According to Haghighat, et. al (2023) in their article Intersex people's perspectives on affirming healthcare practices: A qualitative study, “Intersex people have variations in their sex characteristics that do not exclusively fall within binary definitions of male and female.” These variations can be chromosomal, hormonal, gonadal, or anatomical (Cochetti, Monro, Vecchietti, & Yeadon-Lee [2020] and Haghighat, et. al [2023]).

Intersex folx are often seen by multiple healthcare providers throughout their lifetime, including pelvic rehab practitioners. However, one thing that most don’t know, is that historically; Intersex folx have been very mistreated and pathologized by healthcare workers. Many Intersex folx have been given non-medically necessary and non-consensual surgical procedures and hormone treatments over the years; and unfortunately, some of these practices are still occurring around the world even today. Intersex folx have also been treated by providers with inaccurate education and inadequate training needed to provide care to Intersex populations, leaving many patients who are Intersex being the ones who educate their own medical providers about their variations and healthcare needs. Tiffany Jones (2018) also mentions in her article Intersex Studies: A Systematic Review of International Health Literature that even language in the medical literature is inaccurate and inadequate when describing Intersex populations (Jones, 2018).