A National Study on the Physical and Mental Health of Intersex Adults in the U.S

Overview

Journal PLoS One

Specialties General Medicine
Science

Date 2020 Oct 9

PMID 33035248

Citations 27

Authors

Amy Rosenwohl-Mack

Suegee Tamar-Mattis

Arlene B Baratz

Katharine B Dalke

Alesdair Ittelson

Kimberly Zieselman

Jason D Flatt

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the health of intersex adults (people with differences of sex development) in the U.S. using community-based research methods.

Methods: In July-September 2018, we conducted a national health study of intersex adults aged 18 and older in the U.S., using a survey hosted on Qualtrics. The study describes the physical and mental health experiences of intersex adults, including differences by age (18 to 39 vs. 40 and older). Questions were derived from national (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System) and intersex-related health studies.

Results: A non-probability sample of 198 intersex adults completed the survey over three months. Over 43% of participants rated their physical health as fair/poor and 53% reported fair/poor mental health. Prevalent health diagnoses included depression, anxiety, arthritis, and hypertension, with significant differences by age. Nearly a third reported difficulty with everyday tasks and over half reported serious difficulties with cognitive tasks.

Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first national study of intersex adults in the U.S. Greater understanding of intersex health over the life course is essential. Findings highlight the need for longitudinal studies and further examination of potential health disparities experienced by intersex populations.

Citing Articles

Efficacy of videoconferencing-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy to reduce anxiety disorder severity in LGBTQ+ people: An exploratory trial protocol.

Dunn I, Power E, Casey L, Wootton B PLoS One. 2025; 20(1):e0316857.

PMID: 39854414 PMC: 11760579. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0316857.

Survey of Urogynecology Fellows on the Care of Patients with Differences in Sex Development/Intersex Traits.

Grimstad F, Boskey E, Staffa S, Streed Jr C, Dalke K, Baratz A Int Urogynecol J. 2025; .

PMID: 39786523 DOI: 10.1007/s00192-024-06024-7.

Towards equity & inclusion: a critical examination of genetic Counselling Education on Intersex Healthcare.

Atayan A, Huerne K, Palmour N, Joly Y BMC Med Educ. 2024; 24(1):942.

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"I've had constant fears that I'll get cancer": the construction and experience of medical intervention on intersex bodies to reduce cancer risk.

Ussher J, Carpenter M, Power R, Ryan S, Allison K, Hart B Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2024; 19(1):2356924.

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Enduring uncertainties. Medical accounts on caring for young people with variations of sex characteristics.

Reber N, De Clercq E Dialogues Health. 2024; 1:100014.

PMID: 38515880 PMC: 10953950. DOI: 10.1016/j.dialog.2022.100014.

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