ESPE Abstracts

Background: Numerous studies from a variety of biomedical disciplines—genetic, endocrine, and neuroanatomical—have begun to shed light on the biological underpinnings of gender identity. Results of these studies support the concept that gender identity is not simply a psychosocial construct, but likely reflects a complex interplay of biological, environmental, and cultural factors.Objective and hypotheses: This review will highlight data from s...

Background: Sex hormones organize brain structure and function, particularly early in life. Endocrine neuroimaging offers the opportunity to assess the impact of sex hormones but also genetic contributions on structural neuroanatomy and neurocognitive-affective function in disorders of sexual development (DSD). This may be particularly relevant from a psychopathological perspective of how such neural changes contribute to mood and anxiety disorders frequently observed in DSD.<...

Background: Among individuals with DSD, some conditions are more prone to develop distress about ones assigned gender (gender dysphoria; GD) than others. For instance, the percentage of gender change and GD in female-raised persons with testosterone synthesis deficiencies is around 50%, whereas GD hardly seems to occur in complete androgen deficiency syndrome. Unfortunately in many studies information on GD and gender role changes often cannot easily be determined and clinical...

Introduction: The umbrella term disorders of sex development (DSD) encompass a conglomerate of different genetic conditions affecting gonadal and adrenal function. Access to specialized health care and dissatisfaction with medical and psychosocial care is an issue for many adult patients. However, it is not evident which type of health care meets the needs of care seekers with DSD.Patients and methods: The European multidisciplinary outcome study dsd-LIF...

Background: A decade ago the ESPE/LWSPE “Consensus Group on management of intersex conditions” proposed the new term Disorders of Sex Development and its acronym DSD as an umbrella term for congenital conditions in which the development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex is atypical. The Consensus Group intended to replace a potentially stigmatizing vocabulary; however, the new nomenclature attracted criticism.Objectiv...

Introduction: Disorders of sex development (DSD) describes conditions affecting gonadal and adrenal function and therefore to large extent affect fertility. In some cases the gonads have been removed due to risk of malignancy. Information to the patients about their fertility and treatment options have not been optimal in the past.Objective: To describe fertility outcome in the different diagnostic groups of DSD and to assess to what extent assisted repr...