The term 'intersex' refers to people who do not fit the binary model of sex — male or female. You might have differences in your:
In medicine, intersex variation is also called 'differences in sex development' or 'disorders in sex development' (DSD).
Intersex people have many different bodies and identities. You may identify as male, female or neither.
There are over 40 different intersex variations. They can affect you in different ways. For example, you might:
Often, other people you meet in daily life will not notice these intersex differences.
Intersex variation can happen because of differences with:
These differences can be inherited. Sometimes, there is no clear reason why this happens.
It's hard to know the exact number of people with intersex variations. This is because some people may not know that they have intersex variation.
Intersex variation happens in about 2 in every 100 births. This is about the same as the number of people with red hair.
The most common intersex variations are due to differences in chromosomes, such as:
Intersex variations that cause genitals to look different are less common.
You, or your child, might need to see a doctor at different stages of life. The care you receive from your doctor will depend on the types of concerns you have and your stage of life.
Doctors will check your baby for intersex signs soon after birth. If your baby's genitals look different, they may arrange some tests. These can include:
Speak to your doctor if you have any concerns about your child's development at puberty. For many people with intersex variations, their variation is not visible externally.
For some people, intersex features only become clear later in life. This can be when you:
Many types of intersex variation do not need any medical care. It's helpful to understand what to expect as your child grows older.
Most people with intersex variations are healthy and have normal lives. Some physical health issues are linked to specific intersex variations. These can include problems with:
For some people, there may be an increased chance of certain cancers.
You should talk to your doctor to understand any issues and risks linked with your intersex variation. This will help you to make the best choice about your care and treatment.
You may be thinking about hormone therapy. The type of therapy that is best for you depends on your situation.
Hormone therapy is a personal choice. Speak to your doctor if you are interested in hormone therapy.
If your child has intersex variation, speak to your doctor about the benefits and risks of hormone therapy. It's a good idea to be open and honest with your child and include them in all treatment discussions. Your child's opinion and gender identity should also be considered.
Psychological support is helpful if you or your child has intersex variation.
A diagnosis of intersex variation can be upsetting and may cause you or your child concerns about self-esteem and gender identity.
A psychologist can talk with you or your child about:
Support can help parents to understand intersex variation and what their child needs.
Surgery is the most controversial area of intersex care. In the past, intersex babies received surgery more often than today. The Australian Human Rights Commission and Australian Medical Association want to ban non-urgent surgeries on young children until they are mature enough to provide consent for themselves.
Before surgery, your doctor will consider and talk with you about:
Delaying surgery gives you time to understand your gender identity, which might be different from the sex you were assigned at birth.
Some intersex people may need medical treatment later in life to help them start a family.
Fertility counselling can help support people with intersex variations and their partners.
You may wish to access gender affirming care if you are also transgender or gender diverse.
If tests done at birth suggest intersex variation, you can talk with doctors about the results. Your baby's gender will be assigned after you discuss the test results with your doctor.
If you're a parent of an intersex baby, it's OK to delay announcing the name and sex of your child until you feel ready.
You don't need to say anything, but you could say that:
You may want to think about if you will raise your baby as a girl or boy or neither. This is an important personal decision.
Your health team can support you in making the decision. But it's also only a decision for now. Only your child will know how they identify as they grow up.
Intersex variation is not the same as being transgender. Transgender is when a person identifies as a gender that is different from the sex they were assigned at birth. This is also known as gender incongruence.
People with intersex variations may identify as any gender or sexuality.
The following organisations offer information and support:
For more information and intersex support, visit InterAction for Health and Human Rights (Opens in new tab).
You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Last reviewed: June 2026
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