FAQsQuestionHi, I have always felt different from the other little girls growing up. My older brother just told me that I was born a boy but I had problems with my penis. The doctor suggested to my parents that I should be changed into a baby girl and be nurtured as one. I am now 18 and have been with a man for the first time all the way. I can't stop crying, and the whole time he was inside me I wanted to be the man on the girl, but I can't. Answer There are many people in the world just like you who are born with genitals of both sexes or with genitals where it's not clear which sex they belong to. This situation is known as intersex. It has previously been common practice to perform operations early in a child's life. It was thought it would be better for the child who would grow into their physical sexual identity. Every situation is different and must be assessed individually. However, current recommendations say it is best to delay any sex changing operation until the person has grown up so that they can choose the gender in which they feel most comfortable. Your experience seems to show the value of waiting before a final decision is made. If you really feel you are in the wrong body there may be treatments and assistance, which will make you feel more comfortable in your self. There is an Australian Intersex Support Group based in Victoria, which is a support group for people in your situation. Often it can really help to talk to people who have been through similar experiences and will understand how hard it has been. It is a national support group and they can direct you to members closest to where you live. See their website below - you may like to contact them. http://home.vicnet.net.au/~aissg/ Another useful contact in Sydney is the Gender Centre, which offers counselling, support, referrals and education on gender issues. Their contacts are:
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