Question 1

what does androgen insensitivity syndrome mean?

Accepted Answer

XY baby is a girl: Without testosterone (t), all babies develop as girls.  So a child with 1 x & 1 y chromosome, who would normally be a boy, would develop as a girl if no t was present.  In androgen insensitivity syndrome, the t is there, but the cells are insensitive to it, and don't respond, so it's as if the t was not there at all.  So an xy genetic boy baby is born looking like a normal healthy baby girl.

Question 2

what is partial androgen insensitivity syndrome?

Accepted Answer

It's complicated!: Patient born with poor testosterone action, so a male patient is female-appearing, and is usually raised by the family as a female.  Big changes at puberty, however, with breast development, but also enlargement of the clitoris which can be quite alarming, and other male sex characteristics.  Removal of the testicles can preserve female body identity and appearance in this disorder.

Question 3

can you tell me about androgen insensitivity syndrome?

Accepted Answer

AIS: Defects in androgen receptor function cause a disorder of sex development in which 46,XY individuals do not virilize normally, despite the presence of bilateral testes and serum testosterone concentrations within or above the normal male range. The presentation varies from Complete or Partial Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome with variable phenotypes.

Question 4

what age do you suspect androgen insensitivity syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Puberty: Usually, xy babies are born looking like healthy baby girls. During puberty, however, they don't develop secondary sexual characteristics that require testosterone such as axillary or pubic hair. Since estrogen is present, they grow breasts and develop a thin waist with larger hips, but don't have periods since they lack a uterus. Most often, lack of periods by age 15 or 16 leads to the diagnosis.

Question 5

does anyone famous have androgen insensitivity syndrome?

Accepted Answer

I bet you the answer: To that is yes, but i'm not sure they'll do a commercial about it...

Question 6

what is androgen insensitivity syndrome and how will it affect me?

Accepted Answer

Resistance: To testosterone in a man. This can lead to varying degrees of female attributes. It is rare. See an endocrinologist.

Question 7

what are tests for androgen insensitivity syndrome in a young person?

Accepted Answer

It's complicated!: Androgen insensitivity syndrome is an extremely complex disorder due to failure of development in the genital area, with sometimes dramatic changes at puberty.  Due to complex issues with gender, anatomy, and subsequent treatment, questions about this disorder should be addressed with a pediatric endocrinology consultation.

Question 8

what is the treatment for androgen insensitivity syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Can be Complicated: Complete ais isn't usually discovered until a girl fails to menstruate & has little or no pubic/underarm hair. No uterus, but those w/cais have intraabdominal testes which are removed because of cancer potential. Female by default as they can't respond to androgens in utero.  Partial ai: babies are born with variable degrees of virilization. Assigning sex can be complicated.

Question 9

are people with androgen insensitivity syndrome intersex?

Accepted Answer

Variable features: Androgen insensitivity may lead to a normal looking female or, with partial insensitivity, testicles may be present. If a female, she will be infertile. Go to pubmed health for more detailed information.

Question 10

can women with androgen insensitivity syndrome get pregnant?

Accepted Answer

No: Women with androgen insensitivity do not have internal female organs-- no uterus or fallopian tubes.  Their gonads are testes, not ovaries.  Externally, they have the appearance of normal females, but do not develop pubic or underarm hair.

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Medicine for androgen insensitivity syndrome

A member asked:

What does androgen insensitivity syndrome mean?

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What is partial androgen insensitivity syndrome?

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Can you tell me about androgen insensitivity syndrome?

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What age do you suspect androgen insensitivity syndrome?

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Does anyone famous have androgen insensitivity syndrome?

A member asked:

What is androgen insensitivity syndrome and how will it affect me?

A member asked:

What are tests for androgen insensitivity syndrome in a young person?

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What is the treatment for androgen insensitivity syndrome?

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Are people with androgen insensitivity syndrome intersex?

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Can women with androgen insensitivity syndrome get pregnant?

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