The Orchis
A blog dedicated to Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome
What does The Orchis mean?
How to start going to therapy.
If you have AIS or are Intersex, chances are you have some trauma. It’s hard growing up in a society believing that there is only male and female, and then one day finding out that you have traits that are both male and female. It’s confusing, and there’s a lot to work through. That’s where therapy comes in, but how do you start going to therapy?
SRY, but these genes don’t fit!
THE SRY GENE! It is my favorite gene to pick on. Do you think just because I have Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome I should pick between aminoacid residues 688 and 712, 739 and 784, and 827 and 870 (source)? Nope, it’s all about SRY.
Can females have androgen insensitivity syndrome?
I have Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome. My Karyotype is 46 XY. My genotype, well, I carry a mutation on my X chromosome where I am unable to understand androgens (male hormones) which I inherited from my mother who inherited from her mother. My phenotype, is female.
What happens to a person with androgen insensitivity syndrome?
What happens to a person with Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome? We live a beautiful and full life filled with laughter, friends, and companionship. Having AIS doesn’t mean we’re relegated to a life alone – far from it! Society’s perspective towards sex is changing every day. Let’s talk about the medical, lifestyle, and advocacy opportunities that are now open to you now that you or a loved one are diagnosed with androgen insensitivity syndrome.
Sex is a Spectrum
Biological Sex is a spectrum. Yes you heard me correctly. Let me say it a little louder for those in the back: SEX IS A SPECTRUM.
What is Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome?
Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome is a medical condition that is caused by a mutation on the X chromosome which causes a mutation on the AR receptor. This mutation affects the body's ability to understand androgens such as testosterone.
Monitoring Gonads
After choosing not to have a gonadectomy, there are still health care decisions to be made. This list includes steps to follow to ensure that you are monitoring your testes.
Lessons Learned from Jurassic Park
I am personally very thankful for the lessons I’ve learned from Jurassic park about frogs, to know that terms like Pseudohermaphroditism are just weird and outdated when describing us with androgen insensitivity syndrome. If you hear or read that term, kindly remind that person that we are people, not frogs in Jurassic Park.
Why is this blog called The Orchis?
The root for the flower Orchid comes from the greek Órkhis, which means testis. Why, might you ask, would you name one of the most beautiful and exotic of flowers after testes? Well, the roots of the orchid plant look like a pair of testes!