Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is a condition that affects an individual's development of sexual characteristics. People with AIS are born with a reproductive system that is neither wholly male nor female, and are thus considered intersex.
What is Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome?
Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is a condition that affects an individual's development of sexual characteristics. It is a genetic disorder that results in a person's cells not being able to respond to androgens, which are hormones that direct male sexual development. AIS can have a range of effects, from mild to severe, on the development of the reproductive system.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome?
The signs and symptoms of AIS can vary considerably, depending on the individual's level of insensitivity. People with mild AIS may have normal appearing external genitalia, while those with severe AIS may have genitals that appear more female than male. In most cases, AIS will be diagnosed at birth as the external genitalia will not appear to match the chromosomal sex of the individual. Other signs and symptoms of AIS may include:
• Infertility
• Abnormal or incomplete pubertal development
• Abnormal or incomplete sexual development
• Undescended testes
• Abnormal or incomplete pelvic development
• Ambiguous genitalia
Are People With Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome Intersex?
Yes, people with AIS are considered to be intersex, which means they have reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn't fit the typical definitions of male or female. Intersex people are born with any of several variations in sex characteristics including chromosomes, hormones, internal reproductive organs, and genitalia.