Sex traits can vary for different reasons
Medical experts say these variations are a part of human biology, and that sex is not always as clear-cut as male or female.
Chromosomes and genes
Those with XX chromosomes are
typically assigned female at birth.
Those with XY chromosomes are
typically assigned male. People
can be born with variations like
XXY and X0.
Hormones
People of all genders and sexes
produce hormones at a range of
levels. Differing hormone levels can
cause anatomical variations that
are not associated with the binary
categories of male or female.
Anatomy
Although many people are
assigned a sex at birth based on
external anatomy alone, there are
many naturally occurring
variations in both internal and
external anatomy.
Secondary sex characteristics
Some difference in sex
development (DSD) traits only
become apparent at puberty,
when secondary sex
characteristics, such as facial hair,
breast tissue or distinct body
shapes start to develop.
Chromosomes and genes
Those with XX chromosomes are typically
assigned female at birth. Those with XY
chromosomes are typically assigned male.
People can be born with variations like
XXY and X0.
Hormones
People of all genders and sexes produce
hormones at a range of levels. Differing
hormone levels can cause anatomical
variations that are not associated with the
binary categories of male or female.
Anatomy
Although many people are assigned a sex at birth based on external anatomy alone, there are many naturally occurring variations in both internal and external anatomy.
Secondary sex characteristics
Some difference in sex development (DSD) traits only become apparent at puberty, when secondary sex characteristics, such as facial hair, breast tissue or distinct body shapes start to develop.
Chromosomes and genes
Typically, people with XX chromosomes are assigned female at birth. Those with XY chromosomes are typically assigned male.
People can be born with variations like XXY and X0.
Hormones
People of all genders and sexes produce hormones at a range of levels. Differing hormone levels can cause anatomical variations that are not associated with typical binary categories of male or female.
Anatomy
Although many people are assigned a sex at birth based on external anatomy alone, there are many naturally occurring variations in both internal and external anatomy.
Secondary sex characteristics
Some differences in sex development (DSD) traits only become apparent at puberty, when secondary sex characteristics, such as facial hair, breast tissue or distinct body shapes start to develop.
