Browsing by Author "Life with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Study Group"

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    Growing up with clitoromegaly: Experiences of North American women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia
    (Elsevier, 2022-12) Szymanski, Konrad M.; Kokorowski, Paul; Braga, Luis H.; Frady, Heather; Whittam, Benjamin; Hensel, Devon J.; Life with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Study Group; Urology, School of Medicine
    Introduction To describe experiences of clitoromegaly in women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Methods CAH females (46XX, ≥16 years old) from the United States and Canada were eligible for a cross-sectional online survey (2019–2020) if reporting clitoromegaly (life-long: “growing up with a larger than average clitoris,” secondary: “clitoris grew over weeks or months”). A multidisciplinary team and women with CAH drafted questions assessing net effects of clitoromegaly on 10 activities and 10 life domains. Fisher's exact test was used to compare net effect (positive-negative) vs. no effect (Bonferroni p = 0.05/10 = 0.005). Results Of 97 women with CAH enrolled, 53 women (55%, median age: 36 years, advocacy group recruitment: 81%) reported recognizing clitoromegaly at median 11–13 years old, with 21% identifying it in adulthood. There was no difference in self-reported timing or clitoral shape between life-long or secondary clitoromegaly (p ≥ 0.06). There were no net positive effects of clitoromegaly. Rather, clitoromegaly had net negative effects on 7/10 activities (p ≤ 0.003) and no net effect (neutral) on 3 (Table). Women were less likely to wear tight clothing, change clothes in public locker rooms and play group sports. Women reported net negative effects for most romantic activities (dating, any sexual activity, pain-free sexual activity, having a partner see their genitalia, p=<0.003), but did not report a net effect on pleasurable sexual activity (p = 0.12). Clitoromegaly had net negative effects in 9/10 life domains (p < 0.001) and neutral on job self-perception (p = 0.25). Few women reported any positive impact (2–6%). However, 49–59% of women experienced poor self-esteem, anxiety, gender self-perception and body image, while 36% felt “down or depressed.” Also, 21–23% experienced negative self-perception as friends and parents, 42–47% reported negative effects on plans for romantic and sexual relationships. Responses did not differ with advocacy group membership (p ≥ 0.02). Discussion Our findings support qualitative and case series evidence that clitoromegaly has a negative psychological outcome on women with CAH. Clitoromegaly may add to the burden of living with a chronic endocrine disease. Women with positive and negative experiences had the same opportunity to participate. Since we could not assess objective clitoral size, baseline virilization and exact nature of any childhood clitoral procedures, these data cannot be used to estimate the impact of specific clitoral size or effectiveness of early clitoral treatments. Conclusions Clitoromegaly appears to be common among women with CAH. While experiences of clitoromegaly vary between women, the overall experience is negative in multiple social, romantic, and emotional activities and domains.
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    Majority of females with a life-long experience of CAH and parents do not consider females with CAH to be intersex
    (Elsevier, 2021-04) Szymanski, Konrad M.; Rink, Richard C.; Whittam, Benjamin; Hensel, Devon J.; Life with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Study Group; Urology, School of Medicine
    Introduction To assess opinions of females with CAH, and parents of females with CAH, about designating this population “intersex,” particularly in legislation about genital surgery during childhood. Methods We conducted a mixed-methods (quantitative and qualitative) anonymous cross-sectional online survey of females with CAH (46XX, 16+years old) and independently recruited parents of girls with CAH (2019–2020) diagnosed in first year of life from the United States. A multidisciplinary CAH team drafted the survey in collaboration with women with CAH and parents. Fisher's exact test was used to compare female and parent responses. A qualitative thematic approach was used to analyze open-ended answers for emergent categories of reasons why CAH females should or should not be considered as intersex. Results Of 57 females with CAH participating (median age: 39 years, 75.5% of ≥25year olds had post-secondary degree), all had classical CAH and 93.0% underwent genital surgery at median 1–2 years old. While 89.5% did not endorse the intersex designation for CAH, the remaining 5.3% did (5.3% provided no answer, Summary Figure). Most CAH females (63.2%) believed CAH females should be considered separately in “any laws banning or allowing surgery of children's genitals” (19.3% disagreed, 17.5% neutral, 0.0% no answer). Most common themes identified by females with CAH not endorsing an intersex designation were: normal female internal organs, sex chromosomes, personal identity, genital appearance, issues with language, hormones, and those endorsing it: genital appearance, community/group experiences, topic complexity. Overall, 132 parents of females with CAH participated (parent/child median ages: 40/11 years, 81.7% of ≥25year olds had post-secondary degree). All children had classical CAH and 78.8% underwent surgery at median <1 year old. While 95.5% of parents did not endorse the intersex designation for CAH, 2.3% did (2.3% no answer), similar to females (p = 0.29). Most parents (81.1%) believed CAH females should be considered separately in legislation (9.1% disagreed, 6.1% neutral, 3.8% no answer), a slightly higher percentage than females (p = 0.01). Discussion Echoing previously published disagreement with clinically designating CAH females as intersex, majority of CAH females and parents oppose a legal intersex designation. Differing opinions among females and parents strengthen concern about a one-size-fits-all approach to legislation about childhood genital surgery. Differences in opinions between female and parent responses, while statistically significant, were relatively small. Conclusion: Majority of females with CAH and their parents believe CAH should be excluded from the intersex designation and be considered separately in legislation pertaining to childhood genital surgery in childhood.