Hermaphrodites are generally referred to as intersex people in modern times. They have both male and female sex characteristics and define their gender identification - like everyone else - for themselves.
A question that plays an important role for many in this context is: Can I have or father children as an intersexual person?
Intersexuality can be pronounced in different ways. It is quite possible that an intersexual person only finds out about it, for example, when he/she tries to have or to father children for years and his/her wish remains unfulfilled. An existing intersexuality does not have to be too clearly visible from the outside. Sometimes even minor variations are enough to cause a person to be considered a hermaphrodite.
Hermaphrodite people were often operated in the past
Many hermaphrodites today have to realize that years ago they were operated on as an infant or toddler... and without their consent. This is exactly what can lead to bad, traumatic wounds. Just a few years ago, gender reassignment surgery, usually at the request of the parents, was the remedy of choice.
Today, it is much more complicated to realize such an intervention. Especially if the hermaphrodite concerned has no health restrictions or hazards. Often, it is precisely these interventions that have led to the fact that it is no longer possible for those affected to have or father children today.
Anyone who has been operated on as a hermaphrodite against their will or without their consent and would like to come to terms with what happened can turn to relevant counseling services, especially in the somewhat larger cities. Help is also available online.
Also hermaphrodite people can create a family
The good news is that even hermaphrodites' desire to have children does not necessarily have to remain unfulfilled. However, depending on the characteristics, it may be important to seek medical advice.
The right contact person in the first step is the family doctor. If necessary, he or she will then refer you to the experts at a fertility clinic.
Are hermaphrodites discriminated against in today's world?
Unfortunately, many hermaphrodites still face discrimination. Especially when their intersexuality is visible from the outside.
Classic examples are women whose beard and men whose breast grows. The pressure on those affected is often particularly high, so that it often takes the support of a psychologist to continue to maintain as high a quality of life as possible.
Many hermaphrodites also find it helpful to talk with others to learn that they are not alone.
Are hermaphrodites men or women?
Hermaphrodites exhibit both male and female sexual characteristics. Many people speak of the "third sex" in this context. But the question of one's own gender identification also plays an important role here.
For example, there are many hermaphrodites people who clearly define themselves as a woman or as a man and emphasize the respective characteristics even more in order to show their said identification to the outside world.
When do you realize that you are intersex?
The point in time when it is noticed that an intersexuality is present can vary from case to case. While sometimes it is already noticed at birth that hermaphrodite characteristics are present, in other cases it may well take longer until an existing intersexuality is put into the room.
In principle, however, it is not dangerous to be a hermaphrodite in the vast majority of cases. Only a few intersexuals have health problems due to existing hermaphrodite characteristics.
Really complex I'm out but it was interesting to read something about it