ipso-faculty:

Compiling some terms/posts useful for people questioning if intersex

Note: If a definition in is in quotes, the source material it is quoted from is linked to by the relevant term.

Highly relevant terms

Extersex – “[A] term for those who do not know whether they are dyadic or intersex. It could be because one feels as though they might be some form of intersex, but are unable to medically confirm it, or cannot confirm what intersex variation it is. It may also be for those who have a variation that may be considered intersex, but are uncertain if they want to identify as intersex.” – @themogaidragon

Quoisex – “[An] umbrella term for anyone who doesn’t quite understand their sex or doesn’t want to define their sex.” – LGBTQIA+ Wiki
Note: I understand this as more general than extersex, and would include people questioning if altersex. See the wiki entry for subtypes (quoigonadal, quoichest, etc)

Altersex – “An umbrella term to describe having or wanting primary or secondary sex traits/characteristics that do not align with the binary sex model that a significant portion of society has adopted. It is primarily used by those who are not intersex and are trans+ and wish to or transition specifically to have a body that does not fit the aforementioned sex model.” –@intersex-questions
Note: Being altersex does not make somebody intersex. I include it because many people questioning their intersex status realize this is what they’re looking for.

Anisohormonal – “Aniso (unequal/uneven) + hormonal (relating to hormones). An individual who has an imbalance of hormones for any number of reasons. Such individuals may or may not also be intersex.” – @sproutflags
Note: includes non-intersex variations such as diabetes.

Subtypes of intersex people

Note: In my experience most people questioning if they’re intersex have a hormonal intersex variation like PCOS, so I’m skewing towards this accordingly.

Dysgonadal – “[having] dysfunctional gonads. This includes agonadal (no gonads) and hypogonadal. Also known as gonadal agenesis/dysgenesis, dyssex and nullogonadal/asexed (null sex or avaginal/aphallia).” – @arco-pluris
Note: contrasted with eugonadal – “people with functional gonads (reproductive cells). Includes hypergonadal (hyperfunctional gonads)”

Interhormonal – “Someone who is intersex and anisohormonal and/or feels that being intersex has impacted their identity as anisohormonal in some way and/or that their identity as anisohormonal has impacted their identity as intersex in some way.” – @sproutflags

Intermeer – “a term used to describe all intersex variations that are caused by an overproduction of horomones (testosterone, estrogen, or both.)” – LGBTQIA+ Wiki
Variations include: AES, FMPP, PCOS. Part of The Autre System for categorizing intersex variations.

Intermindre – “a term used to describe all intersex variations that are caused by a lack of horomones (testosterone, estrogen, or both.)”
Note: The wiki lists AIS and EIS as examples although they are not due to a lack of hormones, but rather a lack of sensitivity to them. Part of The Autre System for categorizing intersex variations. See the wiki for more subtypes. Thank you to anon asker who pointed out the AIS/EIS issue.

Mesosex – “[A] person who has an intersex variation, but one which does not conform to perisex (non-intersex) ideas of what intersex is. For example, people who have intersex traits that are considered "mild”, or who have variations such as PCOS Hyperandrogenism and Poland Syndrome.“ – @ipso-faculty

Interdynamic – "a term for individuals whose secondary sexs [sp] characteristics do not match with the typical secondary sex binary.” – @omegai

More intersex terminology

Intersex Terminology Masterpost by @intersexfairy

Edits:
– 2023-12-13: corrected AIS mischaracterized as lack of hormones, ty to anon for correction
– 2023-12-13: added interdynamic