A 27-year-old woman in China, identified as Li Yuan, faced an unexpected discovery just days before her scheduled wedding when doctors discovered she is biologically male. Li, who lived her life as a female, underwent a thorough medical examination after concerns about not menstruating and delayed breast development since puberty.
At the age of 18, Li was diagnosed with abnormal hormone levels and potential ovarian failure. Despite doctors recommending a follow-up chromosome test at the time, Li and her family did not take it seriously. However, as she prepared for her wedding, Li decided to undergo a comprehensive examination, leading to the unexpected discovery.
Veteran gynecologist Duan Jie diagnosed Li with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), a rare disorder affecting only about 1 in 50,000 newborns. The disorder results in hormone imbalances due to genetic issues affecting the adrenal glands. Although socially identified as female, Li's chromosomal analysis revealed male sex chromosomes.
Recessive disorder-causing genes are carried by both of Li's parents, significantly increasing the possibility that she may inherit the abnormal condition. Test results revealed Li's struggle with osteoporosis and vitamin D deficiency, which were brought on by a delay in receiving treatment, in addition to the CAH diagnosis.
Because of her male biological structure, Li had a testicle in her abdomen, which increased her risk of developing cancer. Doctors advised quick surgical removal as a consequence. Li had the dangerous procedure to remove the hidden testicle early in April.
Li requires long-term hormone medication and routine examinations to effectively handle her health after the procedure. In view of the unexpected discovery and the difficulties it presents, Li's case has received a lot of attention on Chinese social media sites.
People expressed sympathy for her situation and complimented her strength for facing such a severe identity issue. In order to address such complex illnesses, Dr. Duan stressed the value of immediate medical intervention and treatment for those displaying symptoms similar to Li's.
(Input from various media sources)
(Rehash/ Susmita Bhandary/MSM)