Final answer:
Intersex is the term used for people with physical sex traits that don’t fit traditional male or female categories, not to be confused with transgender, which is about gender identity. Intersex characteristics can include variations in chromosomes and hormones, and medical interventions are typically only recommended for functional health reasons unless the individual can consent.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Intersex
Intersex refers to a person born with biological sex characteristics that aren't exclusively male or female as defined by conventional medicine. When sex traits, reproductive anatomy, hormones, or chromosomes differ from the typical binary classifications of male or female, a person may be defined as intersex. This can include variations such as different numbers of sex chromosomes or hormonal differences. These traits may be observable at birth or may emerge during puberty or later in life. Intersex is not synonymous with transgender, which describes individuals whose gender identity differs from their sex at birth. Unlike intersex, being transgender is about gender identity rather than physical sex characteristics.
It is important to note that intersex individuals may be healthy and not in need of medical intervention unless it's for life-functioning reasons. Also, the terms intersex and transgender should not be confused, as they refer to different aspects of a person's identity. The term cisgender describes individuals whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth, which contrasts with those who identify as transgender or non-binary. While the medical community generally advocates for delaying any potential surgery for intersex traits until an individual can consent, urgent medical interventions might be necessary for physiological functionality.