ANDROGEN INSENSITIVITY SYNDROME (AIS)

A genetic anomaly where an embryo with XY (male) chromosomes is not sensitive to androgens. Androgens are the masculinizing hormones that cause the embryo to produce male genitals and have a masculinized brain. There are different kinds of AIS, including complete, partial and mild. With complete AIS, the baby is born a female, with a feminized brain and a female genitals. Her vagina can be a bit short, and she doesn’t have a cervix or uterus. She can look like any other woman, including being striking enough to become a female model. She is a woman in almost every way except for a short bit of code on one of her chromosomes. A lot of women with AIS don’t find out they have AIS until their late teens, when they go to a gynecologist because their periods haven’t started. AIS is an intersex condition.