Intersex medical interventions

Intersex medical interventions (IMI), sometimes known as intersex genital mutilations (IGM), are surgical, hormonal and other medical interventions performed to modify atypical or ambiguous genitalia and other sex characteristics. These interventions are performed primarily to create a more typical bodily appearance or to reduce furture problems such as risk of cancer. The history of intersex surgery has been marked by debate because some reports have associated certain procedures to changes in sensation, sexual function, and long term health concerns. Additionally, non-consensual surgery or stigmas surrounding intersex individuals may lead to feelings of dysphoria and negative mental health outcomes.

Interventions on intersex infants and children are increasingly recognized as human rights issues. Intersex organizations, and human rights institutions increasingly question the basis and necessity of such interventions. In 2011, Christiane Völling won the first successful case brought against a surgeon for non-consensual surgical intervention. In 2015, the Council of Europe recognized, for the first time, a right for intersex persons not to undergo sex-assignment treatment and Malta became the first country to prohibit involuntary or coerced modifications to sex characteristics.