17-AH Deficiency

The 17-AH flag.

The alternate 17-AH flag.

17-AH Deficiency or 17-Alpha-Hydroxylase Deficiency (17α-OHD) is an intersex variation in which the adrenal glands (the glands that regulate the production of certain hormones) do not properly function. Because of this, the reproductive system does not grow very strongly. This variation is estimated to affect one in a million individuals at birth.

Those with XX chromosomes (CTF) have abnormally small ovaries and an abnormally small uterus. Because of this, they do not develop many secondary sex traits (such as breasts, pubic hair, or menstruation cycles.) From this, they are unable to conceive a child and thus are infertile. They often fall under AFAB Hypogonadism. HRT may be used to regulate menstruation in CTF individuals.

Those with XY chromosomes (CTM) usually have ambiguous genitals or a vagina and thus are often mistaken as müllerian. Those that do have a penis often have a micropenis, cryptorchidism, and/or hypospadias. They are also infertile and often fall under AMAB Hypogonadism.

Most with this variation experience high blood pressure and hypokalemia.

Causes

This variation is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, which means both parents have a copy of the gene mutation that causes this, and both of their genes combined are what affected the child when being conceived.

Flag

Anderson from Cryptocrew's system created the flag on April 25th, 2021. Blue represents wolffian-like traits, pink represents müllerian-like traits, purple represents ambiguous traits, yellow represents diversity, white represents community, and black represents abnormalities in size. The black design is supposed to resemble the uterus/ovaries and/or the wolffian reproductive system/testicles.

Anderson coined the alternate flag on the same day with the same meanings.

References

• https://web.archive.org/web/20230508075006/https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/17-alpha-hydroxylase-17-20-lyase-deficiency/