Müllerian is an alternative to the term "biological female" and refers to the phenotypic sex traits of an individual who has ovaries and was not exposed primarily to testosterone in the womb.
Müllerian traits include:
- A vulva and vagina (PWHV).
- An uterus and ovaries.
- The capacity for ovogenesis (macrogametic)/the ability to give birth (PWIB), unless if sterile.
- Has estrogen as one's natural primary sex hormone.
- Generally has breasts as a secondary sexual characteristic.
Müllerian is not synonymous with AFAB, as some individuals who were AFAB are intersex, and do not have all of the traits listed. Müllerian can be described as "dyadic female".
The counterpart is wolffian.
Usage
This term should be used in a medical manner, in the same way one would use the term "biological female". It is best not to use this term in a non-medical way unless it is for self-identification. For example, one should not call a transgender man "müllerian" without consentment, as this reduces people to their sex, disregarding their gender.
One should not point out an individual as müllerian unless the individual has agreed to have the term used on them. The same goes for the phrase "biological female." Only in medical situations should it matter what someone's birth sex was; otherwise, it is completely up to the individual whether or not they wish to share or use this term.
History
The term was originally suggested by a transgender woman in the early 2010s and popularized by tumblr users mogai-ringo and arco-pluris in 2018.[1] Its original definition referred to someone whose fetal development favored the Müllerian ducts, which leads to the creation of the vagina.[2]
Flag and symbol
The flag was created by Tumblr user mourningmogaicrew on August 31st, 2021. The symbol was created on the same day and was based off the woman/female symbol.[3]