In a medical case that has baffled doctors, a 66-year-old Vietnamese man was revealed to be a woman after a surprising diagnosis. The revelation came after the man visited a doctor in Hong Kong and was found to have a large ovarian cyst in his swollen abdomen.
Further investigations revealed that the man was suffering from two rare genetic conditions: Turner syndrome and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Turner syndrome is characterized by stunted growth and reproductive sterility in females, while congenital adrenal hyperplasia causes abnormally high levels of male hormones, leading to masculine features in women.
Despite the diagnosis, the patient, who stands at a height of 1.37 meters, continues to identify as a man. He is considering testosterone replacement therapy to maintain his masculine appearance.
The combination of both syndromes in a single individual is extremely rare, with only six documented cases worldwide. Turner syndrome affects approximately one in 2,500 to 3,000 females, and is caused by the absence or partial absence of one X chromosome.
This case highlights the complexity of gender identity and the importance of comprehensive medical evaluations, even when initial assessments seem straightforward.
