Man in China who thought he had urinary problem told he is actually intersex and been menstruating for the last 20 years
- A man in China has been shocked to learn he is intersex after seeking help for a recurring urinary problem
- The issue had been recurring since he was a teenager when he had surgery to correct irregular urination
After 33 years of identifying as a man, Chen Li, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, was told he is biologically female after having a chromosome analysis test.
Chen, who comes from a small town in southwest China’s Sichuan province, had surgery to correct irregular urination during puberty. Since then, for more than 20 years, he had experienced recurrent blood in his urine.
When Chen experienced abdominal discomfort that lasted for more than four hours, a doctor diagnosed him with appendicitis. However, even after treatment, the symptoms continued.
It was only after a medical check-up last year that the true cause of his condition was revealed. Chen had female sex chromosomes. His monthly experience of blood in his urine and abdominal discomfort were actually caused by menstruation.
Chen was shocked by the news and went to a Guangzhou hospital that treats genitalia issues.