There are several features to these individuals who cannot form DHT, for example:

 • Their phallus resembles a large clitoris

 • The genital folds resembles labia

 • No vaginal opening

 • Breasts are developed at puberty

 • Facial hair is also possible at puberty

 • Semen production is impacted so paternity is only possible with medical assistance


Rutgers University

There are individuals with a rare genetic mutation that causes 5α-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT, to be disabled. An XY individual with this condition will have testes and other internal male structures, but the external genitalia will not fully masculinize. Affected individuals are typically raised female until puberty when androgen production increase and the external genitalia is more masculinized. 

Changing Sex at Puberty

Breedlove, S. & Watson, N. (2017). Behavioral neuroscience, eighth edition. Oxford University Press.

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