Picture of Salmacis and Hermaphroditus Struggling about 100 BC Hermaphroditus was the child of Aphrodite and Hermes. Born a remarkably handsome boy. The nymph Salmacis found him bathing in her spring. As she forcibly embraced him, he struggled to get away. Salmacis prayed the never be apart. The gods granted her wish and combined the two into one body. His name is the basis for the word hermaphrodite.

Picture of Hermaphrodite Statue Roman copy of Greek statue about 2nd BC

Artists through the centuries have tried to express the image of someone sharing characteristics of both men and women. There is often a blending a female like body with male genitalia or other male features.

 

Picture of Hermaphrodite Statue Mesopotamia, 1st century BC

Right Picture of Hermaphrodites Hellenistic. From Rhodes, 3rd century BC

Breasts and a female body fat seem to be a common feature.

 

This is a genetic XX female with untreated Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia who has lived his life as a male. Since he was in his mother's womb, his body and brain have been exposed to high levels of both male and female hormones from his defective Adrenal gland. He relates that he was "diagnosed" at birth as a Hermaphrodite with ambiguous genitalia. He says there was no uterus and his only ovary was removed surgically. The clitoris is large. His breasts have kept growing (that is why he fist came to Dr. Bermant for a Revision Gynecomastia Surgery for Recurrence after breast reduction by another surgeon. Secondary sexual characteristics are mixed male and female. He has male pattern hair for his face, head, chest, and groin. Body fat distribution is female for the hips thighs, and breast. The muscle pattern is male. His voice pitch is high for a male and low for a female. To learn more about this patient, start here.