Laura,

   I understand how you feel. It seems to me that a distinction needs to be made. Parents have related that their child has an enlarged clitoris. They never mention anything about their child voiding out of it. If their child peed out of the enlarged clitoris, they might have different feelings about the surgery.

   I like to call what I had a wanna-be penis. I can remember voiding out of it. My Mom cringes when I say this. The look of horror makes me laugh. Then she smiles because she knows I'm comfortable talking about this. Sometimes I do get frustrated and want out of having CAH.

   My parents are the most wonderful people in the world. They have always been open with me about CAH. There was no shame. My Dad compared the CAH surgery to surgery for a cleft plate . The only thing is that the doctors were more experienced at fixing a cleft plate. I am angry at having a clitorectomy done but doctors and my parents wanted to give me the best at the time. Unfortunately, removing my clitoris and leaving me with a hole and scars was it. In 1975, nerves and sexual sensation weren't even a consideration but today it is.

   Having an enlarged clitoris is a bit different than having one that you pee out of. It is my view that each girl with CAH has a specific case. Some of us need surgery,  others can wait and some of us don't need surgery at all.

With Respect,

 Aimee