While we can't predict what advances will happen in medicine in future years. There are alot of follow-up survey's on CAH surgery in Australia. If you shop around surgeons in Australia you will find some have techniques that won't alter sexual function. They also have hundreds of these surgeries behind them with positive results.
I think it is dangerous to suggest that parents who approve surgery on their children are taking ownership of their child's body. I certainly don't feel I own my daughter's body however as her mother I have guardianship over her body and life and I have an obligation to get her to adulthood the best way I know how, no matter what choices I decide. That is what my motivation is, not some sort of power or ownership notion.
I completely understand and respect there are legitimate reasons for choosing infant surgery or waiting till adolescence. I'm just not sure Dr's would make a statement that clitoral reduction is never medically necessary. Medicine has moved forward to acknowledge that medical treatment covers not just the physical but also the psycological and social aspects of a person.
There are definately two different views these days on CAH surgery and I think it is important to state that whatever decision parents make, they are making the decision they feel is best for their daughter at the time. What more can anyone ask of a parent.
Linda
