Phall-O-Meter
Phall-O-Meter
The Phall-O-Meter is a tool used in the medical field to assess the genitalia of newborns and determine whether they fall within the typical range for male or female infants. It is primarily used in cases of intersex births, where the external genitalia may not clearly indicate a specific sex. The Phall-O-Meter helps healthcare professionals decide whether surgical intervention is necessary to assign a sex to the newborn.
History[edit | edit source]
The Phall-O-Meter was developed as part of the broader movement to address the medical and ethical challenges associated with intersex conditions. It emerged from the need to standardize the assessment of ambiguous genitalia and to provide a more objective measure for medical decision-making.
Design and Function[edit | edit source]
The Phall-O-Meter is typically a ruler-like device that measures the length of the phallus (penis or clitoris) in newborns. The measurements are compared against established norms for male and female genitalia. The tool includes a scale that indicates whether the phallus is within the typical range for males, females, or if it falls into an ambiguous category.
Controversy[edit | edit source]
The use of the Phall-O-Meter has been controversial. Critics argue that it reinforces binary notions of sex and can lead to unnecessary and potentially harmful surgical interventions. Intersex advocacy groups have called for a more nuanced approach to intersex conditions, emphasizing the importance of bodily autonomy and the right to make informed decisions about one's own body.
Ethical Considerations[edit | edit source]
The ethical implications of using the Phall-O-Meter are significant. Medical professionals must balance the need for clear diagnostic criteria with the rights of intersex individuals to avoid unnecessary medical procedures. The debate continues over the best practices for managing intersex births and the role of tools like the Phall-O-Meter in these decisions.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
