ERMA FRO-DITISMO. — Coexistence in the same subject of male and female sex glands; normal in some invertebrates. Young classifies the anomaly, which is possible in the human species, as true lateral e. (an ovary on one side and a testis on the other), true unilateral e. (an ovary and a testis on one side and one of the two on the other), and true bilateral e. (an ovary and a testis on both sides).
Extremely rare in man, only 38 certain cases have been recorded and described in the world literature, often with familial occurrence; more frequent is apparent e., with sex glands of only one type combined with abnormal development of the external characteristics of sex, which thus become more or less similar to those of the opposite sex (pseudo-e.).
The testes of true hermaphrodites generally remain in the abdomen or in the inguinal canal, and spermatogenesis, as in cryptorchidism, is inhibited. The ovary, too, shows clear signs of degeneration or immaturity. The secondary sexual characteristics are likewise affected by the abnormality, so that in the same individual some somatic traits may be of the masculine type and others feminine, generally such as to recall the characteristics of hypogenital persons and eunuchoids. Psychically, the onset of depressive syndromes is frequent; hermaphrodites are melancholic because of an intimate sense of inferiority, emotional and labile in all their manifestations. Libido is generally absent; at times they are driven toward homosexuality.
Carlo Pelosio
From the moral-legal standpoint, e. must be considered in relation to the validity of receiving the sacraments of Orders and Matrimony. With regard to the former, since there is doubt about the sex, there is also incapacity to receive and exercise Orders; ordination and the exercise of priestly acts must be positively prevented in view of the serious harm to which their invalidity would expose the common good and the rights of third parties; on the other hand, the individual has no particular right to receive Holy Orders (v. IRRECOLARITÀ).
With regard to marriage, if the hermaphrodite is impotent, he cannot contract marriage; however, marriage impotence (v.) is doubtful (CIC, can. 1068 § 2), and the sex is determinable.