Correct. Her system produced an inordinately high amount of free-floating adrenal androgens. The adrenal receptors in the brain were recognizing them as testosterone and programmed her body to masculinize during puberty.
It would be a mistake to presume that this endocrine impact did not also effect brain development. Dr. Nirao Shah is an expert in brain differentiation between men and women and writes extensively on how the sex hormones during puberty not only direct the body’s development, but also that of the brain (creating distinct neural patterns for male and female brains).
Like others with NCCAH, she experience premature menarche at age 9. This did not surprise me, as my mother and sister both started their periods around the same time. I was the outlier at 13.
Initially I did not recognize some of the signs in my daughter because I, myself, posses them and find them normal. I was more interested in building dollhouses than playing with them. I enjoyed science and engineering, games of strategy such as chess, and was not interested in the frivolous things the girls around me found so absorbing. At work, I deal primarily in risk management and I train managers in the law (I’m the Rainman of Texas property code).
My daughter, even at an early age, had an encyclopedic command of animal facts (including the scientific terms for them), preferred playing with the boys over the girls, had zero interest in dolls, enjoyed building things, etc.
We are not tomboys, per say, just different. In my appearance, at least, I am very much a feminine woman; however, the way my mind thinks tends to be more masculine (facts, logic, reason, solution-oriented). It has certainly made for a peaceful life for my husband.
I will never forget the year she wanted to go to Medieval Times for her birthday. It was right around Halloween and I asked if she wanted us to buy princess costumes to wear when we went. She chose a dragon costume instead. She looked adorable, but definitely stood out from the other little girls wearing floral wreaths, crowns, and flowy dresses.
I’m still holding out hope that the dysphoria will dissipate and she will return to being a woman. Whether it does or doesn’t, I still love her. Underneath the shell is the same brilliant, kind, honorable, hardworking soul I have known all my life.
You are correct that most of these clinics are not even trying to see if there is an underlying medical condition. There is a lot more money in hormones and surgery than in fixing what’s wrong (presuming it can be fixed). There is no legitimate reason to transition children.
I can only imagine, by logic and reason, what you folks have been going through with your daughter. But without knowing that, logic and reason always informed that that much sympathy and compassion is due the child experiencing gender dysphoria, no matter how we feel about what we think the “best outcomes” for it oaught to be. My prayers to you, your daughter and your family.