“I’m Jealous”: Woman With Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome Shares 9 Facts About Her Body

Each person is unique in their own way. Apart from our fingerprints, what sets us apart from each other is our experiences, beliefs, and the overall way we interact with the world around us. 

However, some people are exceptional cases, like those with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS). It’s a rare genetic condition where an individual has the same XY chromosomes as males, but their bodies develop as females due to the inability to respond to androgens. 

It may sound like a handful, but here’s Jackie Blankenship explaining her condition as she went on a nine-mile run. In just three and a half minutes, she was able to educate the internet with a TikTok post, which you will find below. 

This is Jackie Blankenship, a woman living with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome

Intersex woman with XY chromosome smiling outdoors by greenery, wearing black dress and holding checkered purse.

Image credits: mrsjackieblanks

In a recent TikTok post, Jackie shared nine facts about her rare condition

Text explaining complete androgen insensitivity syndrome and having XY chromosomes as an intersex woman with differences.

Text explaining that intersex woman with XY chromosome has female external genitalia and full breast development.

Intersex woman with XY chromosome explains unique body traits including external female features and blind vaginal pouch.

Text excerpt explaining how an intersex woman with XY chromosome and androgen insensitivity syndrome has a body different from others.

Intersex woman with XY chromosome wearing a white dress and holding a clutch, smiling in front of an art installation.

Image credits: mrsjackieblanks

Her video shed light on how unique and complex her life has been

Text stating a person with XY chromosome was born without ovaries, uterus, cervix, or fallopian tubes and has never had a period.

Text excerpt describing an intersex woman with XY chromosome explaining how her body differs due to lack of response to testosterone.

Text slide explaining infertility in intersex women with XY chromosome and complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS).

Text image showing Fact No. 8 about intersex woman with XY chromosome and height differences compared to family members.

Fact text explaining intersex experiences with surgeries, highlighting differences of intersex woman with XY chromosome.

Image credits: mrsjackieblanks

Watch the entire clip below

@mrsjackieblanks ran 9 miles and for every mile, I shared one fact about my intersex body. Because education shouldn’t come from trauma—but mine did. 💛 Save + share if you learned something new. 🎙 More truths on The Unedited Body—link in bio. #Intersex#IntersexAwareness#CAIS#BodilyAutonomy#MilesWithMeaning#MarathonMom#RunningIsHealing#TheUneditedBody#InformedConsent#MedicalTrauma#Storytime#UnfilteredTruth#LGBTQI♬ original sound – Jackie | Intersex Advocate

To say people with CAIS live complicated lives is a complete understatement

Based on her video, Jackie appears to have developed a healthier outlook on her condition, which is highly commendable. That’s because the condition can take a toll on those who have it, physically, mentally, and even psychologically. 

For one, they are typically recommended to undergo gonadectomy to remove their testes that, as Jackie explained in her post, remain in their abdomen. According to research, this procedure is done to decrease the risk of malignant tumor development. 

After this procedure, the individual will be recommended to undergo hormone replacement therapy—in Jackie’s case, with estrogen. This is done to maintain secondary sexual characteristics, optimize bone and cardiovascular health, and promote overall well-being. 

And while it may vary from one case to another, the individual may require psychological help as they grow older, particularly when they enter puberty and experience physical changes. It is a crucial time in their lives when they may need emotional support from a professional who can help them navigate life. 

Image credits: mediaphotos (not the actual image)

“Nothing is wrong with me, I’m just a little different”

For many years, Jackie went through her fair share of challenges. In a 2017 blog for West Michigan Woman, she described her mid-teens as a “very confusing time.” It was when she had her gonadectomy and “was forced” to take medication to make up for her lack of estrogen. 

“I lied for years, to everyone around me. I lied so much, I started to believe my own lies,” she wrote. “‘I had a hysterectomy,’ I told most. I let fear of people finding out that I was different keep me quiet.”

According to Jackie, the struggles of her condition hit her the hardest when she got married and wanted to bear a child, which her condition hindered her from doing. Fortunately, her sister volunteered to carry their child through in vitro fertilization using her husband’s semen, which turned out to be a success. 

Jackie says being able to share her story significantly helped her cope. It made her realize that nothing is inherently wrong with her, and she has since helped other West Michigan mothers with intersex daughters. 

“I tell them there’s nothing to be afraid of. Nothing is wrong with your children. They’re just a little different,” she stated. 

Image credits: freepik (not the actual image)

People had rather interesting comments on her post, as many expressed “jealousy”

Comment from social media user expressing jealousy about not having periods, related to intersex woman with XY chromosome.

Comment from a user named Alex stating intersex has nothing to do with LGBT, discussing intersex woman with XY chromosome.

Screenshot of a social media comment expressing strong envy with 33.3K likes and user profile icon.

Comment by user ifinkucreepy questioning absence of body odor, body hair, and periods, relating to intersex woman with XY chromosome.

Comment by user Justashleydawn expressing enthusiasm with text Honestly this sounds amazing, related to intersex woman with XY chromosome.

Comment from intersex woman with XY chromosome reflecting on personal difference and evolution shared on social media post.

Comment discussing learning about intersex people, helping understand trans experiences and social norms impact.

Comment reading you're not broken, you're limited edition with 5,477 likes, relating to intersex woman with XY chromosome experiences shared.

Commenter Xennial sharing a perspective on gender and sports, expressing confusion over arguments against females in male sports.

Comment on social media expressing gratitude for educating on gender beyond high school biology, highlighting intersex woman with XY chromosome.

Comment from Kristi K discussing intersex statistics and thanking a creator for educating TikTokers about intersex bodies.

Social media comment saying I am so So SO Jealous with 663 likes, related to intersex woman with XY chromosome discussion.

Comment by Wama saying Biology is so cool, with 2,065 likes, highlighting intersex woman with XY chromosome discussion.

Comment on social media expressing jealousy about no body hair while acknowledging other difficulties of being an intersex woman with XY chromosome.

Social media comment discussing concerns about intersex bodies and elective gender-affirming surgeries for minors.

Comment discussing intersex woman with XY chromosome experiencing differences in body hair, odor, and periods.

Comment about speaking to congress, posted by user ShayBay, discussing education on intersex woman with XY chromosome differences.

Comment highlighting views on intersex individuals and how religion perceives the creation of intersex people.

Comment by user Loni_Alex emphasizing self-acceptance with a supportive message about not being broken or flawed.

Comment from user SkyBear89 appreciating openness and generosity in sharing experiences of an intersex woman with XY chromosome differences.

Social media comment by user Abbs with emoji, expressing admiration and calling someone an elite woman.

Comment on social media post reading Biology is fascinating, expressing gratitude for sharing, related to intersex woman with XY chromosome.

Instagram comment by user becci discussing genital surgery for intersex babies, highlighting intersex issues and bodily autonomy.

Comment by user Anna Riot Face discussing society's perception, with 11.4K likes, related to intersex woman with XY chromosome.

Comment on genetics discussing intersex woman with XY chromosome explaining how her body differs from others.

Comment on social media supporting an intersex woman with XY chromosome discussing how her body is different from others’.

Comment from intersex woman with XY chromosome expressing mixed feelings about her condition and experiences with periods.

Comment about standing up for intersex and trans rights, mentioning red hair, blue eyes, and intersex people with XY chromosome.

Screenshot of a social media comment highlighting rapid learning about intersex differences and physical endurance achievements.

Comment from Beth Chapin discussing rhetoric around gender confirmation surgeries and intersexed youth, highlighting body differences.

Social media comment from an intersex woman with XY chromosome expressing feelings about being a super female.

Comment by Beth Chapin supporting intersex experiences, highlighting rhetoric around gender confirmation surgeries and intersex youth.

Comment by Chrissy praising someone's ability to talk and run simultaneously, related to intersex woman with XY chromosome.

Comment text on a social media post reading So basically you're winning at life with 5,629 likes, relating to an intersex woman with XY chromosome.

Comment from Beth thanking an intersex woman with XY chromosome for sharing her important story.

Comment from Sav at Mind-Body Mastery expressing fascination with intersex woman with XY chromosome sharing body differences.

Comment from an intersex woman with XY chromosome discussing unique body differences like no period and no body hair.

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