The treatments include taking hormone shots and pills as supplements for the naturally lacking hormone. Most of the hormones are estrogen and estrogen-related ones, and are typically given starting in the early teen years. A true hermaphrodite is an individual who possesses both ovary and testis. The individual must have seminiferous tubules and spermatozoa - not simply Leydig cells. The individual must have verified ovarian follicles, or proof of prior existence.
True hermaphrodites have both testicular and ovarian tissues in their gonads.
The distribution of these tissues can be lateral, bilateral, or unilateral. Bilateral distribution is diagnosed when both testicular and ovarian tissues occur on each side of the uterus. A uterus is almost always present and the differentiation of genital ducts on either side depends on the gonadal tissue distribution. In lateral distribution, the vas deferens is on the testicular side while the fallopian tubes are on the other side. In bilateral and unilateral distribution, the two tissues occur on the same side.