In Ally’s case, she was born with ovaries, which meant that she still went through puberty as expected, minus a period. Once she had a diagnosis, her doctor informed her of the next step – dilation and vaginal lengthening, or in other words – building her own vagina. It took her nine months to create her vagina, amidst going to school, hanging out with friends, and generally just being a teenager. She also hosts her own podcast, Stigma Shakers, where she chats evolving attitudes and beliefs around subjects still considered ‘taboo,’ like grief, masturbation, and sex work. We are taught that sex is pleasure, sex is intimate, it brings people closer, and it brings more empowerment.