Transgender Transitioning and Change of Self-Reported Sexual Orientation

Abstract

ObjectiveSexual orientation is usually considered to be determined in early life and stable in the course of adulthood. In contrast, some transgender individuals report a change in sexual orientation. A common reason for this phenomenon is not known.MethodsWe included 115 transsexual persons (70 male-to-female “MtF” and 45 female-to-male “FtM”) patients from our endocrine outpatient clinic, who completed a questionnaire, retrospectively evaluating the history of their gender transition phase. The questionnaire focused on sexual orientation and recalled time points of changes in sexual orientation in the context of transition. Participants were further asked to provide a personal concept for a potential change in sexual orientation.ResultsIn total, 32.9% (n = 23) MtF reported a change in sexual orientation in contrast to 22.2% (n = 10) FtM transsexual persons (p = 0.132). Out of these patients, 39.1% (MtF) and 60% (FtM) reported a change in sexual orientation before having undergone any sex reassignment surgery. FtM that had initially been sexually oriented towards males ( = androphilic), were significantly more likely to report on a change in sexual orientation than gynephilic, analloerotic or bisexual FtM (p = 0.012). Similarly, gynephilic MtF reported a change in sexual orientation more frequently than androphilic, analloerotic or bisexual MtF transsexual persons (p = 0.05).ConclusionIn line with earlier reports, we reveal that a change in self-reported sexual orientation is frequent and does not solely occur in the context of particular transition events. Transsexual persons that are attracted by individuals of the opposite biological sex are more likely to change sexual orientation. Qualitative reports suggest that the individual's biography, autogynephilic and autoandrophilic sexual arousal, confusion before and after transitioning, social and self-acceptance, as well as concept of sexual orientation itself may explain this phenomenon.

Impact of Sexual Orientation Identity on Medical Morbidities in Male-to-Female Transgender Patients

“…29,30 Some transgender individuals change sexual orientation at the time of their physical transformation. 31 Transgender individuals also have a wide range of sexual attraction ranging from men only, women only, both men and women, neither, all genders (i.e., pansexual), or specifically other transgender men and women. 32,33 Classifying patients into only three categories, as done in our analysis, and during one period of time can be problematic.…”

Adult development and quality of life of transgender and gender nonconforming people

“…Sexual orientation may affect transgender identity development and vice versa (58). For example, transgender men attracted to women may identify as lesbian before coming out as transgender, while other transgender men or women may not explore their attractions toward men until after transition (59, 24, 60, 61). Vulnerabilities and sexual health needs may differ by sexual orientation (62, 63).…”

Self-Reported Changes in Attractions and Social Determinants of Mental Health in Transgender Adults

“…However, only two studies have compared trans feminine individuals with trans masculine individuals in the same study. A U.S. community-based study found greater sexual fluidity among trans masculine individuals compared to trans feminine individuals (Katz-Wise, 2015a), and a German study using a clinical sample of transgender individuals found no significant difference in prevalence of sexual fluidity between trans feminine and trans masculine individuals (Auer et al, 2014). …”

“…Research on sexual fluidity in cisgender individuals has indicated that changes occur more frequently among sexual minority individuals compared to heterosexual individuals (Ott, Corliss, Wypij, Rosario, & Austin, 2011; Savin-Williams, Joyner, & Rieger, 2012), and some studies have found that sexual minority women and men are equally likely to report experiencing sexual fluidity (Katz-Wise, 2014; Kinnish, Strassberg, & Turner, 2005; Ott et al, 2011). Sexual fluidity has been documented among both trans feminine (male-to-female; MTF) individuals and trans masculine (female-to-male; FTM) individuals (Auer, Fuss, Höhne, Stalla, & Sievers, 2014; Coleman, Bockting, & Gooren, 1993; Daskalos, 1998; Katz-Wise, 2015a; Meier, Pardo, Labuski, & Babcock, 2013). However, only two studies have compared trans feminine individuals with trans masculine individuals in the same study.…”