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Abstract
Objective
Sexual wellbeing is an important aspect of quality-of-life. In transgender individuals who seek gender affirming treatment, various aspects of sexuality have been assessed. However, not much is known on how transgender individuals themselves perceive sexual wellbeing. This study aims to explore the perception of sexual wellbeing in transgender-individuals (an emic-perspective).
Methods
To explore sexual wellbeing from an emic perspective, qualitative interviews with transgender individuals were conducted, recorded and transcribed verbatim. Inductive coding and thematic analysis were used to assess topics and themes pertaining to sexual wellbeing.
Results
Based on interviews wih15 participants (19–74 years) with diverse self-identified genders, four main themes, relating to sexual wellbeing were derived: (1) given description of sexual wellbeing, (2) conditions for sexual wellbeing, (3) factors affecting sexual wellbeing, and (4) experienced sexual wellbeing.
Conclusion
Positive experiences, feeling comfortable with body/self, intimacy, acceptation and communication with partner appeared helpful to overcome hurdles and experience sexual wellbeing.
Ethics statement
This study was ethically approved by The Medical Ethics Committee of the Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc (number 2019.205).
Informed consent
All patients provided explicit written informed consent for use of the recorded and transcribed interviews.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).