Intimate Partnerships and Sexual Health in Gender-Dysphoric Individuals Before the Start of Medical Treatment

ABSTRACT

Objectives: This study focuses on sexual health aspects in partnered gender-dysphoric individuals at the start of medical treatment by examining their partnership constellations, sexual experiences, and reports of psychological problems. Methods: As part of the cross-national European Network for the Investigation of Gender Incongruence Study, 168 adult male-to-females (MFs) and female-to-males (FMs; MF:FM sex ratio = 1:1.2) were surveyed by means of self-administered questionnaires prior to any gender-confirming hormonal and surgical interventions. Results: MFs were often found to have androphilic (female) partners (sexually oriented toward males), noncomplementary with their female gender identity. In contrast, FMs frequently had androphilic (female) partners, complementary with their male gender identity and sexual orientations toward females. Conclusions: In both genders, complementary partnership constellations were associated with more avoidance of sexual experiences and more negative sexual experiences.

KEYWORDS:

• Gender dysphoria
• gender identity disorder
• transsexualism
• intimate partnerships
• sexual health