TY - JOUR
T1 - Pleasure please! Sexual pleasure and influencing factors in transgender persons
T2 - An ENIGI follow-up study
AU - Gieles, Noor C.
AU - van de Grift, Tim C.
AU - Elaut, Els
AU - Heylens, Gunter
AU - Becker-Hebly, Inga
AU - Nieder, Timo O.
AU - Laan, Ellen T. M.
AU - Kreukels, Baudewijntje P. C.
N1 - Funding Information: We are grateful to Saisha Partiman and Julia Nieuwersteeg for their help with the data collection. We would like to thank Silke Stor for initiating the first analyses of this data. We would like to thank Drs. M.A. Werner for her support in the initial analysis of the ASPI data. The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Background: While the importance of sexual pleasure for physical and mental health becomes increasingly evident, research on sexual pleasure in transgender persons is lacking. Recently, the first version of the Amsterdam Sexual Pleasure Index (ASPI Vol. 0.1) was validated in cisgender persons. This questionnaire aims to assess the tendency to experience sexual pleasure independent of gender, sexual orientation or anatomy. Aim: The aims of this study were threefold. First, to perform exploratory scale validation analyses of the ASPI in transgender persons. Secondly, to compare transgender sexual pleasure scores to reference data in cisgender persons. Finally, to identify factors that are associated with sexual pleasure. Methods: In a follow-up study conducted within the European Network for the Investigation of Gender Incongruence (ENIGI), online questionnaires were distributed to persons who had a first clinical contact at gender clinics in Amsterdam, Ghent or Hamburg four to six years earlier. Internal consistency of the ASPI was assessed by calculating McDonald’s omega (ωt). ASPI scores were compared to scores from the cisgender population using a one sample t-test, and linear regressions were conducted to study associations with clinical characteristics, psychological wellbeing, body satisfaction and self-reported happiness. Results: In total, 325 persons filled out the ASPI. The ASPI showed excellent internal consistency (ωt, all: 0.97; transfeminine: 0.97, transmasculine: 0.97). Compared to data from cisgender persons, transgender participants had significantly lower total ASPI scores (i.e., lower sexual pleasure; transgender vs. cisgender, mean(SD): 4.13(0.94) vs. 4.71(0.61)). Lower age, current happiness and genital body satisfaction were associated with a higher tendency to experience sexual pleasure. Conclusion & discussion: The ASPI can be used to assess the tendency to experience sexual pleasure and associated factors in transgender persons. Future studies are needed to understand interplaying biopsychosocial factors that promote sexual pleasure and hence transgender sexual health and wellbeing.
AB - Background: While the importance of sexual pleasure for physical and mental health becomes increasingly evident, research on sexual pleasure in transgender persons is lacking. Recently, the first version of the Amsterdam Sexual Pleasure Index (ASPI Vol. 0.1) was validated in cisgender persons. This questionnaire aims to assess the tendency to experience sexual pleasure independent of gender, sexual orientation or anatomy. Aim: The aims of this study were threefold. First, to perform exploratory scale validation analyses of the ASPI in transgender persons. Secondly, to compare transgender sexual pleasure scores to reference data in cisgender persons. Finally, to identify factors that are associated with sexual pleasure. Methods: In a follow-up study conducted within the European Network for the Investigation of Gender Incongruence (ENIGI), online questionnaires were distributed to persons who had a first clinical contact at gender clinics in Amsterdam, Ghent or Hamburg four to six years earlier. Internal consistency of the ASPI was assessed by calculating McDonald’s omega (ωt). ASPI scores were compared to scores from the cisgender population using a one sample t-test, and linear regressions were conducted to study associations with clinical characteristics, psychological wellbeing, body satisfaction and self-reported happiness. Results: In total, 325 persons filled out the ASPI. The ASPI showed excellent internal consistency (ωt, all: 0.97; transfeminine: 0.97, transmasculine: 0.97). Compared to data from cisgender persons, transgender participants had significantly lower total ASPI scores (i.e., lower sexual pleasure; transgender vs. cisgender, mean(SD): 4.13(0.94) vs. 4.71(0.61)). Lower age, current happiness and genital body satisfaction were associated with a higher tendency to experience sexual pleasure. Conclusion & discussion: The ASPI can be used to assess the tendency to experience sexual pleasure and associated factors in transgender persons. Future studies are needed to understand interplaying biopsychosocial factors that promote sexual pleasure and hence transgender sexual health and wellbeing.
KW - Gender incongruence
KW - gender dysphoria
KW - gender-affirming therapy
KW - sexual health
KW - sexual pleasure
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85124228354&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2022.2028693
DO - https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2022.2028693
M3 - Article
C2 - 37114112
SN - 2689-5269
VL - 24
SP - 212
EP - 224
JO - International Journal of Transgender Health
JF - International Journal of Transgender Health
IS - 2
ER -