Sexual experiences of clinically referred adolescents with features of gender dysphoria

Abstract

Gender dysphoria in adolescence could be expected to be associated with delayed sexual development because of the distress related to the sexual characteristics of the body. However, identity challenges may also increase early and risk-taking sexual behaviours among adolescents with gender dysphoria. We studied sexual experiences among 101 adolescents, attending an adolescent gender identity service, desiring gender reassignment. Their experiences were compared to the sexual experiences of the same-aged population, evaluated in a large adolescent survey. A majority of adolescents with gender dysphoria had been in love or had a crush on somebody. Birth assigned females had experiences of romantic relationships twice as commonly as birth assigned males. Otherwise, there was no statistically significant difference in the adolescents' sexual experiences. About half of the subjects had experiences of kissing, and about 40% had intimate (genital) sexual experiences with a partner. Compared to the general adolescent population, adolescents with gender dysphoria were less experienced. Autism spectrum disorder was associated with more delayed sexual development.

Keywords: Gender dysphoria; adolescents; autism; referred samples; sexual development.