Self-reported Sexual Identity Research Articles

A Comparison of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Related Factors Between Lesbian and Heterosexual Women

Objectives Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive endocrine disorder associated with infertility, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Despite anecdotal evidence that lesbians may have higher PCOS rates than heterosexuals, little empirically based evidence supports this theory. To address this gap, we examined PCOS prevalence and associated factors among a community sample of lesbian and heterosexual women. Methods Lesbian ( n = 114) and heterosexual ( n = 97) women aged 35 to 45 who participated in The Epidemiologic STudy of HEalth Risk (ESTHER) Project (Pittsburgh, PA) were recruited into our PCOS exploratory study between April and October 2008. A reproductive endocrinologist, “blinded” to participant sexual orientation, identified women with PCOS using a modified version of the 2003 Rotterdam Diagnostic Criteria for PCOS. Sexual orientation was defined by self-reported sexual identity, behavior, and attraction. Fisher’s exact, chi-square, and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used for analysis. Results Approximately 6.2% ( n = 13) of the total sample ( n = 211) had PCOS. PCOS rates did not significantly differ between lesbian and heterosexual women ([7.9%, n = 9] vs. [4.1%, n = 4]; p = .256). No significant differences in PCOS-related factors were found between lesbian and heterosexual women: polycystic ovaries ([10.5%, n = 12] vs. [6.2%, n = 6]; p = 0.261), hirsutism ([24.6%, n = 28] vs. [15.5%, n = 15]; p = 0.102), oligomenorrhea ([3.6%, n = 4] vs. [5.4%, n = 5]; p = 0.735), adult acne ([21.1%, n = 24] vs. [24.7%, n = 24], p = 0.524), and median testosterone ([1.69 ng/mL, n = 114] vs. [1.52 ng/mL, n = 97]; p = 0.069) and androstenedione ([1.63 ng/mL, n = 114] vs. [1.51 ng/mL, n = 97]; p = 0.079) concentrations, respectively. Conclusion PCOS and related factors did not differ by sexual orientation. Despite this, our observed rates warrant the need for additional studies to examine the relationship between PCOS diagnoses, PCOS-related factors, and sexual orientation.

Self-Reported Sexual Orientation and Identity Before and After Sexual Reorientation Therapy

Researchers disagree on whether sexual reorientation (i.e., conversion or reparative) therapy (SRT) can change sexual orientation. Much of the recent research relies on participants from a particular religious denomination or from SRT organizations. This study recruited participants from SRT organizations and from gay-affirming ones. In this cross-sectional study, 37 former SRT participants reported no statistically significant differences in sexual orientation and sexual identity from before SRT participation to the time of their participation in this study. Practitioners with clients struggling with their sexual orientation or identity must be informed of SRT alternatives, including person-centered and gay-affirmative approaches.

Stability and Change in Self-Reported Sexual Orientation Identity in Young People: Application of Mobility Metrics

This study investigated stability and change in self-reported sexual orientation identity over time in youth. We describe gender- and age-related changes in sexual orientation identity from early adolescence through emerging adulthood in 13,840 youth ages 12-25 employing mobility measure M, a measure we modified from its original application for econometrics. Using prospective data from a large, ongoing cohort of U.S. adolescents, we examined mobility in sexual orientation identity in youth with up to four waves of data. Ten percent of males and 20% of females at some point described themselves as a sexual minority, while 2% of both males and females reported ever being "unsure" of their orientation. Two novel findings emerged regarding gender and mobility: (1) Although mobility scores were quite low for the full cohort, females reported significantly higher mobility than did males. (2) As expected, for sexual minorities, mobility scores were appreciably higher than for the full cohort; however, the gender difference appeared to be eliminated, indicating that changing reported sexual orientation identity throughout adolescence occurred at a similar rate in female and male sexual minorities. In addition, we found that, of those who described themselves as "unsure" of their orientation identity at any point, 66% identified as completely heterosexual at other reports and never went on to describe themselves as a sexual minority. Age was positively associated with endorsing a sexual-minority orientation identity. We discuss substantive and methodological implications of our findings for understanding development of sexual orientation identity in young people.

Hypothalamus, sexual arousal and psychosexual identity in human males: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study

In a recent functional magnetic resonance imaging study, a complex neural circuit was shown to be involved in human males during sexual arousal [A. Ferretti et al. (2005) Neuroimage, 26, 1086]. At group level, there was a specific correlation between penile erection and activations in anterior cingulate, insula, amygdala, hypothalamus and secondary somatosensory regions. However, it is well known that there are remarkable inter-individual differences in the psychological view and attitude to sex of human males. Therefore, a crucial issue is the relationship among cerebral responses, sexual arousal and psychosexual identity at individual level. To address this issue, 18 healthy male subjects were recruited. Their deep sexual identity (DSI) was assessed following the construct revalidation by M. Olivetti Belardinelli [(1994) Sci. Contrib. Gen. Psychol., 11, 131] of the Franck drawing completion test, a projective test providing, according to this revalidation, quantitative scores on 'accordance/non-accordance' between self-reported and psychological sexual identity. Cerebral activity was evaluated by means of functional magnetic resonance imaging during hard-core erotic movies and sport movies. Results showed a statistically significant positive correlation between the blood oxygen level-dependent signal in bilateral hypothalamus and the Franck drawing completion test score during erotic movies. The higher the blood oxygen level-dependent activation in bilateral hypothalamus, the higher the male DSI profile. These results suggest that, in male subjects, inter-individual differences in the DSI are strongly correlated with blood flow to the bilateral hypothalamus, a dimorphic brain region deeply implicated in instinctual drives including reproduction.

HIV-1, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Sexual Behavior Trends Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Lima, Peru

To assess and estimate trends in HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and sexual behavior among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Lima, Peru. Second-generation HIV sentinel surveillance surveys conducted in 1996, 1998, 2000, and 2002. Adult men reporting sex with at least 1 man during the previous year were eligible to participate. Sexual behavior and serum HIV-1 and syphilis antibodies were assessed. HIV seroincidence was estimated by a sensitive/less-sensitive enzyme immunoassay strategy. Rectal and pharyngeal swabs for Neisseria gonorrhoeae culture and a first-void urine sample for urethral leukocytes for presumptive diagnosis of urethritis were obtained. Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) antibodies were measured in 2002. Although HIV prevalence increased from 18.5% to 22.3% from 1996 through 2002, bacterial prevalence declined significantly for syphilis (16.0% to 12.4%), early syphilis (8.6% to 3.4%), and rectal gonorrhea (5.1% to 0.2%). High HIV seroincidence was estimated, with the lowest (4.8%) incidence in 1998. In 2002, HSV-2 seroprevalence was 51.0%. After adjustment for age, education, and self-reported sexual identity, our data suggest that a yearly increase by 6% in the prevalence of HIV occurred among MSM in Lima, with a corresponding decline in syphilis (by 9%), early syphilis (by 18%), and rectal gonorrhea (by 64%). Condom use during last sexual intercourse increased by 26% each year with the most recent male steady partner and, among non-sex workers, by 11% with the most recent casual partner. HIV continued to spread among MSM in Lima even when a decline in bacterial STIs and increase in condom use were estimated to occur. Intensification of medical and behavior prevention interventions is warranted for MSM in Peru.

Discordance between Sexual Behavior and Self-Reported Sexual Identity

Letters3 April 2007Discordance between Sexual Behavior and Self-Reported Sexual IdentityGary LangerGary LangerFrom Director of Polling, ABC News, New York, New York.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-146-7-200704030-00017 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR: The article by Pathela and colleagues (1) underemphasized an apparent limitation in the data cited. Self-identified heterosexual male respondents were asked whether they had had sex with a man in the previous 12 months and then were read a definition of sex, including vaginal sex. Respondents who said “yes” were disproportionately foreign-born, had low education, and were married. They also overwhelmingly reported a single sex partner in the previous year and had a very low prevalence of risky sexual behavior. This profile suggests that many may have misunderstood the question and were reporting sex with their wives ...

Discordance between Sexual Behavior and Self-Reported Sexual Identity

Discordance between Sexual Behavior and Self-Reported Sexual Identity

Discordance between Sexual Behavior and Self-Reported Sexual Identity

Discordance between Sexual Behavior and Self-Reported Sexual Identity

Correction: Discordance between Sexual Behavior and Self-Reported Sexual Identity

Correction: Discordance between Sexual Behavior and Self-Reported Sexual Identity

Can Doctors Use Self-Reported Sexual Identity as a Reliable Indicator of Sexual Behavior?

Can Doctors Use Self-Reported Sexual Identity as a Reliable Indicator of Sexual Behavior?

Discordance between Sexual Behavior and Self-Reported Sexual Identity: A Population-Based Survey of New York City Men

Persons reporting sexual identity that is discordant with their sexual behavior may engage in riskier sexual behaviors than those with concordant identity and behavior. The former group could play an important role in the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. To describe discordance between self-described sexual identity and behavior among men who have sex with men and associations between identity-behavior and risk behaviors. Cross-sectional, random digit-dialed telephone survey of health status and risk behaviors. New York City. Population-based sample of 4193 men. Concurrent measures of sexual identity and sexual behaviors, including number and sex of sex partners, condom use during last sexual encounter, and recent testing for HIV infection. Sex partner information was ascertained in a separate section from sexual identity; all participants were asked about the number of male sex partners and then were asked about the number of female sex partners in the past year. Of New York City men reporting a sexual identity, 12% reported sex with other men. Men who had sex with men exclusively but self-identified as heterosexual were more likely than their gay-identified counterparts to belong to minority racial or ethnic groups, be foreign-born, have lower education and income levels, and be married. These men were more likely than gay-identified men who have sex with men to report having only 1 sexual partner in the previous year. However, they were less likely to have been tested for HIV infection during that time (adjusted prevalence ratio, 0.6 [95% CI, 0.4 to 0.9]) and less likely to have used condoms during their last sexual encounter (adjusted prevalence ratio, 0.5 [CI, 0.3 to 1.0]). The survey did not sample groups that cannot be reached by using residential telephone services. Many New York City men who have sex with men do not identify as gay. Medical providers cannot rely on patients' self-reported identities to appropriately assess risk for HIV infection and sexually transmitted diseases; they must inquire about behavior. Public health prevention messages should target risky sexual activities rather than a person's sexual identity.

Test–Retest Reliability of Self-Reported Sexual Behavior, Sexual Orientation, and Psychosexual Milestones Among Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youths

Despite the importance of reliable self-reported sexual information for research on sexuality and sexual health, research has not examined reliability of information provided by gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) youths. Test-retest reliability of self-reported sexual behaviors, sexual orientation, sexual identity, and psychosexual developmental milestones was examined among an ethnically diverse sample of 64 self-identified GLB youths. Two face-to-face interviews were conducted approximately 2 weeks apart using the Sexual Risk Behavior Assessment Schedule for Homosexual Youths (SERBAS-Y-HM). Overall, the mean of the test-retest reliability coefficients was substantial for 6 of the 7 domains: lifetime sexual behaviors (M=.89), sexual behavior in the past 3 months (M=.96), unprotected sexual behavior in the past 3 months (M=.93), sexual identity (kappa=.89), sexual orientation (M=.82), and ages of various psychosexual developmental milestones (M=.77). Inconsistent reliability was found for reports of sexual behaviors while using substances. A small number of gender differences emerged, with lower reliability among female youths in the lifetime number of same-sex partners. The overall findings suggest that a wide range of self-reported sexual information can be reliably assessed among GLB youths by means of interviewer-administered questionnaires, such as the SERBAS-Y-HM.

Ecstasy use among college undergraduates: gender, race and sexual identity

We examined a random sample ( N = 3606) of undergraduates at one large midwestern university and explored correlates of ecstasy use and how use varied by gender, race, and sexual identity. Approximately 10% of the sample used ecstasy in their lifetime; 7% had used within the past year and 3% within the past month. Ecstasy was the second most likely illicit drug to be used, marijuana being the first. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that while men and women were equally likely to have used ecstasy, excessive partying, sexual identity, and grade point average were strongly correlated with ecstasy use. After adjusting for several factors, the number of sexual partners increased the likelihood of ecstasy use, as did self-reported sexual identity; gay, lesbian, and bisexual students were more than two times as likely to have used ecstasy in the past year. Significant relationships existed between ecstasy use and other substance use such as binge drinking, marijuana use, and cigarette smoking. Implications for interventions are discussed.

Self-Reported Sexual Identity, Sexual Behaviors and Health Risks

SUMMARY Data from a population-based survey of low-income young women (n = 2,438) was used to examine substance use patterns and exposure to coerced sexual activity among women who self-identify as lesbian (n = 34) or bisexual (n = 91), or who report sexual behavior exclusively with other women (n = 17) or with both women and men (n = 189). Findings for women classified by self-identity and by sexual behavior are compared. Women who identified as bisexual or lesbian reported higher rates of lifetime and recent substance use and were more likely to report experiences of coerced sex than women who identified as heterosexual. Women with both male and female sex partners reported higher rates of substance use and coerced sexual experiences than did women with male partners only. Heterosexual women with both male and female partners were more similar to self-identified bisexuals, compared to heterosexual women with male partners only. The implications of assessing multiple dimensions of sexual orientation in research focusing on lesbians' mental health are discussed.

Sexual and drug use behavior among women who have sex with both women and men: results of a population-based survey.

Recent HIV/AIDS trends in the United States suggest a relative increase in HIV infections among women attributed to injection drug use or heterosexual contact.1 Although the biological risk of female-to-female sexually transmitted HIV is unknown, it is thought to be much lower than the risk of transmission between men and women, including instances in which a condom is used.2 However, studies focusing on women who have sex with women (WSW) have shown that some subgroups of WSW exhibit high levels of sexual risk behaviors with men as well as unsafe injection drug use.3,4 Thus, if risk assumptions are based on self-reported or presumed sexual identity, possible risks for HIV infection may be underestimated in some subgroups of WSW. Few studies have estimated the proportion of WSW or characterized their behavior in samples representative of the population as a whole. Here we describe sexual and drug use behaviors associated with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among WSW who took part in a door-to-door, population-based survey of women aged 18 to 29 years. The survey was conducted between April 1996 and January 1998 among residents of low-income neighborhoods in Northern California. Study methods have been described in detail in a previous article.5 Of 2547 women who completed the study, 2229 (88%) reported sex exclusively with men, 189 (7%) reported sex with both men and women, and 16 (1%) reported sex exclusively with women. Of the 7 HIV-positive women, 4 reported only male partners, 2 reported both male and female partners, and 1 reported only female partners. None of the 16 WSW who reported sex exclusively with women reported any injection drug use. Therefore, analyses of risk were limited to those who reported sex with both men and women and those who reported sex exclusively with men (Table 1 ▶). TABLE 1 —Prevalence of Sexual Behaviors, Injection Drug Use, and STD/HIV Infections: Population-Based Survey, Northern California Compared with women who had sex exclusively with men, women who had sex with both men and women were significantly more likely to report past and recent high-risk sexual behavior, including sex with an HIV-positive man, multiple male sexual partners, sex with a man who has sex with men, sex with an injection drug user, trading of sex for drugs or money, and anal sex. They were also more likely to report past and recent injection drug use, including use of heroin, cocaine, and speed. Finally, they were more likely to have serological markers for both hepatitis B virus (anti-HBc, HbsAG, or both) and hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV). Rates of HIV and other STDs did not significantly differ owing to the small numbers of these infections. The rates of sexual and injection drug risk activities exhibited by women in this population-based survey who reported sex with both men and women place this group at potentially higher risk of HIV and other STDs than women who were exclusively sexual with either men or women. Prevention efforts should avoid assumptions based on reported sexual identity and should acknowledge that women who report sex with both women and men may be at increased risk for HIV and other STDs.