Partner interaction, acceptance affect trans people’s ability to relax during sex

Sexual dissatisfaction and dysfunction are high among trans people assigned female at birth (AFAB), as shown by their lower sexual pleasures scores compared to cis people, and several factors influence their ability to relax during sex, according to a study.

“Next to sexual problems and dysfunctions, future research on the relationship between medical transition and sexuality should additionally address positive aspects of sexuality, such as sexual pleasure and sexual satisfaction, and its possible function as a resource pre, during, and post transition,” the researchers said.

In this study, young urban trans people AFAB completed 16 semi-structured interviews, which were then assessed using qualitative content analysis.

In terms of good sex components, participants mentioned various influences on their ability to relax and strategies to improve relaxation during sex. In addition to general influences on relaxation, the way their partners interacted with them and how accepted they felt in their identities and feeling safe also affect their ability to relax.

Other significant factors included transition and coming-out status, physical and sexual function changes due to hormone therapy and gender affirming surgeries, specific sexual techniques and aids, social constructs, and the circumstances in which sex took place.

The following strategies were found to increase relaxation during sex among trans people: using aids such as penis prostheses, preferring certain sexual practices (ie, being more dominant or on eye-level), reducing visual aspects, drinking alcohol, and deconstructing gender and sexual norms.

“When working with trans clients, inhibitors of relaxation should be assessed and addressed, which could include working on clients’ [beliefs] about trans sexuality, gendered sexual scripts, or various techniques to reduce body dysphoria, if present, during sexual practices,” the researchers said.