First Proof that PCOS More than Twice as Common in Lesbian Women - Page 2

georgy · 04-21-2007, 04:01 PM

this thread is freaking me out, I have a longer ring finger, compared to my index finger. I'm straight but I have always felt masculine compared to other females.

I feel very confused now

saiph · 04-22-2007, 02:24 AM

I'm surprised that no one else seems to be, like me, concerned that people will view treating PCOS as a way to "cure" lesbianism (or preventing PCOS as a way to prevent lesbianism). Sure, the researcher says that's not what we should take from the study, but her rationale is that homosexuality is no longer viewed as a disease, which I feel is still not true in a large segment of society. I appreciate any information on what might have made me who I am and I definitely want any and all medical research to be available to everyone... I am just having visions of a whole new wave of we can cure your gayness and prevent it in your daughters (or if you have PCOS and a liklihood of passing it on, don't have children) organizations.

Also, was anyone else bothered by this sentence: "Previous studies have shown that at least 70% of lesbian women have been heterosexual or bisexual previously. Sexual practices amongst the remaining 30% who have never been heterosexual means that STDs can be transmitted between women sexually." Uhh, I feel I have always been bisexual... (D**n, I'm in a snarky mood today.)

By the way, my ring fingers are substantially longer than my index fingers. When I have daughters I'm going to check their tiny fingers immediately upon birth so that I will know whether to sew little rainbow-colored onesies and/or have her checked for PCOS at an early age (kidding... I'll have her checked for PCOS regardless and probably dress her in rainbow onsies regardless, too

)

georgy · 04-22-2007, 05:58 AM

joey I was thinking like that last night. like, what if they got the testosterone levels completely under control in lesbian women with PCOS....would that make a difference in their sexual persuasion? the study says that the testosterone levels might account for a womans sexual persuasion in the first place.

I've been very aggressive lately, in a confrontational way and I was going to get my testosterone levels checked again, last time they were checked I was told by my gynae that I had abnormally high levels - made me feel like sh!t actually, I felt more manly than my hubby. it really is freaking me out.

bonnieboo · 04-22-2007, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beelzebubble

this makes me wonder if there are multiple causes of pcos, genetic and environmental...

I think the answer to that is a definitive yes.

georgy · 04-22-2007, 06:31 PM

the genetic thing rings true. I 100% believe that if there's diabetes in the family, probably on the dads side, that girls down the line can be susceptible to PCOS.

joyblack · 04-30-2007, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgy

what if they got the testosterone levels completely under control in lesbian women with PCOS....would that make a difference in their sexual persuasion? the study says that the testosterone levels might account for a womans sexual persuasion in the first place.

It wouldn't make much difference to their inclinations which are largely determined by exposure to "male" levels of testosterone during the first three months after conception. That initial exposure affects the way the brain develops and sensitizes the body so that it can if exposed to high levels of testosterone in later life respond in a "male" way.

Quote:

I've been very aggressive lately, in a confrontational way and I was going to get my testosterone levels checked again, last time they were checked I was told by my gynae that I had abnormally high levels - made me feel like sh!t actually, I felt more manly than my hubby. it really is freaking me out.

It's quite possible for us to have more of the obvious effects of high testosterone levels than many males. But for us it's natural. No point in us freaking out about having beard growth, for example, when it's as normal for us as it is for a male. There are many respects in which those of us who have hubbies may actually be more manly than they are -- and that includes aggressive feelings etc. Some things I reckon it's just better to acccept that those "masculine" characteristics are actually normal for us.

Hezzer · 04-30-2007, 05:42 PM

Quote:

In women the index finger is normally longer than the ring finger.
In men, the ring finger is normally longer than the index finger.

It's a function of early fetal exposure to testosterone.

If your ring finger is longer than your index finger, the chances are that your brain has also been exposed to male-type levels of testosterone during its early development as has the rest of your body.

If you're a woman and your ring finger is longer than your index finger, the chances are high that you'll have significant male characteristics and there's also a much higher incidence of lesbianism among women with ring fingers longer than index fingers.

When I first heard this some time ago, I went on an expedition of sorts. I checked out the fingers of every woman I came across: family, coworkers, church members, ladies in line ahead of me at the grocery store. I have yet to find one woman with a ring finger NOT longer than her index finger. I question whether it is really even valid.

georgy · 04-30-2007, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joyblack

It wouldn't make much difference to their inclinations which are largely determined by exposure to "male" levels of testosterone during the first three months after conception. That initial exposure affects the way the brain develops and sensitizes the body so that it can if exposed to high levels of testosterone in later life respond in a "male" way.

It's quite possible for us to have more of the obvious effects of high testosterone levels than many males. But for us it's natural. No point in us freaking out about having beard growth, for example, when it's as normal for us as it is for a male. There are many respects in which those of us who have hubbies may actually be more manly than they are -- and that includes aggressive feelings etc. Some things I reckon it's just better to acccept that those "masculine" characteristics are actually normal for us.

thank you. thats a great reply.

Kameyan · 04-30-2007, 06:53 PM

It makes sense to me. If homosexuality is biological that means there is a biological cause of it. Hormones unfortunately control almost everything about us. Some people feel that it is an abnormality with the hormones. That is one way to look at it but if you view this as a biological link to homosexuality then it allows for scientific argument against homosexualtiy being a choice. Of course orientation like other biological factors such as race, height, gender, and physical features will always be used by some as means of discrimination. My ring finger is longer than the index. I am a satisfied hetrosexual. Didn't manifest any masculine features (hair, deep voice until the 20's). Don't feel masculine. Have almost every pcos symptom imaginable. Actually only time I have ever felt less feminine was after my hysterectomy feel like less of a woman because I can't reproduce. That feeling comes and goes. I think you can find a correlation to many things if you look. People are so ignorant at times. I hope no one tries to market this as a cure. I am firm believer that diversity applies in every situation including ones beliefs so you can believe in homosexuality as biological, a choice, a sin, a blessing whatever just don't ever think that others have to agree with you. What a more peaceful place this world be if folk would just let others be who they are. If you don't believe in something don't do it but don't go around others how they should live there life because the only life you have to give an account for is your own. This research is interesting.

mobi · 10-27-2007, 12:32 AM

I so told some friends (jokingly, of course) that PCOS was the reason I liked women when I was first diagnosed. Who knew I was probably right! As for the finger length. Mine are about the same length. And I am bi. Makes sense.

februarystar · 10-27-2007, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hezzer

When I first heard this some time ago, I went on an expedition of sorts. I checked out the fingers of every woman I came across: family, coworkers, church members, ladies in line ahead of me at the grocery store. I have yet to find one woman with a ring finger NOT longer than her index finger. I question whether it is really even valid.

On my left hand it is, on my right hand it isn't.

helenandjay · 10-27-2007, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melloyello

i wonder if its to do with the high levels of testosterone that many cysters have!
sorta the same thinking as Leshia that maybe it has to do with hormones! who knows!

as a child i have always felt as though i was a boy im not a tom boy but i always felt that i looked like a man

PcosGirl20 · 10-28-2007, 01:56 AM

Huh....interesting.

*** scratches head***

and they think they can cure lesbianism....LOL!!!! Good Luck people...

jescat14 · 11-06-2007, 11:14 AM

thanks! I've always wondered whether there was a colleration between the two... personal experience has led me to believe there definitely is, and it's only a matter of time until it's confirmed!

artschoolgirlfriend · 11-23-2007, 02:01 AM

i do not think the ring finger/index finger thing is valid at all.. i'm pretty sure it is random. most lesbians who i know have the same size fingers, or their ring finger is actually shorter. i think it just depends on who you are and how big your hands are. lol i have very small hands, so my ring finger is considerably shorter! oh well. anyway. it was really interesting to read about the correlation between lesbianism/bisexuality and women having PCOS. I always wondered if my hyper-androgynism led to my attraction to women (always thinking there was something wrong in my brain that made me ''abnormal'') That was when I was younger. now of course, I know i'm not ''abnormal''!! and perhaps when i come out to my mom, this might help my case... (PCOS/hormonal imbalances and their links to homosexuality...?) Just a thought! Take care, ladies.