This may be way off the wall, but it's something I was wondering. Since we have more male hormones, did anybody ever research as to whether or not that may make us attracted to females? I have never been very girly, I hate flowers, jewelry and dressing up and just being girl in general. Can I blame this on my male hormones? I do want a husband and kids someday, but I am also fascinated by the female body. I always thought maybe that's just because mine is fat, ugly and hairy. But now that I know I have extra male hormones I'm wondering if that could have anything to do with it?????
Please give me your thoughts..this has been bugging me.
I don't like flowers, pink, hearts, anything girlie myself. I hate skirts, and refuse to wear heals or anything too girlie. I by far don't look like a tom-boy, but I was one growing up. I think female bodies are beautiful. In the artistic way though. To me Angelina Jolie is one of the most beautiful women I've seen. But I'm not homosexual, I've been married to the most wonderful man for 7 years.
Personally I don't believe having too much testosterone leads to homosexuality. If that was the case then the majority of this site would be homosexual. I have a cousin who is, and by talking to her and her partner I believe that is just the way you are. Whether your testosterone level is up or down. But I don't know is the tesosterone level is why some women feel like they were meant to be a guy.
Just like talking politics, there is probally a whole lot of different opinions on this subject. This is just mine....
BTW, just because you are fascinated with the female body doesn't mean you are homosexual. If you were, you would know and wouldn't be questioning.
Take care,
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Ericka(29) Tony(33) Married 9 years Sepember 4, 2006 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
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Originally posted by KatCarney First proof that polycystic ovarian syndrome is more than twice as common in lesbian women
Madrid, Spain: Researchers have found the first evidence that a common cause of infertility in women is more prevalent amongst lesbians than heterosexuals[1], and they suggest that the biochemical disorder associated with the condition might contribute to the women's sexual orientation.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the commonest cause of ovarian dysfunction in women and is caused by an imbalance of sex hormones. One of the main features of PCOS is hyperandrogenism[2], and now that the researchers have discovered the increased prevalence of PCOS amongst lesbian women they hypothesize that hyperandrogenism could be contributing to the women's sexual orientation.
Dr. Rina Agrawal, deputy medical director at the London Women's Clinic and The Hallam Medical Centre, and her colleagues examined 618 women who attended the clinic for fertility treatment between November 2001 and January 2003. Of these, 254 were lesbian and 364 were heterosexual women.
The women did not know whether they had polycystic ovaries (PCO) or PCOS before attending the clinic, but 15% of them had been treated previously for symptoms relating to PCOS such as irregular periods, inability to conceive, acne or excessive body or facial hair.
The women had a pelvic ultrasound examination on the second or third day of their menstrual cycle, and blood samples were taken to measure levels of reproductive hormones. A clinician, nurse and counsellor or clinical psychologist took details of their medical and sexual histories in three separate sessions.
The researchers found that the prevalence of PCO was 32% in heterosexual women and 80% in lesbian women, and that the prevalence of PCOS was 14% in heterosexual women and 38% in lesbian women. The average prevalence amongst all 618 women (lesbian and heterosexual) was 52% for PCO and 24% for PCOS. This compares with European data that show that the prevalence of PCO in the general population is 22% and 10-15% for PCOS, while 40% of all women who seek fertility treatment have PCO/PCOS.
Dr. Agrawal said: "We observed a significantly higher prevalence of PCO/PCOS in lesbian compared with heterosexual women. Our initial results are also suggestive of a significantly greater hyperandrogenism in lesbian compared with heterosexual women.
The blood samples revealed that hormones such as testosterone, androstenedione, free testosterone index and luteinizing hormone (LH) were significantly higher, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)[3] was significantly lower in lesbian women compared with heterosexual women. Dr. Agrawal said: "When we compared lesbian and heterosexual women with PCOS, lesbian women had significantly higher androgens and lower SHBG compared with heterosexual women. We found a similar result in women with PCO only, but in lesbian and heterosexual women with normal ovaries, the androgens and SHBG levels were similar."
She continued: "Our research neither suggests nor indicates that PCO/PCOS causes lesbianism, only that PCO/PCOS is more prevalent in lesbian women. We do, however, hypothesize that hyperandrogenism, which is associated with PCOS, may be one of the factors contributing to the sexual orientation of women."
However, the researchers are quick to dismiss any idea that if this was the case, then treatments for PCOS could also be seen as a "cure" for lesbianism. Dr. Agrawal said: "In 1973 the decision to remove homosexuality from the list of mental disorders was made and since then the focus has shifted from the 'cure' of homosexuality to the physical and psychological health concerns of these individuals. We do not view lesbianism as a disease that is in need of a 'cure'. The only aspects of health care we offer these women are reproductive health and assisted reproduction."
Previous studies have shown a similar prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases among lesbian compared with heterosexual women, but had not investigated the effect of this on the women's Fallopian tubes. Dr. Agrawal's study showed that there was a similar incidence of Fallopian tube disease in both groups. "The importance of this finding is to make clinicians aware that sexually transmitted diseases are just as prevalent in lesbian women as in heterosexual women. 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.
Dr. Agrawal concluded: "There are several challenges and gaps in the research and healthcare of homosexual people, and this in itself calls for focus and funding of this aspect of medicine. In the past 20 years only 0.1% of published articles were dedicated to the healthcare of homosexual individuals, and before 1990 homosexual people were invisible to healthcare research. Our study emphasizes the importance of treating these women in a non-judgmental and non-biased manner so that clinicians may offer them appropriate health advice. I hope that this study will provide an impetus and motivation to clinicians and reproductive endocrinologists to investigate and explore further the hypothesis outlined here."
Notes
[1] Although PCOS is common cause of infertility in women, this does not mean that infertility is more common in lesbian women than in heterosexuals; in fact the opposite is true, and pregnancy rates are higher in lesbian compared to heterosexual women.
[2] Hyperandrogenism is caused by abnormally high concentrations of androgens (male steroid hormones in women). Symptoms range from excess facial and body hair, to baldness, acne, deepening of the voice and loss of breast tissue.
[3] SHBG is a protein that binds testosterone and other sex hormones. Women with PCOS may have normal concentrations of total testosterone, but their SHBG is lowered and therefore free testosterone concentrations are elevated, which results in symptoms related to hyperandrogenism.
Quote:
Originally posted by KatCarney Common fertility snag more prevalent in lesbians
By Patricia Reaney
MADRID, Spain (Reuters) - Lesbians are more likely to suffer from a common fertility problem that can also increase their risk of developing obesity, heart disease and diabetes than other women.
Dr Rina Agrawal, a fertility expert at the London Women's Clinic and The Hallam Medical Center in Britain, said an ovarian problem caused by an imbalance of sex hormones is more than twice as common in lesbians as in heterosexual women.
"A startling number of lesbian women have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)," Agrawal told a fertility conference.
"The prevalence of PCOS is two and a half times, almost three times, as high in lesbian women compared to heterosexual
women."
PCOS is the most common cause of ovarian dysfunction in women. It is characterized by abnormal follicles, cells in which the eggs mature in the ovaries, irregular periods, acne, obesity, a hormone imbalance and an increase in body and facial hair.
The London clinic was among the first centers in Europe to offer fertility treatment to lesbians and single women. In a study of 618 women treated at the clinic, Agrawal discovered that 38 percent of the lesbian women had PCOS, compared to 14 percent of the heterosexual women.
The cause of PCOS is unknown but an excess of androgens, or male hormones, has been linked with PCOS. Other research studies have linked hyperandrogenism to sexual orientation.
Agrawal said her research neither suggests nor indicates PCOS causes lesbianism, only that PCOS is more prevalent in lesbian women.
"Our data does not make any conclusions or assumptions because it would be incorrect to make assumptions based on one single study," she said.
But she added that doctors should be aware that lesbians have a higher rate of PCOS because it has health implications beyond fertility.
"The main concern is on the wider health aspects such as obesity, non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes and
cardiovascular disease which are much more common in women with PCOS -- that is where the concern comes in," she said.
"Our study emphasizes the importance of treating these women in a nonjudgmental and non-biased manner so that clinicians may offer them appropriate health advice."
Although I am not and have never been attracted to a female, from my own personal experience, I have always felt like I lack the femininity of other women.
Regardless of how many dresses I wore or how much jewelry, makeup, or nail polish, etc. -- I never feel feminine enough.
When I was diagnosed with PCOS and realized that I had all these male hormones at work, I wondered if they contributed to that feeling.
Interesting article Hezzer. Glad you posted it.
I never knew.
So does that mean it is true about the testosterone levels then?
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Ericka(29) Tony(33) Married 9 years Sepember 4, 2006 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
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I don't believe the PCOS causes a woman to be a lesbian. As you mentioned, if that were the case, the majority of woman on this board would be lesbian - but they're not.
That being said, though, I do think it can contribute to such tendencies. As I mentioned in my last post, I suspected that the high testosterone levels in my body contributed my lack of femininity. The article below somewhat confirmed my suspicions. I bolded/underlined parts of the article that I found most pertinent to this discussion.
Quote:
Originally posted by Esmeralda0328
Lesbians More Prone To Ovarian Dysfunction?
Study: PCOS Feature May Affect Sexual Orientation
POSTED: 10:11 a.m. EDT June 30, 2003
A common cause of infertility in women is more than twice as prevalent among lesbians than among heterosexual women, according to British researchers.
Furthermore, the biochemical disorder associated with the condition might contribute to the women's sexual orientation, said researchers at the London Women's Clinic and The Hallam Medical Centre.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome -- or PCOS -- is the most common cause of ovarian dysfunction in women and is caused by an imbalance of sex hormones. Resesearchers found that the condition occurs more often in lesbian women, and they hypothesize that hyperandrogenism, one of the main features of PCOS, could be contributing to the women's sexual orientation.
The study included 618 women who attended the clinic for fertility treatment between November 2001 and January 2003. Of these, 254 were lesbian and 364 were heterosexual women.
The women did not know whether they had PCOS before attending the clinic, but 15 percent of them had been treated previously for PCOS-related symptoms, such as irregular periods, inability to conceive, acne or excessive body or facial hair.
The researchers found that 14 percent of heterosexual women had PCOS, compared to 38 percent of lesbian women.
When analyzing the women's hormones, the researchers found that lesbian women had significantly higher levels of testosterone, androstenedione, free testosterone index and luteinizing hormones, and a significantly lower level of sex hormone binding globulin compared to heterosexual women.
Lead researcher Dr. Rina Agrawal, who presented the research Monday at a meeting of the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology, is quick to dismiss ideas that PCOS treatments could be seen as a "cure" for lesbianism.
"Our research neither suggests nor indicates that PCOS causes lesbianism, only that (the condition) is more prevalent in lesbian women. We do, however, hypothesize that hyperandrogenism, which is associated with PCOS, may be one of the factors contributing to the sexual orientation of women," Agrawal said.
"We do not view lesbianism as a disease that is in need of a 'cure.' The only aspects of health care we offer these women are reproductive health and assisted reproduction," she said.
The study also found that lesbians and heterosexual women are at a similar risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
However, the researchers are quick to dismiss any idea that if this was the case, then treatments for PCOS could also be seen as a "cure" for lesbianism.
LMAO!!! That's ridiculous. I'm bisexual & i've often wondered if it was because of the PCOS but after researching, i've found little evidence. There's a lot of cysters who are straight & have increased androgen levels so how can this be so?
I was always a tomboy as a child. Right up until i was about 14. Then the hormones kicked in & i hated everyone lol. I'd love to see more articles if anyone finds any... xx
__________________ Sarah (24)
Vegetarian cyster
DX 11/9/03
After believing I was going crazy for years I finally have a diagnosis! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
I am also a little fascinated by the female body, or curious about some women I guess. I'm not a lesbian either though, but this has always bothered me, I wondered if there was something wrong w/me or if one day I would realize that I was gay or something...lol. I'm not, I have no attraction to women, I think I'm just curious about other women's bodies because I'm comparing mine to theirs and wondering if I am normal, if they have the same things as me, like trouble areas or things like that. If that makes sense. Or I look them over and think "I wish I looked like her" I have never thought "I want her" just want to be like her. So, I don't think that that makes you a lesbian at all. I'm completely turned on my dh and have never been turned on by a woman, just compare myself to them, or sometimes would like to see them naked (how embarrassing) just to see if they look the same as me...lol! I can't believe I just put that on the net. But I have no desire to touch them or have them touch me. I hope you guys don't think I'm crazy or sick now since I admitted that!!
Also, I never feel feminine enough either, I always tried very hard to be feminine but I never feel like I am, but I think that has a lot to do w/my weight. I think that being so heavy is what makes me not feel feminine because I am definitely a girly girl, but I just don't feel like I "portray" that or that others think that when they look at me ya know what I mean? Like when people look at me I want them to see an ELEGANT woman, but I don't think that is what I look like at all.
Just my 2 cents, but I am definitely not a lesbian, I do know people that are, my aunt is one, and she also has pcos but I don't think that it has anything to do with it. She has just had very very very bad experiences with men, and never knew she was a lesbian until she just happened to fall in love with a woman...and still did not consider herself a lesbian, she just "fell in love and it happened to be with a woman" well it took her years, but now she has fallen in love with another woman and says that she just has to accept that she is a lesbian. She doesn't think it has anything to do with pcos, but this is an interesting article. I think it just happens to be who you are and is not caused by it, if so, then like they said they could "cure it" (not that it needs a cure) and also does not expliain male homosexuality then...I doubt it is because of pcos. Maybe if you feel that way a little already the extra testosterone may help push it a long but I doubt it causes it, because then like others said we would all be lesbians and we aren't. I say if you are you are and if you aren't you aren't, that's all there is to it. Except yourself however you are, no matter what the "cause" and love yourself for the person you are, not why you are the way you are. If that made sense?
Well, before I read the article, I was all set to pooh-pooh the idea. Nothing like having to do a 180 in your own head.
My guess is that there is some hormonal peculiarity which causes a predisposition to PCOS and homosexuality. Brain development is affected by hormones, both in utero and after birth, and IIRC, there are some structural differences in the brain between lesbians and straight women. This is NOT to imply that homosexuality is a disease or a malformation. As far as I'm concerned, it's just one variation in the human form, and we're the better for it being there.
I'd also like to say that I strongly doubt that how feminine a woman feels influences her sexuality. Tomboys can like men (as evidenced by the posts in this thread). Girly-girls can like women. We have a preconceived notions that lesbians are butch women, but that's really only the lesbians we notice. The others look just like us. (gasp!)
__________________ Everything I know I learned by eating the brains of smart people
Wow. And I just thought I was making a wild assumption here. I am starting to believe that the hormones do make a difference, but I've always been a person who thought it was just a choice one made, to be homesexual or not. But...if these things are controlled by the hormones and there's a malfunction in them, it makes sense. Could it be a combination of both then? Like, for some hormones cause it and others just choose? So for me, maybe the hormones give me a little more attraction to females than a normal female hormones, but my friend who is homosexual has no hormone problems, she just chooses it?
Holy cow...... this is way above my pea sized brain.
I don't think that it is something someone just chooses...I think it is just the way they are, as evidenced by the way that a lot try to fight it for years. I don't think anyone would just "choose" it because I don't think they would choose to have to deal w/the controversy and hate that comes along w/others that don't believe in their "choices". I mean, I don't know if I'm getting this out right. I have nothing against gay's/lesbian's but a lot of people do and there are always wars about it, and I don't think that anyone would just "choose" to bring that stuff on them for fun. I think that is just who they are, nothing wrong with it, they are just who they are, as are those of us who are not homosexual and God loves us all...and I think that everyone needs to just accept who they are for the way that God made them and leave the rest alone. I don't think that we can ever figure out why some people are and some people aren't, everyone is just unique and that is what makes us all special. I don't think you can choose who you are attracted too, I did not choose to be attracted to men, it's just something that always was, and if you talk to any homosexual's you will find that they didn't choose to be attracted to the same sex, it is just something that always was as well. Just my opinion though, everyone's differs. I honestly don't think it's a "choice" though. Some people believe that homosexual's are making a choice because they are rebellious and want to go against the grain, but I don't think so.
I have never felt feminine and for that I had some confusion about my feelings towards women. I wouldn't say the increased testosterone directly caused it, but it did play a part. For the most part, the increased testosterone made me feel like a man (so much that I thought I actually was a man on the inside). Because of this, I was attracted to women because that's what men do, right? So I was attracted to women, not as a lesbian, but as a straight man.
Hope that makes sense.
__________________
Leila (28), DH (32) Darling girl E - 4/27/05 Darling boy N - 4/1/08
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I did some research on this because I have always been interested in PCOS's purpose in this world. Evolutionary pyschologists state that the basic inherent human drive is to procreate and that means a man and a woman. However, those who are homosexual still might have this drive but not an attraction for the opposite sex. Not saying that a man and women are totally nessesary for procreation, just what the psychologists state. Its just the drive for a mate is differnent, deviating against the social norm. Many state they have felt this way since they were children, so I'm thinking that perhaps hormones could create a need of a parner of the same sex because hormonal markers they posess create the need for someone that is "oppisite" of themselves. For example, a women with an high testosterone count may seek a person with less of a testerone count, i.e. another women. It is an interesting thought that hormones play a role in sexuality. Consequently, I wonder what the hormone count is in gay men? Is it similar, for example do they have more estrogen then most men? Then in turn seeking those who are oppisite from themselves. But for some to say that homosexuality could be cured is way off. Homosexuality just adds color to the human quilt. I, myself am not gay but I am interested in the female form. I have testosteone levels higher than my fiance. However, women are more emotionally attached the others and the line between sexuality and freindship is often blurred. I have no quams holding my freinds hand, whereas men tend not to do this. Our interest in another female form could be explained by the fact that we are trying to size up the compitition. (gotta love evolutionary psychologists) Overall its just natural. Sorry I went on a tangent...it was a very interesting post!
__________________ "I consider myself a good judge of people. That's why I don't like none of em." - Roseanne
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The way I feel right now (semi-rant) MEN are the reason we want to be with other women!!! Since I have been fighting with my BF lately I have been into women!!! I don't know if it has anything to do with hormones or not but I can tell you that when my long lost Best friend and found eachother again and she finally told me she is into women (she's married but going through crap with her hubby) I was surprised becasue it's her but then relieved becassue I have had those feelings, I can say since then I have been thinking alot about being with a woman mainly becasue we just know how to make US happy!!!
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Personally i dont' think there is a link, as said in earlier posts if that was the case this site would be 99% gay...
As a kid the majority of my mates were boys, i was always a tomboy, and as i grew up i never could figure out why the girls at school went all mushy over the guys...lol. At 14 i knew i was gay but having a catholic upbringing the thought scared me to death so i hid it for 20years and came out at the age of 34. i went out with guys and i did have a good time but knew that it wasnt really what i wanted.
From a kid to now i have always felt more masculine, whether this is to do with the raised testosterone i dont know, i do know my body rebels against any female hormones that the dr's have tried giving me over the years and i have had to stop them after 2 weeks. I did one of those have you got a male or female brain tests, and the average score women got was like 15%, the guys 30 - 40 % mine came out at 64%... I dont think like a female if that makes sense...lol Regarding pcos and body hair, a few of the dr's i have seen have said that even without a raised testosterone level i would still be hairy....
Its funny, if i look at a guy and think he's hunky or whatever and if the thought was a sexual one, i look at it as i am a guy shagging him not as a female, so i think that even if i was born male i still would have been gay....
__________________ -------------------------------------------
45(feels like 99 some days)
Dx - pcos 1982
Dx - diabetes 2 1999,
Tx - metformin slow release 2000mg. Insulin 5 times a day
Loads of other medications.
------------------------------- What is a friend?A single soul dwelling in two bodies.
Aristotle...
PCOS and homosexuality 
