Sexual Arousal and TSTG

Do we engage in TSTG behavior because we get sexually excited by crossdressing and cross-gender presentation? What do we know about sexual arousal anyway? If we only do it for the thrill of sexual arousal why does TSTG continue when the initial thrill fades? What happens after TS transition is complete?

The most important thing about the science of sexual arousal is that it is learned, mostly in teenage years and young adulthood. Sexual arousal follows the laws of Classical Conditioning, sometimes known as Pavlovian conditioning. When we were teenagers and full of sex hormones that changed and sensitized our genitalia and breasts almost any sensory stimulus would trigger sexual arousal but especially from the opposite assigned gender behavior category. Gradually this arousal became paired with stimuli associated with those with whom we were attracted and those with whom we engaged in sexual behavior. Learning of arousal responses continues with masturbation and night dreams. The pairing established linkages such that those stimuli produced sexual arousal by themselves alone, particularly if the stimuli were strong and novel. For heterosexual males, the experience of feminine stimuli, like feminine clothing, makeup and behavior became erotic. For heterosexual females, the experience of masculine stimuli, like bulging muscles, masculine smells and masculine behavior become arousing. For homosexuals and lesbians the conditioning to same-sex stimuli can also be learned at this age.

Many TSTG experienced this conditioning. So it is no surprise that when they crossdress, they initially get sexually aroused because of the close contact with the clothing and trappings of their preferred gender category. We previously received conditioning to this clothing and presentation. No doubt that sexual arousal can be initially motivating for TSTG behavior but the linkages creating sexual arousal also have to obey the other laws of Classical Conditioning.

The principles of Classical Conditioning also tell us that these stimulus-response linkages can also fade or extinguish. With repeated exposure, the stimuli no longer evoke sexual arousal. We sometimes see TSTG explore dress in all sorts of outlandish outfits that might evoke sexual arousal.

Arousing?

TSTG crossdressing behavior is ideal for extinction of sexual arousal learning because exposure to multiple stimuli occurs at the same time. In fact, in order to reduce previously learned fears or phobias, therapists sometimes use “flooding desensitization” in which they expose the patient to multiple stimuli all at once, while the patient practices relaxation techniques. This technique is also used sometimes to treat post-traumatic stress by allowing patients to experience combat experiences in virtual reality while practicing relaxation. The soldier patient may experience the sights, sounds and even smells of downtown Bagdad all at once while in a relaxed state.

Sexual arousal by TSTG to crossdressing may not extinguish completely but there must be other motivations for continuing TSTG behavior. This is especially true because of the cultural rejection of TSTG and/or the stress of keeping TSTG secret. This argument was made by Virginia Prince in her studies of TG. Yes, Virginia did a little science with several prominent psychologists.

So what about TS who complete transition concluding with genital plastic surgery (sometimes called sexual reassignment surgery)? What happens to their sexual behavior and presumed sexual arousal? At least for MtF, approximately 50% are attracted to males; while 30% are attracted to females and the rest are asexual. Some of those attracted to males were already attracted to males pre-op while others changed their sexual behavior. There are a few studies that measure post-op sexual arousal from changes in penis and vaginal arousal but such measurements are not very reliable. Better answers will be obtained using function magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in the future since it is established that there are differences between male and female in brain response to presentation of usually arousing stimuli.

The bottom line on sexual arousal is that early on in our TSTG careers, sexual arousal is present and no doubt motivating. But as we get more experience the thrill of sexual arousal fades and we continue TSTG behavior because we prefer a gender behavior category that is more congruent with our biological predisposition.

Tags: crossdressing, featured, sexual arousal, sexual orientation, sexuality, Transgender, Transsexual

Category: Transgender Body & Soul