Adult erotosexual status and fetal hormonal masculinization and demasculinization: 46,XX congenital virilizing adrenal hyperplasia and 46,XY androgen-insensitivity syndrome compared.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional comparative study with clinical control groups
PubMed 6514935 · doi:10.1016/0306-4530(84)90048-9
What was done
Researchers compared adult erotosexual orientation in 30 young women with treated 46,XX congenital virilizing adrenal hyperplasia (CVAH) against a clinical control group of 27 women (15 with 46,XY androgen-insensitivity syndrome and 12 with Rokitansky syndrome).
What was found
In the CVAH group, 11 of 30 women (37%) rated themselves as bisexual or homosexual. In the combined control group, 2 of 27 women (7%) rated themselves as bisexual (chi-square p < 0.01). The abstract also notes historical reference data from Kinsey's 1953 sample (15% experiencing homoerotic arousal imagery by age 20, 10% with partner contact).
Why it matters
This study provides clinical evidence supporting the hypothesis that prenatal or early neonatal androgen exposure influences adult sexual orientation in human females.
Limits
The sample size is small (n = 57 total). The control group comprises two distinct clinical conditions rather than healthy population controls, and specific measurement instruments, potential confounding variables, and treatment details are not described in the abstract.
Cited by
- supports Women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia are more likely to report same-sex sexual attraction than the general population, with the reported percentage of lesbian orientation increasing with age.