CAH and Sexual Orientation
How can a disorder like congenital adrenal hyperplasia explain some differences of sexual orientation in women?
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a genetic disorder that results in the overproduction of androgens (male sex hormones) by the adrenal glands, even in females. This condition provides a valuable case study for understanding potential biological influences on sexual orientation, particularly among women. Here’s how CAH might contribute to differences in sexual orientation:
1. Increased Prenatal Androgen Exposure
- In CAH, females are exposed to unusually high levels of androgens during fetal development, leading to masculinization of certain physical and brain structures. Elevated androgen exposure is known to influence areas of the brain associated with sexual behavior and attraction, possibly affecting future orientation.
- Some studies have shown that women with CAH are more likely to identify as lesbian or bisexual than women without the disorder, suggesting a potential link between higher prenatal androgen levels and same-sex attraction…
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a genetic disorder that results in the overproduction of androgens (male sex hormones) by the adrenal glands, even in females. This condition provides a valuable case study for understanding potential biological influences on sexual orientation, particularly among women. Here’s how CAH might contribute to differences in sexual orientation:
1. Increased Prenatal Androgen Exposure
- In CAH, females are exposed to unusually high levels of androgens during fetal development, leading to masculinization of certain physical and brain structures. Elevated androgen exposure is known to influence areas of the brain associated with sexual behavior and attraction, possibly affecting future orientation.
- Some studies have shown that women with CAH are more likely to identify as lesbian or bisexual than women without the disorder, suggesting a potential link between higher prenatal androgen levels and same-sex attraction…
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a genetic disorder that results in the overproduction of androgens (male sex hormones) by the adrenal glands, even in females. This condition provides a valuable case study for understanding potential biological influences on sexual orientation, particularly among women. Here’s how CAH might contribute to differences in sexual orientation:
