Transvestitism Sexual Disorder
Transvestitism Information
Cross-dressing by heterosexual males is called transvestic fetishism or transvestitism.
Often this disorder begins in childhood. It tends to be chronic in nature.
Typically, patients derive sexual gratification from wearing clothes usually worn by the opposite sex, and patients typically are heterosexual married males (not a DSM-IV criterion). There are several different categories of transvestitism:
- fe/male impersonators, who dress as members of the opposite sex for a show
- fetishistic transvestites, who are stimulated by dressing up in the clothing of the opposite sex
- drag queens/kings, who dress with the intent to amuse or offend
- shamen who cross-dress during religious/spiritual ceremonies
- transvestites who dress only for an hour a week
- transvestites who live almost full time dressed as women or men
Causes of Transvestitism
Transvestitism has no definite cause. F-M cross dressers sometimes cross dress because it feels more comfortable than male clothing. Female cross dressers are much more accepted than male cross-dressers.
Symptoms of Transvestitism
Transvestitism, or transvestic fetishism, refers to the practice by heterosexual males of dressing in female clothes to produce or enhance sexual arousal.
Some men wear only one special piece of female clothing, such as underwear, while others fully dress as female, including hair style and make-up.
Transvestitism Treatment and Medication
Treatment of transvestitism typically involves psychotherapy aimed at uncovering and working through the underlying cause of the behavior.
Women's Health
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