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Infertility and same-sex attraction in women
Satoshi Kanazawa1, Adrien Larere1
1Department of Management, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK.
Summary
Biological infertility in women may increase same-sex attraction and behavior, potentially linked to evolutionary adaptations for managing tensions in polygynous marriages. This effect was not observed in men.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Psychology
- Human Sexuality
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Polygynous marriage structures may create unique social dynamics.
- Female sexual fluidity is a complex trait with potential evolutionary underpinnings.
- Distinguishing between biological and surgical infertility is crucial for understanding reproductive health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the polygyny hypothesis of female sexual fluidity.
- To investigate the association between biological infertility and same-sex attraction/behavior in women.
- To examine the differential impact of biological versus surgical infertility on sexual orientation in both sexes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the National Survey of Family Growth.
- Statistical examination of correlations between infertility types (biological vs. surgical) and same-sex attraction, behavior, and self-identification.
- Comparison of findings between men and women.
Main Results:
- Biological infertility significantly predicted increased same-sex attraction, behavior, and number of partners in women.
- Surgical infertility was not associated with same-sex attraction in women.
- Biological infertility showed no association with same-sex attraction in men, while surgical infertility was negatively associated.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the polygyny hypothesis, suggesting biological infertility may be an evolutionary adaptation influencing female sexual fluidity.
- The type of infertility (biological vs. surgical) has differential implications for sexual orientation.
- Results highlight sex-specific patterns in the relationship between infertility and sexual orientation.
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