Sexual pleasure in transgender people
All people have different erogenous zones on their bodies, many of which are related to different nervous systems. In the case of men, their main erogenous zone is the penis, especially the glans. In this area, we find the pudendal nerve, which is responsible for carrying erogenous sensitivity to the entire genital area. However, the deeper prostate area can also provide a sensation of pleasure. Similarly, in women, there is an intense erogenous zone in the clitoral area, but there is also an intravaginal erogenous and pleasurable area, which in some cases is referred to as the G-spot.
Orgasm in a transgender woman who has undergone surgery
Much has been written and spoken about the myths and realities of orgasm in transgender people who have undergone surgery. And “Is it possible to achieve orgasm after surgery?” is one of the most frequently asked questions in consultations. Experience at IM GENDER after more than 2500 vaginoplasties performed indicates that the rate of achieving orgasm in transgender women is 87%. This is even higher than the percentage of cisgender women, as it is estimated that 15% of cis women suffer from orgasmic dysfunction and have never reached orgasm.
This success rate in transgender women who have undergone surgery is explained because, in vaginoplasty, a portion of the glans from the penis is used, along with all its nerves. These are often more potent and thicker than those found in the clitoris of a cisgender woman. Maintaining the entire vascular-nervous pedicle of the glans in the new clitoris allows for the retention of erogenous sensitivity so that they can have satisfying sexual relationships with orgasm or, in some cases, multiple orgasms.
Orgasm in a transgender man who has undergone surgery
In the case of transgender men, it will depend on the technique used during surgery. In the case of metoidioplasty, the clitoral sensitivity remains intact, so sexual pleasure will be the same.
In the case of phalloplasty, although it is true that the clitoris is kept enclosed, a technique is used that allows for connecting a nerve from the clitoris to provide sensitivity to the skin of the penis. This offers the transgender man who has undergone surgery the ability to feel sexual pleasure in the genital area.
Orgasm in transgender people who have undergone surgery: myth or reality?
New techniques such as vaginoplasty, metoidioplasty, or phalloplasty allow us to guarantee erogenous sensitivity at a very high rate. Therefore, a satisfying sex life is achievable for most transgender people who have undergone surgery.
However, it is important to understand that orgasm is not just an organic function. That is, it is not only a matter of anatomy that allows the nervous system responsible for erogenous sensitivity to function. This is evident when we observe cisgender men and women whose organic function is completely healthy, yet they are unable to reach orgasm in a sexual relationship. Sexual pleasure also depends on our hormonal level. For example, this explains why cisgender women experience less sexual desire and greater dissatisfaction because of decreased levels of certain hormones during menopause. A similar situation occurs in cisgender men when they are unable to generate sufficient testosterone. To address this, subcutaneous implants of bioidentical hormones are currently being introduced, which work very well for both cisgender men and women and should be assessed for their effectiveness and/or need in the case of transgender individuals.
What is important for transgender individuals to achieve a satisfying sex life after surgery is that the endocrinologist regulates and monitors hormone levels to ensure optimal hormonal balance so that orgasm is feasible.
The mind and orgasm
But orgasm and sexual pleasure are more than just an endocrine issue. It is said that the most powerful sexual organ we have is our mind. It is she who allows for excitement and pleasure, but also the one who can inhibit it. In fact, it is in our brain where that “explosion” of neuronal connections that we call orgasm occurs.
Sexual response involves both the body and the mind in a complex and interconnected way. That is why there are people, whether cis or trans, whose sexual organs and hormones function perfectly, without any alteration, yet they are unable to achieve orgasm. Vaginismus, fears, insecurities, low self-esteem, emotional issues, stress… are some of the psychological barriers that our mind can create in reaching full sexual satisfaction. Thus, the lack of orgasm is often not the result of a non-functioning nerve or insufficient hormones but rather hides some psychological issue that prevents our mind from achieving its goal.
Do you have more questions about genital confirmation surgery and orgasm? Ask our IM GENDER team, and they will clarify them for you.
Want to learn more about transgender surgery or have any questions? Feel free to contact us. We are here to help.