New research on asexuality shows why it’s so important for doctors and therapists to distinguish between episodes of low libido and a consistent lack of sexual attraction

Over the past two decades psychological studies have shown that asexuality should be classified not as a disorder but as a stable sexual orientation akin to homosexuality or heterosexuality. Both cultural awareness and clinical medicine have been slow to catch on. It’s only recently that academic researchers have begun to look at asexuality not as an indicator of health problems but as a legitimate, underexplored way of being human.

In biology, the word “asexual” typically gets used in reference to species that reproduce without sex, such as bacteria and aphids. But in some species that do require mating to have offspring, such as sheep and rodents, scientists have observed individuals that don’t appear driven to engage in the act.

  • novamdomum@kbin.social
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    11 months ago

    Thanks, that was actually really interesting and I learnt stuff I didn’t know beforehand. The thing is your comment seemed to trigger quite a few people (me included) because it seemed insensitive. Thankfully you later commented that “For some people (like all the ones in the article) they want it fixed. Others are perfectly happy the way they are, and both are fine and none of anyone else’s business” so you obviously get it. It’s funny how easy it is for people to misunderstand each other in forums like this. This has been a learning experience for me.

    • givesomefucks@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      No worries.

      Came here from /all like most people probably did. I was used to /science on Reddit where most people have a scientific background.

      So my comment assumed familiarity with all the basic stuff. And yeah, science wise you have to be a little insensitive talking about this stuff, but most of the time it’s described as “clinical” instead.

      Which has not worked out well from all the replies I got lol.

      I just didn’t know the tone of this community