Sexuality and gender identity: Is the microbiome a factor?

[IsthmusSIBO]

As we have seen throughout the literature, we know the microbiome is responsible of many aspects of human health, and it is also affected by factors outside it like genetics, lifestyle and the environment. A major component affected by the microbiome is our personality and mental health.

That said… Is it possible that our sexuality might be unconsciously affected by the microbiome as well?

What I will ask might be offensive, but is having an alternative sexuality and gender identity (LGBTQ+) a sign of dysbiosis? I have seen that it is very common for neurodivergent individuals (Autism, ADHD, etc.) to be LGBTQ+.

In that case… Is it possible for FMT to change someone’s sexuality? Or is that reaching?

 

[Michael Harrop]

It's mostly correlations right now (https://forum.humanmicrobiome.info/threads/sexual-preference-sexual-behavior-gender-preference-and-the-microbiome.282/), but it wouldn't surprise me at all if it played a causative role.

 

[IsthmusSIBO]

It's mostly correlations right now, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if it played a causative role.

Click to shrink...

Okay, it seems the studies are about a correlation with sexual practice and the microbiome of gay men. I imagine this is because of the consumption of semen and anal penetration. But so far there is no mention of the study of the microbiome of non-sexually active/virgin gay men.

Although sexually active straight women are as likely to consume semen and receive anal penetration during sexual intercourse as gay men, there is no confirmation that they share the same microbiome patterns. A comparative study would be interesting.

[…]

Would you disqualify a potential donor if they were queer? I don’t think I have seen that question in the screening questionnaire (probably omitted to avoid accusations of bigotry). But let’s say the donor is perfect in literally every metric and test (athlete), no red flags at all; but they are queer, yet not sexually active.