Transvestic Fetishism: Sexual Arousal from Cross Dressing
Transvestic fetishism is a disorder where one derives sexual arousal from wearing clothes of the opposite sex. The majority of such cases involve males wearing female clothing, but there are some reports that females also derive similar sexual pleasure from wearing men’s clothes. The disorder is only considered a problem if the individual has been deriving sexual pleasure from cross dressing for at least six months. Moreover, the urge to cross dress must cause some type of personal stress and affect both lifestyle and interpersonal relationships.
The exact number of people who are into transvestic fetishism is unknown because it is typically a behavior performed at home and not many people brag about it. What is known is that the behavior usually starts in early adolescence and continues throughout life. Men who practice this behavior are often sexually aroused by wearing female garments which may include bras, panties, corsets, slips, girdles, stockings, shoes and even jewelry. These individuals will often masturbate while wearing clothing or may get aroused from just fondling the items. The majority of people who practice this behavior are heterosexuals, usually married or with partners who are fully aware of the fetish. In many cases, these people also have children and lead an otherwise normal life.
Transvestic fetish is usually performed in private but many males do wear female undergarments to work. Of course, the clothing is worn under regular work clothes.
Transvestic fetishism and trans-sexual disorder are not the same. With the former, the individual still wishes to live his or her life as a member of his or her current sex.
Transvestic fetishism is not considered illegal or criminal and most of these individuals lead normal lives. Just like some people like to watch pornographic movies for sexual arousal, these individuals like to cross dress for the purpose of sexual arousal. Problems usually arise when this type of fetish is combined with other paraphilias like pedophilia or voyeurism.
Most people who practice this type of fetish behavior do not want to be treated because they usually are not harming anyone.
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Hello. I have just read this article regarding cross-dressing fetish & arousal from wearing femonune clothes amongst males. I do not think that the fetish arousal is confined just to males. I know several females in the lesbian community who enjoy the pleasure just the same as I did of some of my schoolgirl friends going back forty years. I do not believe that these 'femme' females are any different to the cross-dressing males except that they do not stand out in a crowd. Hope that helps
February 14, 2011 - 12:35amValerie
This Comment
I wrote the note above, having come on this site for period info, but saw this comment about cross-dressing arousals. My partner is a full time cross-dresser who had gender mix complications at birth. The issue of PGAD may be a much bigger issue than had ever be imagined, even by the experts. I can bring this as a comparison between us, as when I feel good about the way I am, I am aroused just like my partner is. This can be at any time of day or night, in public, anywhere. When I say aroused, that is what I mean, even to the point of climax, fully dressed without a hint of any stimulation. I know this experience is not just confined to me as several of my lebian friends 'enjoy' the same. I need to add to make clear that I am refering to females who enjoy wearing very feminine clothes just as cross-dressers do & derive pleasure from it in much the same way. I know that there are butch females as have been descibed in the original text. I believe that we need to separate the terms masculinity & femininty from the gender terms of male or female. If there was not the society inhibition of secrecy, a more fuller picture of what is really going on would be come much clearer.
February 14, 2011 - 1:55pmBest wishes
Valerie