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(Cross-Dressing; Transvestism; Transvestic Fetishism)
By
, MD, East Tennessee State University
Last review/revision Apr 2021 | Modified Sep 2022
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- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Key Points
Transvestism involves recurrent and intense sexual arousal from cross-dressing, which may manifest as fantasies, urges, or behaviors. Transvestic disorder is transvestism that causes significant distress or significant functional impairment.
(See also Overview of Paraphilic Disorders Overview of Paraphilic Disorders Paraphilic disorders are recurrent, intense, sexually arousing fantasies, urges, or behaviors that are distressing or disabling and that involve inanimate objects, children or nonconsenting... read more .)
Transvestism is a form of paraphilia, but most cross-dressers do not meet the clinical criteria for a paraphilic disorder; these criteria require that the person's fantasies, intense urges, or behaviors cause distress, impair functioning, or harm others. The condition must also have been present for ≥ 6 months.
"Cross-dresser" is a more common and acceptable term than "transvestite." Cross-dressing and transvestic disorder are extremely rare in birth-sex females.
Heterosexual males who dress in women’s clothing typically begin such behavior during late childhood. Up to 3% of men have cross-dressed and been sexually stimulated by it at least once, but far fewer report regular cross-dressing. Cross-dressing is associated, at least initially, with intense sexual arousal. Sexual arousal that is produced by the clothing itself is considered a form of fetishism Fetishistic Disorder Fetishism is use of an inanimate object (the fetish) as the preferred method of producing sexual excitement. However, in common parlance, the word is often used to describe particular sexual... read more and may occur with or independent of cross-dressing.
Personality profiles of cross-dressing men are generally similar to age- and race-matched norms.
When their partner is cooperative or willing to participate, cross-dressing men may engage in sexual activity in partial or full feminine attire. When their partner is not cooperative, they may feel anxiety, depression, guilt, and shame because of their desire to cross-dress and may experience sexual dysfunction in their relationship. In response to these feelings, these men often purge their wardrobe of female clothing. This purging may be followed by additional cycles of accumulating female clothes, wigs, and makeup, with more feelings of shame and guilt, followed by purges.
Diagnosis of Transvestic Disorder
Specific Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria
Diagnosis of transvestic disorder requires the following:
Patients have been repeatedly and intensely aroused by cross-dressing; arousal is expressed in fantasies, intense urges, or behaviors.
These fantasies, intense urges, or behaviors cause significant distress or impair functioning at work, in social situations, or in other important areas.
The condition has been present for ≥ 6 months.
Treatment of Transvestic Disorder
Social and support groups
Sometimes psychotherapy
Most cross-dressers do not present for treatment. Those who do are usually brought in by an unhappy spouse, referred by courts, or self-referred out of concern about experiencing negative social and employment consequences. Some cross-dressers present for treatment of comorbid gender dysphoria Diagnosis Sex and gender are not the same thing. Sex refers to a person's biologic status: male, female, or intersex. Sexual identity refers to the sex to which a person is sexually attracted (if any)... read more , a substance use disorder Overview of Substance Use Substance-related disorders involve substances that directly activate the brain's reward system. The activation of the reward system typically causes feelings of pleasure; the specific characteristics... read more , or depression Depressive Disorders Depressive disorders are characterized by sadness severe enough or persistent enough to interfere with function and often by decreased interest or pleasure in activities. Exact cause is unknown... read more .
Social and support groups for men who cross-dress are often very helpful.
No drugs are reliably effective, although selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been tried and occasionally are beneficial in patients with a substantial obsessive-compulsive component to their presentation.
Psychotherapy, when indicated, is aimed at self-acceptance, family therapy, and modulating risky behaviors.
Later in life, sometimes in their 50s or 60s, cross-dressing men may present for medical care because of gender dysphoria symptoms and may then meet diagnostic criteria for gender dysphoria Gender Dysphoria Sex and gender are not the same thing. Sex refers to a person's biologic status: male, female, or intersex. Sexual identity refers to the sex to which a person is sexually attracted (if any)... read more .
Key Points
Most cross-dressers do not meet the clinical criteria for transvestic disorder.
Diagnose transvestic disorder only if cross-dressing causes significant distress or impairs functioning, and the condition has been present for ≥ 6 months.
Cross-dressers who present for treatment are usually brought in by an unhappy spouse, referred by courts, or self-referred out of concern about experiencing negative social and employment consequences of their behavior.
No drugs are reliably effective; psychotherapy and support groups may help.
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