What is autosexuality?

Autosexuality is a sexual orientation in which a person experiences sexual attraction primarily or exclusively to themselves. This means that autosexual people derive sexual satisfaction from their own appearance, body, or actions rather than from physical intimacy with other people. They may masturbate, fantasize about themselves, or enjoy their reflection, bodily sensations, while experiencing sexual arousal. 

Some features of autosexuality:

1. Focus on self: Autosexual people may find their own bodies or actions most attractive, as opposed to being attracted to other people.

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2. Does not exclude other types of sexuality: Autosexuality can be combined with other sexual orientations. For example, a person may be heterosexual, bisexual, or asexual but still experience sexual attraction to themselves.

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3. Autoromanticism: This is a related concept to autosexuality where a person not only experiences sexual but also romantic attraction to the self. He or she may derive satisfaction from romantic acts directed toward the self - for example, grooming themselves, as if they were grooming another person.

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4. Variety of manifestations: Autosexuality can manifest itself in many different ways; some people may focus entirely on themselves as the object of sexual attraction, while for others it is simply one aspect of their sexuality.

What you need to know if you're in an autosexual relationship

In a couple where someone is autosexual, this may mean agreeing to take turns for sexual pleasure rather than trying to achieve it at the same time. You have a right to sexual pleasure and to have your feelings heard and respected, and you also have a responsibility to be honest with your partner and to hear and respect their feelings. 

Sexual acts with an autosexual partner

It is also important that an autosexual's sexual partner does not take sexuality as an insult. A partner who is autosexual will almost always be more aroused by touching their body than by your touch, but this is only a reflection of their sexuality, not a rejection of you. 

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While people who are autosexual can and do certainly enjoy sex with other people, they can only experience orgasm through stimulation of their own bodies; and this may seem a little alienating to the partner, but there are many workarounds. Alternatively, a partner can touch an autosexual's body until they are ready to orgasm, and then step back and watch their partner. Keep in mind that watching your partner give themselves an orgasm can be just as satisfying as being the one who “gave” them an orgasm. You can also:

• Cuddle up to your autosexual partner while they masturbate

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• Masturbate with them

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• Read them an erotic story about themselves while they masturbate

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Autosexuality is not always culturally acceptable

Another challenge that autosexual people face is the fact that our culture values partnered relationships above many other types of emotionally satisfying experiences. This deeply ingrained cultural message can make many people feel that their experience of desire is “less than.” In this sense, many people unfortunately feel shame about masturbation, despite the fact that many people will masturbate at some point. 

Misconceptions about autosexuality

An autosexual person may get more satisfaction from thinking about and touching their body, but that doesn't mean they aren't interested in pleasing their partners. As with any new understanding of less common sexual identities, the general public is not always so eager to accept people for who they are. 

Additional aspects and factors related to autosexuality:

1. Self-empowerment and sexuality

Autosexuality involves intense self-gratification; so a person may experience arousal at seeing or interacting with their own body (e.g., through mirrors, photographs, or videos). For some people, this may be deeper than a normal sense of pride in one's appearance.

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2. Masturbation and fantasies

Autosexuals often enjoy masturbation not just as a process of discharge, but as a way of immersing themselves in their own bodies and sensuality. They may not fantasize about other people, but specifically about themselves - their actions, body, and sensations.

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3. The difference between healthy self-esteem and autosexuality

Healthy self-esteem and autosexuality are different things. Loving one's body and taking care of oneself does not necessarily mean that one is sexually attracted to oneself. Autosexuality involves a more intense attraction where the person themselves becomes the primary object of their sexuality.

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4 Relationships with others

Autosexual people may engage in sexual and romantic relationships with others, but for some, sex with a partner may not be as satisfying as interacting with themselves. Therefore, they may prefer relationships with no sexual component or low levels of sexual activity.

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5. Psychological aspects

In some cases, autosexuality can be linked to narcissistic traits, where a person feels overly attached to their appearance or themselves in general. However, this is not always the case, and in most autosexuals it is not a sign of a narcissistic disorder; more often it is simply an aspect of their sexual preference.

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Some researchers believe that modern culture, with its emphasis on ideals of beauty and perfection, can increase the manifestations of autosexuality in people. In this sense, constant interaction with one's own image in social media, photos, and mirrors can create a sense that one's own body is an object of lust.

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7. Autosexuality and gender

Autosexuality can occur in people of any gender and gender identity; so a person may enjoy their appearance as a male or female body, regardless of which gender they identify with.

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8. Social perception

Autosexuality is rarely discussed in society and can be surrounded by prejudice. Many may perceive it as something “unusual” or even narcissistic, when in fact it is simply one of the variants of sexual preference.

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9. Scientific Research

Research on autosexuality is in its early stages; as the topic of human sexuality is very diverse, and autosexuality has only recently begun to attract the attention of scientists. They are studying how such drives are formed and how they affect self-perception and sexual relationships.

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