What is autosexual?
Autosexuality: Understanding Attraction to Yourself
Sexuality is a vast spectrum, and human desire doesn’t always fit neatly into traditional categories. One identity that often sparks curiosity is autosexuality—the experience of being sexually attracted to oneself. While it may sound unusual at first, autosexuality is a valid orientation that highlights the diversity of human intimacy.
What Does Autosexual Mean?
Autosexuality refers to people who find themselves more sexually arousing than others. This can mean:
- Feeling turned on by one’s own body or image.
- Preferring self-pleasure over partnered sex.
- Fantasizing about oneself in sexual scenarios.
It’s important to note that autosexuality doesn’t necessarily exclude attraction to others. Some autosexuals also enjoy relationships, but their strongest source of arousal comes from themselves.
Everyday Examples of Autosexuality
To make this concept more tangible, here are a few scenarios:
- Self-focused fantasies: Someone imagines themselves in erotic situations rather than picturing another person.
- Mirror arousal: A person feels sexually excited when looking at their reflection or photos of themselves.
- Preference for solo intimacy: Even in a relationship, they may find masturbation more satisfying than partnered sex.
These examples show that autosexuality is not about vanity or narcissism—it’s about where sexual attraction naturally flows.
Autosexuality vs. Other Orientations
Autosexuality is distinct from other identities:
- Autosexual vs. Asexual: Asexual individuals feel little or no sexual attraction, while autosexuals do—toward themselves.
- Autosexual vs. Autoromantic: Autoromantic people are romantically attracted to themselves, which is different from sexual attraction.
- Autosexual within the spectrum: Many see it as part of the broader “ace spectrum,” where attraction doesn’t follow traditional patterns.
Common Myths About Autosexuality
Because autosexuality is less known, myths often surround it. Let’s debunk a few:
- Myth 1: Autosexuals are narcissists.
Reality: Narcissism is a personality trait involving self-obsession and lack of empathy. Autosexuality is simply a sexual orientation, not a psychological disorder. - Myth 2: Autosexuals can’t have relationships.
Reality: Many autosexuals enjoy romantic or sexual relationships with others. Their self-attraction doesn’t prevent connection—it just means self-pleasure may play a bigger role. - Myth 3: It’s just a phase.
Reality: For some, autosexuality is a lifelong identity. For others, it may coexist with other orientations. Either way, it’s valid and real. - Myth 4: Autosexuality is unhealthy.
Reality: As long as it’s consensual and fulfilling, autosexuality is no more unhealthy than any other orientation.
Challenges Autosexual People May Face
- Social stigma: Because it’s less familiar, autosexuality can be misunderstood or dismissed.
- Relationship dynamics: Partners may feel insecure if they don’t understand this identity.
- Lack of representation: Few studies or media portrayals exist, making it harder for autosexuals to find community.
Healthy Expression of Autosexuality
Like any orientation, autosexuality is healthiest when embraced with self-acceptance. People who identify this way can:
- Celebrate their bodies and desires without shame.
- Communicate openly with partners about their preferences.
- Seek supportive communities where diverse identities are respected.
Conclusion
Autosexuality challenges traditional ideas of attraction by turning desire inward. It’s not about ego—it’s about authenticity. Whether someone identifies fully as autosexual or experiences it alongside other orientations, the key is acceptance and communication.
In the end, sexuality is not about fitting into a box but about finding what feels true. Autosexuality reminds us that intimacy can take many forms, and all are valid when they bring joy, respect, and fulfillment.
Is autosexuality and masturbation are the same ?
No, autosexuality and masturbation are not the same, though they are related concepts. Autosexuality is a sexual orientation, while masturbation is a sexual activity.
Autosexuality
Autosexuality refers to being primarily sexually attracted to oneself, either more than or to the exclusion of others.This means an autosexual individual finds themselves to be their main source of sexual arousal and satisfaction. This attraction can manifest in various ways, such as fantasizing about oneself, being aroused by one’s own body, or preferring self-stimulation over partnered sex It exists on a spectrum, meaning some autosexual individuals may still engage in sexual relationships with others, while for others, self-attraction is exclusive.
Masturbation
Masturbation, on the other hand, is the act of stimulating one’s own genitals or other erogenous zones for sexual pleasure. It is a form of autoeroticism, which encompasses any sexual activity involving only one participant, including sexual fantasies and spontaneous arousal. While masturbation is the most common autoerotic practice, autoeroticism is a broader term.Masturbation is a nearly universal activity, practiced by people of all sexual orientations and genders, and does not inherently mean a person is autosexual. For autosexual individuals, masturbation might be their preferred or most satisfying sexual outlet, but the act itself is distinct from the underlying sexual orientation.
The key distinction lies in that autosexuality describes who a person is attracted to (themselves), while masturbation describes what a person does (self-stimulation).