Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHistory of Sexual FluiditySigns You Are Sexually FluidSexual Fluidity and BisexualityHow to Practice Sexual FluidityTips for Living as a Sexually Fluid Person

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

History of Sexual Fluidity

Signs You Are Sexually Fluid

Sexual Fluidity and Bisexuality

How to Practice Sexual Fluidity

Tips for Living as a Sexually Fluid Person

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Sexual fluidity, like the term, might hint at refers to a person’s sexual preferences being flexible. Many people tend to identify with one particular type ofsexual orientation.

For instance, someone might identify as heterosexual, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, gay, etc. However, people who identify as sexually fluid don’t commit to a particular sexual orientation or identity. They don’t ascribe to any of these labels.

If you think you are sexually fluid, you should know you are not alone. In a 2015 study, 64% of women and 52% of men reported that their sexual orientation was fluid.Sexual fluidity means you have no particular sexual orientation, and it can change over time.

What to Know About Sexual Orientation

It’s important to note that some people who identify as bisexual, heterosexual, or gay can also experience periods of sexual fluidity. Anyone who shows varying patterns in their sexual attractions and preferences is sexually fluid.

If your sexual preferences change over time, you may identify as sexually fluid. According to some research, the most common manifestations of sexual fluidity include:

You could identify as gay, bisexual, heterosexual, or any other common concepts under sexual orientation and still be sexually fluid. Being sexually fluid means that different types of people can evoke a sexual response from you, depending on the situation you find yourself in.

For instance, if you are a heterosexual woman who finds yourself amid other women for long periods, you might find yourself being sexually attracted to some of these women. These women you are attracted to could have masculine features or other attributes you find attractive when seeking a heterosexual partner. They also might not and you could just find yourself attracted to them for some other reason. This is sexual fluidity.

What Do the Colors of the New Pride Flag Mean?

People tend to use the termsbisexualityand sexual fluidity interchangeably. However, there’s a distinct difference between both concepts.

While people who are bisexual remain consistently attracted to people who are either male or female, people who are sexually fluid constantly experience changes in their sexual desires throughout their lives. They might experience sexual attraction to people of any gender sporadically.

Some sexually fluid people could remain sexually attracted to a particular gender for several years and only experience fluidity periodically.

While bisexuality only gives room for a person to be attracted to two genders, sexual fluidity allows for constant change in sexual attractions.

The most distinct difference between both concepts is that sexual fluidity isn’t a sexual orientation, while bisexuality is. People of any sexual orientation could be sexually fluid.

Pansexual vs Bisexual: Understanding the Spectrum

There’s no one way to practice sexual fluidity. That’s the whole point of it. You shouldn’t think too deeply about who you are attracted to or how you practice yoursexuality. Sexuality is a personal thing and looks different in everyone.

Sexual fluidity doesn’t also always focus on just sex. You might enjoy having sex with people who identify with one gender and only seek to make romantic connections with people who identify with another gender.

The bottom line is that human sexuality is dynamic. You don’t need any labels to help identify who you are sexually attracted to and what your sexual preferences are.

It’s important to remember that it’s perfectly OK for your sexual attraction to be fluid. Who you are sexually attracted to isn’t something you should seek to control. If you’ve recently discovered that you are a sexually fluid person, here are some tips to help you become comfortable with who you are:

What Determines Sexual Attraction, Exactly?

A Word From Verywell

If you find that your sexuality changes over time, you may be sexually fluid. Sexual fluidity is nothing to be ashamed of and there are other people who are sexually fluid, so you’re certainly not alone. If you find that it’s difficult for you to deal with or come to terms with your sexual identity, talking to a mental health professional who specializes in gender and sexuality may be most helpful to you. Also, you can join support groups to meet other sexually fluid people, people in these groups will likely validate your experiences and provide you with comfort and emotional support.

What to Do When You’re Questioning Your Sexuality

4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stanford Vaden Health Services.Sexual Fluidity.Katz-Wise SL.Sexual fluidity in young adult women and men: associations with sexual orientation and sexual identity development.Psychology & Sexuality.2015;6(2):189-208.Baumeister RF.Gender differences in erotic plasticity: The female sex drive as socially flexible and responsive.Psychological Bulletin. 2000;126(3):347-374.Diamond LM.Sexual fluidity in male and females.Current Sexual Health Reports 2016;8(4):249-256.

4 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stanford Vaden Health Services.Sexual Fluidity.Katz-Wise SL.Sexual fluidity in young adult women and men: associations with sexual orientation and sexual identity development.Psychology & Sexuality.2015;6(2):189-208.Baumeister RF.Gender differences in erotic plasticity: The female sex drive as socially flexible and responsive.Psychological Bulletin. 2000;126(3):347-374.Diamond LM.Sexual fluidity in male and females.Current Sexual Health Reports 2016;8(4):249-256.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Stanford Vaden Health Services.Sexual Fluidity.Katz-Wise SL.Sexual fluidity in young adult women and men: associations with sexual orientation and sexual identity development.Psychology & Sexuality.2015;6(2):189-208.Baumeister RF.Gender differences in erotic plasticity: The female sex drive as socially flexible and responsive.Psychological Bulletin. 2000;126(3):347-374.Diamond LM.Sexual fluidity in male and females.Current Sexual Health Reports 2016;8(4):249-256.

Stanford Vaden Health Services.Sexual Fluidity.

Katz-Wise SL.Sexual fluidity in young adult women and men: associations with sexual orientation and sexual identity development.Psychology & Sexuality.2015;6(2):189-208.

Baumeister RF.Gender differences in erotic plasticity: The female sex drive as socially flexible and responsive.Psychological Bulletin. 2000;126(3):347-374.

Diamond LM.Sexual fluidity in male and females.Current Sexual Health Reports 2016;8(4):249-256.

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