Conjoined twins may share certain body parts. How does this difference affect their sexual behavior compared to non-conjoined individuals?
The Sexual Lives of Historically Famous Conjoined Twins
The topic of sexual relations among conjoined twins has always sparked controversy. Should such relationships occur, and how does one twin’s sexual behavior impact the other?
For centuries, despite this being a sensitive issue, scientists and medical experts have strived to understand it, particularly the impact of conjoined twin status on their sexual lives.
The world’s first conjoined twin sisters who married two husbands but never had sex
Daisy and Violet Hilton were a famous pair of conjoined twins from Sussex, England. Born in 1908, they were sold by their mother to a woman named Mary Hilton. The sisters were conjoined at the hips and buttocks but had separate organs for the rest of their bodies.
After being sold by their mother, Daisy and Violet became a source of income for Mary Hilton, performing in shows worldwide. It wasn’t until 1931 that they gained their freedom.
Conjoined twin sisters Daisy and Violet Hilton.
Later, the sisters married two different men. Violet married actor James Moore, who was gay. Their marriage lasted 10 years but Violet later called it a mistake. Daisy married a dancer named Harold Estep, who was also gay, and their marriage lasted only ten days.
Daisy and Violet Hilton had no children, and later, the conjoined twins died after being abandoned by their manager in a town in North Carolina.
Due to their conjoined anatomy and marriages to gay men, many believe that Daisy and Violet Hilton never had a sexual life and that they likely remained virgins at the time of their deaths.
The sexual scandal involving conjoined twin sisters
Rosa and Josepha Blazek were born in Skrejšov, Bohemia (now the Czech Republic) on January 20, 1878. Unlike typical conjoined twins, both shared tissues and cartilage in their chests and spines, making surgical separation extremely difficult.
Despite being conjoined, Rosa and Josepha had physical differences. Rosa was generally healthier, while Josepha exhibited more deformities, including a significantly shorter left leg.
Rosa and Josepha, though conjoined, showed physical differences.
While Rosa desired romantic relationships, Josepha vehemently opposed it and disapproved of Rosa’s behavior. In 1909, Rosa claimed to be pregnant, causing a public sensation as the sisters were quite famous at the time. This incident led to the downfall of their careers.
Although the twins had separate genitalia, they shared sensations in that area and inevitably experienced physical closeness. Some reports suggest that the sisters engaged in sexual activities, while others claim that Rosa was the sexual enthusiast and Josepha was an unwilling victim of her sister’s actions. There are even claims that Rosa drugged her sister to facilitate her immoral behavior.
Conjoined brothers who married and had 21 children
Chang and Eng Bunker were born on May 11, 1811, in Samutsongkram, Siam (now Thailand). Their father was a fisherman of Thai and Chinese descent, while their mother, Nok, was half Chinese and half Malaysian.
The brothers were conjoined at birth by a band of tissue around the waist. Their mother saved their lives by twisting the tissue connecting their umbilical cords and positioning the two boys to face each other.
The brothers were conjoined at birth by a band of tissue around the waist.
On April 1, 1829, the Bunker brothers left home and toured the world performing. After years of hard work and fame, they became wealthy gentlemen.
Chang and Eng were conjoined in many parts of their bodies but fortunately had separate genitalia. The duo sought love and eventually married two sisters, Adelaide Yates and Sarah Anne. Both wives bore children for Chang and Bunker, resulting in a total of 21 healthy offspring—evidence that they had sexual lives like any normal men.
What causes conjoined twins?
Although medical experts have learned much from births, surgeries, and laboratory tests, knowledge about conjoined twins remains limited, particularly concerning conception and development.
This is largely because conjoined twins are exceptionally rare, occurring in about 1 in 200,000 births. Of these, 40%-60% die before birth, and those who are born often do not survive beyond the first 24 hours. All conjoined twins are identical, meaning they are always of the same sex, yet scientists have not explained why female conjoined twins survive three times more than male twins.
In fact, 70% of living conjoined twins are female, and fewer than 12 pairs of conjoined twins exist today.
An X-ray image of conjoined twins in 1954.
In the womb, most identical twins separate from a fertilized egg into two individuals 8 to 12 days after conception. The reasons why conjoined twins do not completely separate are complex, but two prominent theories exist.
According to the Mayo Clinic, one possible cause is delayed separation: if the embryo starts to separate 13 to 15 days after fertilization, the separation may not complete. Another theory proposed by Seattle Children’s Hospital suggests that the embryo can completely separate but then re-fuses during development.
Can conjoined twins engage in sexual activity?
Research on the sexual lives of conjoined twins is sensitive because intimacy for one can affect the other. Many questions arise regarding the sexual experiences of conjoined twins: What sensations do they feel during sexual intercourse? If one is sexually aroused, does the other feel it? If one reaches orgasm, does the other enjoy it?
The short answer is that we do not know. Conjoined twins, like the rest of us, tend not to discuss their most intimate moments publicly. Based on what we know, nerves, muscles, hormones, and psychology likely contribute to sensations. If twins share a genital organ, both will feel any touch.
However, conjoined twins may engage in sexual activity less frequently than non-conjoined individuals, not only because it may be challenging to find someone who accepts them but also because they may not feel the need to seek it out. Over time and space, conjoined twins are often closely bonded, feeling an intimate connection that diminishes the need for external partners. Like aging couples, they may find fulfillment in their bond without the necessity for sexual relations.
