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Medical News Today uses definitions of sexual, romantic, and gender identities that come from LGBTQIA+ and ally sources. However, it is important to note that these identities are personal, and people may define them differently. Always refer to a person’s sexual, romantic, or gender identity the same way the person describes it. A person who is polysexual may choose to have a relationship with a person of any sexual orientation or gender. However, they will not necessarily feel attraction toward all genders. This article covers what polysexuality is and how it differs from other sexual identities. It also discusses some myths and misconceptions about polysexuality and provides tips and resources for people who are polysexual and their loved ones. What does polysexual mean Share on PinterestKathleen Finlay/Getty ImagesThe prefix “poly” means “many,” and a person who is polysexual may be attracted to multiple genders but not necessarily all genders. How it compares with other multisexual identities Multisexuality is an umbrella term that describes romantic or sexual attraction toward more than one gender. Polysexual means attraction toward multiple genders. Some people may use it interchangeably with the term “bisexual,” which describes the attraction toward more than one gender. However, it is different than other sexual identities that fall under the bisexual umbrella, or bi+, such as:Pansexual: Pansexual means an attraction toward all genders, regardless of the person’s gender.Omnisexual: People who are omnisexual feel attraction toward all sexes or genders.Polyamory: This term means having multiple non-monogamous relationships, with the awareness and consent of all the people involved. People may also describe themselves as fluid if their attraction fluctuates between different sexual identities. Signs that a person might be polysexual People may be polysexual if they experience attraction toward multiple genders but not necessarily all genders. Anyone who feels that the term fits who they are and is a good label for their sexuality may choose to describe themselves as polysexual. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to define their sexuality and use whichever terms they feel best represent them. How does a polysexual relationship work A person who is polysexual may choose to have a relationship with a person of any sexual orientation or gender. They may have relationships with people who are not polysexual. In such cases, the partner can take steps to support the person’s sexual identity, such as:avoiding assuming that the person is straight or gay based on the current relationshipavoiding fetishizing the person’s sexualityvalidating the person’s sexual identity For people who are not polysexual, it is important to remember that the gender of a partner does not define a person’s sexuality. A person who defines themselves as polysexual is still polysexual regardless of the gender of their partner. Myths and misconceptions Many myths surround polysexuality. We look at some of these below. Polysexual people are unfaithful People who experience attraction toward more than one gender are no more likely to be unfaithful to a partner than anyone else in a relationship. Being polysexual does not mean that a person is less committed to their partner or that they are attracted to everyone. Polysexual people are hypersexual Polysexual people may also face the misconception that they are more likely to have multiple sexual partners. A person who is polysexual can experience a variety of sexual behaviors, which is also the case for a person of any sexual orientation. Polysexual people are just unsure or experimenting Polysexual is a valid sexual identity, just like any other. The agency Healing Abuse Working for Change (HWAC) states that the belief that people who are polysexual are unsure or experimenting could be damaging to these individuals. These beliefs may invalidate a person’s identity and could lead them to experience low self-esteem and self-worth. In some cases, people who feel as though their identity is not valid may experience depression, anxiety, and traumatic stress. Does a person need to let others know they are polysexual It is up to each individual to decide whether to let others know that they are polysexual and who to tell. People can decide what feels right for them so that they feel safe and seen. The Bisexual Resource Center reminds people that the following actions are all fine:waiting until they feel as though they have enough support around themtelling certain people and not otherssharing one part of their identity and not another if they do not feel readytelling people one identity and then later changing it to another label that they feel is a better term for their identityconnecting with people in the bi+ community without sharing their identity An individual may find that telling people they trust helps them feel more supported and understood. Helping loved ones understand polysexuality The Human Rights Campaign Foundation suggests that a person take certain steps when telling loved ones about their sexual orientation to help them understand. These include:preparing and practicing what they want to get across to the other personchoosing a time when the person is able to receive the information and discuss ittelling people about any boundaries, such as not telling others personal informationstaying open to answering questions about polysexuality and what it means for them, if they feel comfortable doing sopointing people toward resources, media, or books that explain polysexuality People may not always react in the way the individual expects or wants. Some people may have uninformed opinions that feel challenging or upsetting. Being prepared for a variety of responses and processing any feelings that come up may help. Although some loved ones may be accepting, relieved, or celebratory, others may need time to work through their emotions. Where to learn more People may find the following resources helpful for learning more about polysexuality and other identities under the bisexual umbrella:Bisexual Resource CenterLGBTQIA+ WikiThe Trevor ProjectTrevorSpace, an online community for LGBTQ people aged 13–24 yearsbi.org Summary Polysexuality means attraction toward multiple genders. People may class polysexuality under the bisexual umbrella, or bi+, which includes other sexual orientations in which people feel attraction toward more than one gender. To discover more evidence-based information and resources for LGBTQIA+, visit our dedicated hub. Last medically reviewed on July 14, 2022LGBTQIA+ 9 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Bi+ info: What it means to be a B(ee). (n.d.). https://biresource.org/bi-info/Coming out as bi+. (n.d.). https://biresource.org/coming-out-as-bi/Coming out: Living authentically as bisexual+. (2021). https://reports.hrc.org/coming-out-living-authentically-as-bisexual?_ga=2.92783901.148420083.1657113848-1982343193.1657113848Etemadi, K. (2020). How to support your bi partner. https://bi.org/en/articles/how-to-support-your-bi-partnerLibertin, A. (2017). Erasing the stigma: Bisexuality, pansexuality, polysexuality. https://hawcdv.org/erasing-the-stigma-bisexuality-pansexuality-polysexuality/Maheshwari-Aplin, P. (2022). 5 common misconceptions about pansexuality. https://www.stonewall.org.uk/about-us/news/5-common-misconceptions-about-pansexualityThe bi umbrella. (n.d.). https://bi.org/en/101/bi-umbrellaVilkin, E., et al. (2022). Bi+ adults' daily wellbeing: The roles of relationship status and partner gender. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/pere.12418What is bisexuality? (n.d.).https://biresource.org/what-is-bisexuality/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Francis Kuehnle, MSN, RN-BC — By Beth Sissons on July 14, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? 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