Two 19-year-old conjoined twins, known only as Mia and Lia, have opened up about their intimate experiences and the challenges of navigating sex while sharing a single reproductive system.
The sisters, who share a vagina, revealed their sexual orientations and personal boundaries in a candid Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything).
Mia and Lia explained their anatomy in detail, describing the parts of their bodies they share and those they control independently: “We are connected at the abdomen, so two different brains, two hearts, four(ish) lungs, two livers, two stomachs, and then below that we share our intestines, bladder, and our reproductive system.
"So yes, the same vagina! We each have one arm and leg we can control respectively.”
They also noted some physical limitations, including Lia’s compressed lungs and severe scoliosis, which affect her strength and mobility.
Sexual Orientation and Personal Boundaries
The twins clarified their sexual orientations: Mia identifies as a lesbian, while Lia is straight.
Despite their different preferences, they revealed they had made a mutual decision to abstain from sex, citing both physical discomfort and the serious risk of pregnancy: “While both me and my sister have sexual urges and both experience arousal, we agreed from an early age on that we would not have sex as it would be very uncomfortable for both of us and the risk of pregnancy is too great.”
The twins prefer to use aliases (stock photo). Credit: Angel Santana/Getty Images.
They added that although they won’t engage in sexual activity, they are open to non-sexual intimacy with their partners, such as kissing, cuddling, and hugging.
Mia and Lia addressed questions about masturbation, revealing that they no longer practice it due to physical discomfort: “We have masturbated in the past, but we've agreed not to do it as it was too uncomfortable for us.”
They explained that touching each other’s genitalia feels awkward, likening it to: “Imagine someone touching your shoulder incessantly.
"It would be pretty annoying and weird.
"That’s what it’s like if Lia touches our shared vagina, it feels like someone messing with your body.”
Understanding Arousal and Sensation
Despite sharing anatomy, the twins clarified that sexual arousal is brain-specific.
One twin can feel physiological responses without experiencing arousal themselves: “Arousal is a complex hormonal communication between the brain and the genitals, so if you aren't the one getting aroused, you can kind of tell your genitals are aroused without being aroused yourself. It's the same for other things.
"I can tell when she's hungry even if I'm not, or when she's anxious because of her heart rate and I'm not.”
The sisters emphasized that their approach is unique to them: “Other conjoined twins, like Abby Hensel and Brittany, may have more or less intimate interactions.
"What works for them is good. For us, no sexual activity works best.”
They also confirmed that this rule extends to all sexual acts, including oral sex.
Abby and Brittany Hensel are well-known conjoined twins in the US. Credit: Facebook.
Coping With Sexual Urges
Despite abstaining, Mia and Lia explained how they manage sexual desires: “It’s not emotionally awkward, we’ve experienced life together. It’s more physically uncomfortable.
"We feel when our vagina is touched, and it would be horrifying to have someone we’re not in a relationship with touch our private parts.
"We just won’t satisfy those urges, and that’s okay. If nuns can do it, so can we.”
Mia and Lia decided to share their experiences after the revelation that fellow conjoined twin Abby Hensel married in 2021.
The sisters wanted to provide a space for curious people to ask questions without bothering other conjoined twins who haven’t chosen to discuss their private lives.
The AMA has since sparked conversations about intimacy, consent, and the unique challenges faced by conjoined twins navigating relationships, sexuality, and personal boundaries.