How your FINGER LENGTH could reveal your sexuality: Study finds women with more 'male' hands are more likely to be lesbian – while men with more 'female' hands tend to be gay

By SHIVALI BEST, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR

Published: | Updated:

Your hands could divulge your sexuality, a new study has revealed. 

Scientists have revealed a simple trick to indicate whether you're more likely to be straight or homosexual. 

It involves the second–to–fourth digit ratio (2D:4D ratio), which is the relative difference between your index and ring fingers.

Researchers from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador analysed 51 previous studies on the 2D:4D ratio and its link to human sexual orientation. 

Their results revealed that women with lower 2D:4D are more likely to be lesbian.

Meanwhile, men with higher 2D:4D are more likely to be gay. 

'Bisexual women are more similar to heterosexual women in digit ratios, but there may be further nuance,' the researchers explained. 

'Those falling in the middle of the scale or between heterosexual and bisexual on the scale are more like heterosexual women, while those falling between bisexual and homosexual are more similar to lesbians in digit ratios.'

Scientists have revealed a simple trick to indicate whether you're more likely to be straight or homosexual. It involves the second–to–fourth digit ratio (2D:4D ratio), which is the relative difference between your index and ring fingers

Scientists have revealed a simple trick to indicate whether you're more likely to be straight or homosexual. It involves the second–to–fourth digit ratio (2D:4D ratio), which is the relative difference between your index and ring fingers

Previous research has shown that the length of your fingers is determined during your early development in the womb, and is linked to testosterone levels.

'2D:4D is consistently lower in males and converging evidence links prenatal androgens to its development,' the researchers explained in their study, published in Frontiers in Psychology. 

While 2D:4D is lower in men than women, the association with sexual orientation has been variable across previous studies. 

For example, one meta–analysis found lower 2D:4D ratios in lesbians than heterosexual women, but no overall association in men. 

To get to the bottom of it, the researchers conducted an updated meta–analysis comprising 51 studies including 227,648 participants. 

The results revealed clear differences between heterosexual and homosexual men and women. 

In men, homosexual participants had a higher 2D:4D ratio than heterosexual participants. 

Meanwhile, in women, heterosexual ladies had a higher 2D:4D ratio than homosexual women.

The researchers conducted an update meta–analysis comprising 51 studies including 227,648 participants

The researchers conducted an update meta–analysis comprising 51 studies including 227,648 participants

Overall, the findings suggest that hormones in the womb may influence the development of digit ratios, but also sexual orientation, according to the researchers.

'Specifically, relatively higher levels of prenatal androgen signaling may simultaneously masculize digit ratios and increase the probability of gynephilia [sexual attraction to women] in females,' they explained.

'Conversely, relatively lower levels of androgen signaling and/or higher levels of estrogen signaling may feminize digit ratios and increase androphilia [sexual attraction to men] in males.'

The 2D:4D ratio has previously been linked to everything from sporting performance and obesity to aggression and even psychopathic tendencies. 

For example, if your ring finger is longer than your index finger, you probably excel at sports – but be predisposed to opioid abuse disorder, antisocial personality disorder, and even psychopathic tendencies.

In contrast, if your index finger is longer than your ring finger, you're probably better at dealing with pain – but may find it harder to lose weight. 

WHAT HAVE STUDIES ON FINGER LENGTH SHOWN?

AFFAIRS - Women with long index fingers are more likely to have affairs

Women with long index fingers on their left hands are more likely to have affairs, a study by Oxford University revealed.

The findings surprised scientists as having a longer index finger is associated with having more typical female characteristics.

The longer index finger and shorter ring finger have been linked to being exposed to higher levels of female sex hormones in the womb.

It was assumed that women who were ‘more feminised’ would be more likely to be satisfied with their romantic relationships, and to be less impulsive.

Being more exposed to the sex hormone oestrogen in the womb leads to women’s index fingers growing longer than their ring finger.

By contrast, being exposed to more of the male sex hormone testosterone in the womb has a more ‘masculinising’ effect - and results in a longer ring finger and a shorter index finger.

SEXUALITY - Women with longer ring fingers are more likely to be lesbian 

Women whose ring fingers are longer than their index digits more likely to be lesbian, according to a study by Essex University.

Researchers looked at sets of identical twins where one of the siblings was heterosexual.

They found that the homosexual twin tended to have a greater difference between the length of their index and ring finger, with the difference most pronounced among women.

Previous research has indicated that exposure to the male hormone testosterone in the womb could be linked to differences in finger length and also to sexuality.

Women's index and ring fingers are typically of similar length while in men there is a greater difference.

Both men and women are exposed to the 'male' hormone testosterone in the womb.

VOICE - Babies are more likely to have squeaky voices if the index finger is longer than their ring finger

University of Sussex scientists found there could be a link between the length of a child's fingers and the pitch of their voice.

A baby is more likely to grow to have a squeaky voice if the index finger on their right hands is longer than the ring finger, the research suggested.

Similarly, scientists said the connection is probably the result of a lack of testosterone in the womb.

Testosterone is known to be key to early body growth and plays an important role in how vocal pitch develops during puberty.

JOB - Women with long ring fingers are more likely to have a traditionally female job

A woman’s choice of career is linked to the length of her fingers, according to a study by the National Research University in Russia.

Women whose index finger was short compared to their ring finger were more likely to have what was regarded as a traditionally male job, such as a lawyer or a manager in industry, the researchers found.

And those whose index finger was longer than their ring finger were more likely to be employed in a stereotypically female career, such as nursing or primary school teaching.

For the study, researchers from the National Research University in Russia analysed data from 1,500 men and women whose fingers were measured using digital callipers.

They found that significant differences in the 2D:4D differences were observed only for women and mostly for the left hand.

SHARING - Children with longer ring fingers are less likely to share 

Children who have index fingers shorter than their ring fingers are less likely to share their toys, research by the University of Vienna suggests.

Evidence already exists to show they are more aggressive - but the new study shows they are also more selfish - and won't even share with friends.

It is known those who have an index finger that is shorter than their ring finger are exposed to greater amounts of testosterone in the womb because the hormone affects the development of finger length.

Anthropologists argue that higher levels of the hormone during pregnancy leads to a 'masculinisation effect' in both boys and girls. Testosterone levels remain high as children age.

Austrian experts observed the habits of dozens of boys and girls given the choice of who gets glittery stickers to make the conclusion.