BDSM fetish and kinks
The BDSM universe is large and diverse. There are many ways to experience kink. The deeper one explores the areas of bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, as well as sadism and masochism, the more endless this universe seems to be in terms of kink activities and variations. For those who want a comprehensive list of BDSM fetishes and kinks, there is a useful resource available.
This table of kink offers an easy-to-understand, visual representation of most recognized BDSM activities.
In this article, we will not only review the contents of the table, but also give a brief description of the various aspects of the BDSM world.
Primary BDSM elements
Bondage:
Art and pleasure of being bound, for the purpose of sexual and/or psychological satisfaction.
Sadism/Masochism:
To achieve sexual and/or psychological satisfaction by consensually inflicting or receiving pain and suffering. These concepts originate from the well-known historical figures Marquis de Sade and Leopold von Sacher-Masoch.
Vanilla
Sex toys:
Sex toys are implements that are specially designed for sexual enjoyment and can be used alone or with a partner. They can enhance mutual masturbation, foreplay or be used during intercourse.
Lingerie:
Lingerie refers to underwear and nightgowns with an erotic design. It is made of tactile and attractive materials such as lace, satin, silk, leather or PVC. Sexy lingerie is intended to enhance body presentation for personal enjoyment or to please a partner.
Masturbation:
Masturbation is the act of sexually satisfying oneself using fingers or sex toys specifically designed for self-stimulation.
Oral sex:
Oral sex involves the use of the mouth and tongue to provide sexual pleasure to a partner's genitals, typically focusing on the vulva and clitoris, penis and testicles, or the anal area during rimming/analingus.
Striptease:
A striptease is a performance in which clothes are slowly and sensually removed, often to music, to titillate and sexually excite the audience.
Tantric Sex:
Tantric sex is an ancient Hindu practice of shared sexual pleasure that focuses on weaving and expanding energy. Practiced for over 5,000 years, it promotes intimacy and heightened sensuality, leading to more powerful orgasms through a slow and deliberate sexual experience.
Tickling:
Tickling can act as a form of sexual stimulation, ranging from light, titillating touches to intense sensations. It can be erotic when done with fingers or feather-tickling, and for some tickling itself can become a fetish (known as knismolagnia).
Nipple play:
Nipple play involves sexual stimulation of the nipples, which are highly sensitive erogenous zones filled with nerve endings. Different methods can be used, including fingers, tongue, teeth or toys such as nipple clips and suction toys to deliver erotic stimulation.
Handcuffs:
Fluffy handcuffs are often viewed from a vanilla point of view and are a popular introductory product for those exploring more kinky practices such as bondage. They often appear in pop culture and symbolize a playful approach to sexual exploration without deep knowledge of the world of BDSM.
Sensation
Nuru Massage:
Nuru is a Japanese form of massage where both participants are naked. The person giving the Nuru massage rubs their naked body over the naked body of the recipient with the help of a specially formulated massage gel. This very intimate form of massage provides intense visual, mental and physiological stimulation which leads to psychological and physical satisfaction and/or sexual arousal.
Cupping:
Cupping is an ancient type of Chinese medicine that has been embraced by some in the BDSM community for its sensually erotic benefits. Cups or bowls are used to create an area of suction on the skin and this can be done over erogenous zones such as the clitoris, breasts/nipples, inner thighs and other places to increase the arousal sensation.
Electro Sex:
Electrosex is the practice of stimulating areas of the body using electrical currents through specially designed equipment such as electro-pads and electro-sex toys. This can be done for pleasure or consensual pain.
Edge Play:
Edgeplay is an umbrella term that relates to physical or psychological experiences that go beyond the traditional SSC style of BDSM power exchange. It falls under one of the other styles: RACK. Examples of edgeplay include certain enhanced types of wax play and temperature play, knife play, fire play, breath play, cutting and barebacking.
wax game:
Wax play (sometimes written as wax-play) is the BDSM practice in which melted wax is dripped onto a consenting partner's body for sensory benefits and/or sexual arousal. It can be combined with bondage for a more intense experience. Care must be taken to only use wax play candles and wax drip pots specifically designed for these sessions.
Knife game:
Knife play in BDSM involves activities involving the use of knives. The objects used may include swords and daggers as well as knives. They provide the consenting submissive partner with an element of fear which heightens the sensory stimulation. This is achieved by physical methods such as scratching the skin, cutting away clothing or removing wax after wax play, or psychologically through threats with or without the use of a blindfold.
Temperature play:
Another broad term used to describe the use of objects and liquids in a BDSM session that are heated or cooled for a more intensive sensual experience. This includes fire play, ice play, wax play, use of heated or cooled glass dildos, metal sex toys and bondage accessories. Blindfolds are often used to intensify the effects, while being tied up during the session can enhance the experience.
fire play:
In fireplay, a flame is used on or near the skin of a consenting partner to create physical and psychological arousal and to enhance the power exchange session in general. It is considered edge play because of the various risks associated with it. The goal is not to burn or leave marks, but simply to enjoy an enhanced sensual session with fire. Tools used may include fire rods, burning gloves, or whips.
Sex acts
Cream Pies:
Enjoying the sight of a vagina with just ejaculated semen leaking out and/or consuming the sperm that has just been ejaculated into the vagina.
Deep Throating:
Taking the penis all the way to the back of the throat and a little further during blowjob.
bareback:
Vaginal or anal sexual intercourse between persons of any gender without the use of barrier protection such as condoms.
Bukkake:
Where a person receives multiple loads of semen over their face and body delivered by a ring of ejaculating spectators around them.
Fisting:
Stimulating the vagina or anal area by penetration with a clenched or open hand.
Double Penetration:
Often abbreviated to DP, double penetration is when someone is sexually penetrated by two people or objects at the same time. There are different ways this can happen, such as simultaneous penetration of vagina and anus, mouth and vagina/anus (also known as spit roast), anus of two penises or toys at once (DAP) or vagina of two penises or toys at once (DVP).
Cum Shot:
A representation of the moment of ejaculation from a penis that you can see in vanilla porn (facials, etc.) or bukkake movies. The cum shot can also be on the receiving person's butt, breasts, back, or another area of their body.
Watersports:
Sexual activities involving urine or urination, which includes, but is not limited to, douches.
Group sex:
Sexual activity involving more than two people. This can be anything from partner exchange in the same room (soft swinging) and triangles/quadrilaterals to large sex gatherings and orgies.
Rusty Trombone:
The act of rimming someone (giving anal oral sex/analingus) while reaching between their legs to give them a handjob (masturbating their penis) at the same time.
Anal:
Sexual stimulation or penetration of the anus. This can be with a penis (or two!), anal sex toys such as butt plugs and prostate massagers or rimming/anal licking.
Squirting:
Squirting usually refers to the specific ejaculate from the urethra of a person with a vagina, which is due to sexual stimulation - and which is not urine. The term 'squirting' refers specifically to this type of sexual ejaculation, as opposed to that from a penis.
Teabagging:
Lowering the testicles onto someone's face by assuming a squat position over them without actually sitting on their face.
Felching:
Similar to cream pies, except that it is the anal area that is filled with semen, which is 'eaten' during anal swallowing.
Snowballing:
Passing semen between mouths, usually during kissing.
pompom:
Using the muscles of the vagina to stimulate the penis in an undulating motion while those involved remain still. This is easiest to achieve when the person with the vagina is on top of the person with the penis. The sensation has been compared to milking.
Public Sex:
Having sex or receiving sexual stimulation in a public place. These sex locations can include private places where those involved run the risk of being seen or 'caught' to heighten the tension, such as a yard/garden, balcony, quiet street or field etc. It can also refer to more public places such as cinemas , shopping malls, beaches or while traveling, such as in an airplane.
Autopederasty:
The extremely rare ability and practice of a person with a penis to be able to penetrate their own anus with it.
Domination
Tease & Denial:
Tease and denial involves creating sexual arousal through teasing, combined with denial of climax, release and relief through orgasm.
Cuckolding:
Cuckoldry in BDSM is enjoying being present/monitoring/being aware of one's romantic and/or BDSM partner having sex with someone else – or being the one 'cuckolding' one's partner or submissive in this way.
Forced Feminization:
The practice of dressing a partner in traditionally feminine clothing and telling them to behave in a stereotypically feminine manner for mutual sexual/psychological pleasure and fulfillment of submissive needs. There is often also a humiliating element involved, which justifies the 'forced' in the name, despite the fact that all activities must be actively accepted. Also known as sissification.
Orgasm Denial:
Denying a kinky partner orgasms for mutual sexual/psychological fulfillment. This can be done by obeying and submitting to the dominant person's command, or with the addition of a physical barrier to orgasm release, such as a chastity device.
Slave Training:
Training a submissive to become a slave, in the specific manner desired by the dominant partner.
Forced Orgasms:
Forced orgasms involve requiring the submissive partner to orgasm, one or more times, or actively stimulating the person to orgasm by the dominant person or a tool/machine of their choice. For example, the dominant person may hold a magic wand vibrator against the genitalia of the submissive, who may be bound in bondage, to intensify the senses until they are 'forced' to orgasm.
Male Dominance:
Self-explanatory: the consensual enjoyment of a male dominant partner.
Small Penis Humiliation:
The pleasure of humiliating a like-minded, consenting partner about the (real, imagined or fantasized) small size of their penis, or deriving pleasure from being the target of this humiliation.
Queening (Facesitting):
Facesitting is the kinky practice of sitting on or hovering over another person's face, applying pressure to them from the sitter's bare or clothed genital area, or simply their scent and proximity. It can also be performed to allow or force oral service from the 'sittee' to the desired area of the genital region from the 'sitter'.
Sissification:
Similar to 'forced feminisation' above, but with more emphasis on the humiliation aspect rather than a true representation of a stereotypical woman from the submissive partner. Layered clothing is likely to be more costume-oriented, with pink satin, large bows, ribbons, lace and flashy accessories often prominent.
Sexual Humiliation:
The practice and enjoyment of humiliating someone, consensually, through a variety of methods and activities.
Sensory Deprivation:
Temporary removal of one or more senses to increase arousal and intensify the experience. BDSM sensory deprivation is often achieved through the use of accessories such as blindfolds and total sensory deprivation hoods.
Torture
Ball Busting:
Inflicting intense pain and suffering on the testicles through various methods. This can include kicking, trampling, using implements such as whips, paddles and whips or by placing the testicles in a vise, for example.
Nipple Torture:
Pain in the nipples, which can be performed in different ways and with different tools. This may include, but is not limited to, nipple clamps, weights, needles, suction devices, BDSM pinwheels, teeth or fingers/nails.
Cock and Ball Torture (CBT):
Often abbreviated to CBT (but not to be confused with cognitive behavioral therapy!). Pain is inflicted on the penis and testicles of the willing recipient in various ways. Unlike ball busting, where the pain is generally associated with hard impact, cock and ball torture can be done more gradually using tools such as humblers, weighted cock rings, pointed cock rings, application of irritants or by being twisted and abused by hand.
Ball Stretching:
The practice, whether for consensual pain or pleasure, of stretching the testicles away from the body. This is often done using specific tools for the purpose, such as ball stretcher rings, weights and similar accessories.
Clit Torture:
Pain based on the clitoris inflicted through various methods and implements such as: irritant topical gels, clips and clamps, pressure, pinching, punching, suction devices, ice cubes, tickling, whipping/smacking, and predicament bondage resulting in unavoidable pressure on the clitoris.
Cock Whipping:
Self-explanatory: the practice of whipping a penis.
Cock Trampling:
Trampling over the willing recipient's penis, either in shoes or bare feet.
Ball Crushing:
Practice of extreme compression of the testicles for sexual/psychological pleasure. This can be done by hand, or by foot trampling – or using a specific tool for the purpose, such as a vice.
Holding
Chastity:
Abstaining from orgasms and sex, either self-imposed or at the request of a dominant partner. This can be done with the use of chastity devices such as a chastity cage or without.
Gags:
A device worn in or over the mouth to prevent speech and to increase the bondage and humiliation aspect. Types of kinky mouth gags include ball gags, bit gags, dildo gags, ring gags, inflatable gags, dentist gags and many more.
Kinbaku:
A Japanese style of bondage. The word means "tight binding". This style of bondage is visually intricate and is done with several pieces of thin, natural fiber bondage. In Western BDSM we often refer to this as Shibari.
Collaring:
Placing a BDSM collar around the neck of a submissive. Although putting on and using a collar may only form a small part of a D/s play scene, in other contexts it can be a more meaningful and symbolic act that seals the relationship between owner and submissive. There are collaring ceremonies in BDSM that can be compared to weddings.
Shibari:
As mentioned earlier, this is a Japanese style of bondage. Known as Kinbaku in Japanese, the Western BDSM scene refers to this visually intricate style as Shibari bondage. This word has a wider meaning in Japanese; it means "binding" or "binding" in a variety of contexts.
Breast Bondage:
Restraining and binding the breasts for sexual/psychological fulfillment. This can be done with ropes, clamps, harnesses and other specialized accessories.
Suspension:
Raising a person to a suspended position while they are tied. Precautions must be taken to only use frames designed for suspension bondage, or that the ceiling or beam you attach the hoist to is secure enough to support a bound person safely.
Mummification:
Wrapping a person completely, in the style of the ancient Egyptian mummies, to completely prevent movement. A number of materials can be used for this, including plastic wrap, fabric, bandages, rubber bands, duct tape, plaster casts, body bags or straitjackets.
Hog Tie:
Freedom of movement is severely restricted in a 'hog tied' position (all four limbs are chained together, either on the back or on the stomach). This gives the consenting submissive an attractive heightened state of vulnerability.
Human Furniture:
Also known as forniphilia. The pleasure of being viewed and used as a piece of furniture, for example a footstool, table, tray, chair or other inanimate object of furniture.
Medical Douching:
The introduction of water or other fluids into a body opening (usually vaginal or anal) to be swung around and then expelled, for the purpose of cleansing and/or to provide sensory pleasure. This is done with vaginal or anal douche.
Enemas:
The introduction of water or other fluids into the anal cavity, which may be immediately expelled or held for a period of time chosen by the dominant by means of a plug or other suitable device.
Urethral Sounding:
Urethral sounds are specialized instruments designed to be inserted into the urethra of a person with a penis. They are usually made of a body-safe metal, can have different diameters and have different types of tips.
Urethral sounding is intensely stimulating. There are even electrosex sounds for greater intensity and layered forms of stimulation.
Penis Pumping:
Using a penis pump for sensory pleasure – or being 'forced' to use one/having one used as part of a domination/submission scene. The intense stimulation of the penis can be overwhelming and lead to physical and mental torture.
Needle Play:
The use of needles in a BDSM context to provide physical and psychological stimulus. This type of play piercing or recreational acupuncture is done for pleasure rather than leading to permanent body piercing or adornment. Any piercing accessories such as needles are removed after the scene to allow the skin to heal. Can lead to an intense natural endorphin high or even orgasm for needle play fans.
Catheter Play:
Catheter play is most often practiced on people with a penis, due to the relative ease of inserting objects into this type of urethral opening. Catheters are flexible tubes that are inserted in this way to give the feeling of something being inserted into the body, as well as loss of control over bladder emptying. If the catheter is closed, there is no way to relieve the pressure in the bladder when urinating, no matter how desperate the urge becomes.
Scrotal Inflation:
The enjoyment of the visual and sensory impressions of stretching the scrotum, which is usually achieved by injecting liquid or sometimes air/gas into the scrotum. This is a risky practice.
Impact
Spanking:
The practice of clapping the person in the submissive role, usually by the hand clap/over the knee (OTK) clap. Those involved get physical and psychological fulfillment and there can also be a strong sense of sexual arousal, although this is not always the case.
Canning:
Inflicting pain on relatively safe areas of the submissive's body (butt, fleshy backs of thighs) using a spanking rod.
Flogging:
Giving physical punishment to fleshy areas of the recipient's body using a BDSM flogger. This is a multi-tailed whip where the tails can be long or short.
Flagellation:
An umbrella term to describe beating the body for masochistic/sadistic purposes in BDSM using a variety of tools of corporal punishment. These may include, but are not limited to, floggers, tawses, crops, paddles, whips, switches and other whipping objects.
Whipping:
Corporal punishment using BDSM whips. This can be a single-tailed whip like a bull whip or multi-tailed in style. The term 'whipping' usually suggests a heavier style of punishment than 'flogging', which can be done in a light, sensual and mischievous way - as well as in a more brutal way.
Paddling:
Corporal punishment using spanking paddles. Paddles are handheld, flat implements that can be light (leather-wrapped) or heavier in style (wooden or metal). Paddling balls on a submissive partner leads to sadistic and masochistic pleasure for both parties, with related visual impressions of flushed cheeks. Using a paddle is another way to clap.
Role Play
Cross Dressing:
Dressing in traditional clothing of a gender different from one's own for psychological fulfillment and/or sexual pleasure.
Adult Baby:
Part of the wider ageplay fetish. Also known as ABDL (Adult Babies/Diaper Lovers).
Furries:
Enjoying role playing as an anthropomorphic animal. Those in the 'furry fandom' often have a particular animal-based identity and may also have the appropriate outfit or costume to enhance their 'furry' related experiences, activities and encounters with others in the 'scene'. Furries may enjoy this fetish for psychological fulfillment, for sexual arousal, simply for fun – or all of the above.
Pony Play:
A subcategory of animal role-playing games where one partner takes on the role of a pony while the other is usually their handler or rider. This fetish can be enjoyed without accoutrements, but accessories such as crops, riding whips, pony head harnesses, bitgags, reins, stirrups, saddles, butt plug tails and even hoof-like footwear are often used.
Puppy Play:
Like pony play, this area of animal role-play focuses on the consenting fetishist taking on the role of a puppy. Puppy play can simply involve exchanges of power and activities through posture and vocal commands, but accessories such as collars, dog heads, dog tail plugs and the like are often used for a more dramatic and intense experience.
Kitten Play:
Animal role play where the consenting fetishist takes on the role of a kitten. Accessories such as tail plugs, collars, ears and costumes can be used to intensify the pleasure gained from the role play session.
Pig Play:
Where the consenting fetishist assumes the role of a pig or piglet. Accessories include collars, curly pig tails, trotter bondage gloves and 'piggy' heads and masks.
Butt Stuff
Rhyming:
Using the tongue to provide sexual stimulation in and around the anus area (analingus). In recent years, sex toys have been created to try to recreate the sensation, such as the B-Vibe Rimming Butt Plug.
Pegging:
Using a strap-on dildo anally on another person, for mutual kink fulfillment and/or sexual pleasure.
Cake Farts:
An offshoot of a flatus fetish made popular by an infamous 2008 website that featured a video clip of a porn star farting on a frosted cake. Therefore, the cake fart fetish is, as it sounds, the act of farting on a cake (where the bottom or anus is in contact with the cake). This may be for the sensory pleasure or sexual arousal of the fart, the viewer, or both.
Prostate Massage:
The practice of massaging the prostate gland for sexual pleasure, to 'milk' it for kink fulfillment or health reasons, or as part of wider sexual play. The prostate gland is found a few inches inside the rectum of a cisgender man. P-spot massage can be done with fingers (with or without gloves), but is often easier with the use of a specially designed prostate massager and some compatible lubricant.
Prostate Milking:
As touched on with prostate massage, prostate milking is the act of massaging the prostate gland until fluid is released that comes out of the penis (prostatic fluid, which is basically ejaculate without sperm cells). This can be done for its own pleasure, as part of a wider D/s power exchange scenario, or for health reasons. Again, this practice is often found easier with the use of a specially designed prostate stimulator due to the location of the prostate gland.
Figging:
Figging is the practice of inserting some peeled ginger into the anal or vaginal area for sado-masochistic reasons. This can be for one's own kinky pleasure or requested by the consenting submissive partner as part of a wider D/s power exchange scenario. The peeled ginger induces a burning sensation in these sensitive areas. Figging was first used outside of the BDSM sphere as a form of punishment for female slaves in ancient Greece.
Anal Stretching:
Enjoying the sensation and/or visual impression of stretching the anal entrance for kinky fulfillment. Anal stretching can be achieved with fingers and then fisting over time, or anal sex toys and tools such as fisting dildos, monster butt plugs and anal spreader devices such as tunnel plugs, 'blossoming bud' style plugs and inflatable anal plugs.
Anal Gaping:
Besides anal stretching, anal gaping is the pleasure of forcing the anus to gape. The sensation of having a gaping anus or watching your consenting partner's anus gape is extremely arousing for fans of this fetish. Unlike stretching, in which the anus returns to a tight closure, the anus remains open for a period during anal gaping. Some people also enjoy experiencing and seeing anal prolapse.
Misc
Feeders:
A feeder derives pleasure from feeding large amounts of food to their consenting partner, often with the goal of making them gain weight. Feeders may enjoy the actual process of feeding and 'fattening' their partner or in relation to a sexual attraction to heavier or fuller people.
Splashing:
Sploshing is the pleasure of using various foods and other sticky, sticky or slippery materials on and inside the body, with or without clothes on. The physical sensation of having food and liquids poured over the body and sliding around in them induces sexual arousal for fans of this fetish.
Tentacle Sex:
A sexual interest in or fascination with tentacles, whether it's watching related porn or including tentacle sex toys and the like in sex.
Nyotaimori:
Also known as 'body sushi', this is the Japanese tradition of serving sushi or sashimi on a naked woman's body. With a naked man it is called Nantaimori. The naked person is expected to lie completely still throughout the meal, and there is no conversation between the guests and the person adorned with food items.
Oculolinctus:
Also known as 'worming', this practice is licking a partner's eyes or having one's own eyes licked for the purpose of achieving sexual arousal and satisfaction. In 2013, it was reported in various newspapers that this fetish had become popular in Japan; however, other media reported that the existence of this fetish was a hoax.
Gut Flopping:
Where a person with a large belly lifts it and lets it 'fall' onto their partner, creating a smacking or clapping sound. The physical sensation, plus the visual and auditory stimulus, is sexually arousing for fans of this fetish.
