What is a fetish, and what kinds are there?

“What is a fetish and what kinds are there?” was written for BDSMforyou.nl by Mistress Moriah.

A fetish is a form of sexual attraction or desire that focuses on a specific object, body part, or scenario. The term “fetish” can be interpreted broadly and encompasses a wide range of interests. These can range, for example, from fairly common preferences to more unique and specific desires. Fetishes can focus on inanimate objects (such as shoes, clothing, or certain materials like leather or latex), body parts (such as feet, hair, or certain body shapes), or specific acts (such as bondage, voyeurism, or domination and submission). The most important aspect of a fetish is that the object or situation becomes a source of sexual arousal or satisfaction for the individual.

How does a fetish develop?

Science hasn’t actually reached a consensus on this yet. There are a few theories, but there is no clear answer.

Chemical Substances

During sexual activity, certain chemicals in the brain become active that are also involved in pain perception. This phenomenon may help explain why some people develop a preference for activities that involve pain, such as (light) spanking or certain aspects of BDSM.

Intermingling in the Brain

The human brain contains specific zones that influence our sexual preferences, located near the regions responsible for managing bodily functions and emotions. When there is activity in these adjacent areas, intermingling can occur, which may trigger the development of a fetish.

As Horny as Hell

What we typically consider non-arousing can change when our arousal reaches a peak. Essentially, an intense state of arousal can lead us to find attraction in things that fall outside our normal preferences, such as feet or inflatable objects. Simply put: You’re so horny that it doesn’t matter anymore, and you get turned on by everything.

Unintended experience

The human brain is capable of linking sexual arousal to objects or situations that originally have no sexual meaning. An unintended experience of arousal, while seeing (for example) someone’s feet, can cause those feet to be associated with sexual pleasure.

Not a psychological problem

In psychology, the concept of a fetish is sometimes discussed in the context of fetishism, a condition in which a fetish is necessary for sexual arousal and satisfaction. However, having a fetish in and of itself is not considered a psychological problem, unless it leads to significant difficulties in a person’s functioning.

It is important to emphasize that sexual interests and preferences vary greatly among individuals, and what one person considers a fetish may be a normal part of another person’s sexuality.

BDSM and Fetish

A fetishist doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with BDSM, but it doesn’t rule it out either. BDSM often offers many interesting and additional play elements for fetishists. There’s a fetish for just about everything, and since every little thing likes to be called by its name, I’ve listed a few here. Do you have any additions?

Is yours not listed yet? That’s simply not possible! Don’t hesitate to share it with me. You can reach me at mrsmoriah@bdsmforyou.nl.

Different types of fetishes

A / C

Fetish

Meaning

Ablutophilia

These people are aroused by taking a bath or shower.

Acrotomophilia

These people are aroused by women with amputated limbs.

Acullofillia

Acullofillia refers to being attracted to circumcised men. Aculluphallia describes a situation in which a man must be circumcised (for example due to a tight foreskin).

Agalmatophilia

Sexual attraction to objects such as mannequins or statues.

Aksillie

These people are attracted to heavy sweat patches (especially under the armpits).

Altocalciphilia

Also known as a high heel fetish. Being aroused by high heels.

Alvinolagnia

Sexual attraction to the diaphragm or abdomen.

Alvinophilia

Sexual attraction to the navel.

Amaurophilia

These people (often men) are sexually attracted to blind or blindfolded individuals.

Apodysofilie

Another word for exhibitionism. Being aroused by exposing one's sexual body parts in a public setting.

Apotemnophilia

These people feel a strong desire to amputate a part of their own body.

Aquaphilia

Being aroused by people swimming or having sex in water.

Auto-erotic asphyxiation

Another term for breath play. The euphoric high after near suffocation or breathlessness increases pleasure for some individuals.

Ballooning

Being aroused by balloons, including the sound, inflating, deflating, and/or popping.

Capnolagnia

A fetish for smoking. This can be specific to cigars, cigarettes, or even the sensation itself.

Cheirophilia

A fetish for hands. This can focus specifically on fingers or the palm.

Claustrophilia

Being aroused by tight spaces and the idea of being confined.

Coprophagia

These people are attracted to the smell and taste of feces and may consume it.

Coprolalia

These people are sexually aroused by dirty talk, including talk about excrement.

Coulrophilia

Sexual attraction to clowns.

Crucophilia

Crucophiles find long legs attractive.

Crush fetish

Being aroused by crushing objects. This can involve objects, but may also extend to crushing insects or other animals. Human trampling can also be part of this.

D / L

Fetish

Meaning

Dacryphilia

These people are aroused by crying individuals.

Dendrophilia

These individuals have a love for trees and may even engage in sexual contact with them.

Devoteeism

A fetish for disabilities. Being sexually attracted to physical disabilities.

Emetophilia

Being aroused by vomiting or seeing someone else vomit.

Eproctophilia

A fart fetish. Being aroused by flatulence during sexual activity.

Formicophilia

Sexual arousal from crawling insects.

Forniphilia

These people are aroused by serving as human furniture, such as a side table or footstool.

Frotteurism

Being sexually aroused by rubbing one's genitals in public or against strangers.

Fur fetish

Sexual arousal from fur (such as fur coats).

Furry fetish

Slightly different from a fur fetish, as these individuals are aroused by people in animal costumes.

Gerontophilia

Sexual attraction to elderly people.

Gynostiklobomassophilia

These people are aroused by earlobes.

Hebephilia

Attraction to children aged 11 to 14 years. (Acting on this is legally punishable.)

Hematolagnia

A fetish for blood, becoming sexually aroused by blood-related play.

Hierophilia

Similar to agalmatophilia, but focused on religious imagery and rituals.

High heel fetish

Being aroused by high heels.

Hypoxyphilia

These individuals are aroused by oxygen deprivation and may experience orgasm when losing consciousness.

Katoptronophilia

Being extra sexually aroused by watching oneself in mirrors during sex.

Klysmaphilia

Being aroused by giving or receiving enemas.

Knismolagnia

Being aroused by tickling.

KPV

Abbreviation for Small Penis Humiliation.

Lactophilia

These people are aroused by the breasts of women who have recently given birth and may be attracted to sucking on the nipple.

Latex fetish

Attraction to the smell or feel of latex.

M / P

Fetish

Meaning

Macrophilia

A sexual attraction to a person who is significantly larger than oneself.

Maiesiophilia

Being aroused by a pregnant woman.

Mammophilia

These people are aroused by breasts.

Maschalagnia

Being aroused by armpits (hair and sweat).

Mechanophilia

A fetish for cars. Being aroused by sleek or streamlined vehicles.

Microphilia

A sexual attraction to a person who is significantly smaller than oneself.

Menophilia

A fetish for menstruation and a desire to have sex with menstruating women.

Microphilia

Being attracted to small people and/or small body parts.

Mucophilia

A fetish for mucus (such as snot, saliva, or coughing up mucus).

Nasophilia

Being attracted to noses.

Nasolingus

These people enjoy sucking mucus from another person’s nose.

Nebulophilia

Sexual arousal triggered by mist and/or smoke.

Necrophilia

Sexual arousal from dead bodies. (Acting on this is legally punishable.)

Oculophilia

These people feel a strong urge to look into others’ eyes.

Oculolinctus

Oral stimulation involving the eye (e.g. licking the eyeball).

Odaxelagnia

Being aroused by biting.

Odontophilia

These people are aroused by teeth.

Onychophilia

Attraction to long, polished nails.

Paraphilic Infantilism

These people are aroused by diapers. This can be through seeing or wearing them. It may be part of ABDL but does not have to be.

Parthenophilia

Sexual attraction to virgins.

Pedophilia

Sexual arousal involving prepubescent children. Pedophilia is a paraphilia and a psychiatric disorder and is legally punishable.

Plushophilia

Being aroused by plush stuffed animals.

Podophilia

These people are aroused by seeing or touching feet.

Primal fetish

Being aroused by play based on animalistic instincts.

Ptaerophilia

A fetish for sneezing.

Psellismophilia

Being aroused by people who stutter.

PVC

Being aroused by clothing made of PVC.

Pubophilia

A fetish for pubic hair.

Pygophilia

Attraction to buttocks (this may be combined with anal play, but does not have to be).

Pyrophilia

Sexual arousal derived from fire and/or setting fires.

Q / Z

Fetish

Meaning

Quasimodo fetish

These individuals are aroused by people whom others generally consider highly unattractive.

Salirophilia

Being aroused by dirty things, such as being smeared with urine or feces.

Scoptophilia

These people enjoy watching others have sex (often people they know).

Sitophilia

These people enjoy consuming food and/or incorporating food into sexual play.

Somnophilia

Sexual attraction to someone who is unconscious (since consent cannot be given in such a state, acting on this is considered assault or rape and is legally punishable).

Spectrophilia

Being aroused by sexual encounters with a ghost.

Stigmatophilia

Being aroused by piercings or tattoos.

Symphorophilia

A fetish involving disasters.

Taphephilia

Being aroused by the thought of being buried alive.

Trichophilia

Attraction to abundant body hair.

Undinism

These people enjoy sex in water.

Urolagnia

These people enjoy urinating on others or being urinated on.

Vorarephilia

Another term related to cannibalism. Acting on this fetish is, of course, illegal and punishable by law.

Voyeurism

Sexual arousal from watching others (naked or sexually active).

Xanthippia

These people are aroused by blonde women.

Zoophilia

Sexual attraction to non-human animals.

What are the 5 most common fetishes?

The most common fetishes can vary, but there are some fetishes that are frequently discussed in both academic studies and the media. Here are five of the most common fetishes:

1. Foot fetish

This is likely one of the most well-known and widespread fetishes. It involves a sexual focus on feet, toes, and sometimes the wearing of certain types of footwear (such as high heels). People with a foot fetish may be particularly attracted to aspects such as the shape of the foot, the toes, the sole, the wearing of certain types of shoes, or acts such as foot massage or touching.

2. Leather fetish

Leather is a material often associated with sexual attraction. This can include wearing leather garments, such as pants, dresses, or accessories (such as belts and harnesses).

3. Lingerie fetish

An attraction to lingerie and other types of sensual clothing. This can range, for example, from stockings and corsets to babydolls and panties. The visual aspect and the feel of the fabrics (such as silk and lace) often play a role in the attraction.

4. Rubber or latex fetish

This involves an attraction to garments made of rubber, latex, or similar materials. The tight fit and shiny appearance of these materials can be sexually arousing for some people. Wearing these materials or seeing others wear them can be part of the fetish.

5. Hair fetish (Trichophilia)

This is a fetish in which people have a sexual fascination with hair, including head hair, body hair, facial hair, or pubic hair. The attraction may, for example, focus on the length, color, type (curly, straight, etc.), or even the act of cutting, brushing, or touching the hair. For some, the focus may be on specific actions involving hair, such as watching someone get their hair cut or feeling hair against their skin.

Conclusion

There are, therefore, many different types of fetishes, and it is nearly impossible to list them all here. As long as the fetish does not negatively impact your life, is not illegal, and is consensual with your (play) partner, fetishes are a normal part of human sexuality. If that is the case, there is nothing wrong with having a fetish.

In conclusion: be proud of who you are!

Mistress Moriah

Source

Text: Mistress Moriah
Image: 123rf.com