Hematolagnia is a seldom-used umbrella term for blood fetishism. More often, kinks involving blood are referred to as blood sports or blood play.
For many of you, blood kinks are a no-go zone, and for good reason. Blood play can be dangerous, and lots of people have an innate aversion to blood. It’s not uncommon for people to faint if they see blood. Even for those who aren’t squeamish, few of them are sexually excited by the stuff.
What Makes a Blood Fetish Exciting?
Blood is profoundly symbolic, often seen as representing life itself.
For some folks, sex is a transcendent, sacred experience and blood has deeply ritualistic qualities. The mythology of blood as something that connects us to the immortal is widespread through cultures, religions, and folklore. Think of Catholicism, or of vampires. Blood is also frequently a taboo kink, and taboos can be powerfully sexually exciting.
Various forms of blood play are often a subset of other kinks or fetishes. It can be an element of BDSM play, or sadomasochism, for example, and the risk factor makes it naturally a form of edgeplay. It can be an important part of gothic cosplay rituals or vampirism, but not the only aspect.
Blood fetish can be part of the thrill for those into some seriously dark stuff, too, like necrophilia or snuff kinks. It can be part and parcel, but not a motivating factor itself, in pain and torture kinks. It can be part of knife play or cutting kinks.
How Common is Blood Play?
It is likely that a wider number of people are erotically aroused by blood than participate in blood kinks. This is because lots of people keep their fantasies private and many separate fantasy from reality.
In other words, blood might excite someone who never participates in blood play. All of us perform risk assessment when we choose our sexual practices or connections. Some people might be game to give their blood kink a go, but not with just anyone. If they don’t meet the right match, they may not bother.
For others, the idea of blood can be arousing but it is one excitement factor of many, and they don’t prioritize the experience because it is too risky.
Blood Play Safety Issues
It’s important to know the risks of indulging a blood fetish, whether you choose to play or stick to fantasizing.
It’s easy to get sick from blood. You can get any of the sexually transmitted diseases, and the risk of AIDS is higher from blood contact than any other bodily fluids. But you can also get all kinds of bloodborne diseases. Hepatitis is very serious and very common, and is easily transmitted by blood.
It is also easy to get sick from punctures and other kinds of wounds if you are on the receiving end of sharp instruments during blood play. Any site of entry can be a portal for various infections.
Consuming blood by mouth can be dangerous as well. What is essential to life is actually toxic in your stomach. A symbolic amount of disease-free blood might be just fine, but drinking blood can cause a dangerous iron overload called haemochromatosis, which can cause organ failure.
3 Types of Blood Kinks
Vampire Fetish
Drinking blood is a very specific kink. It does not appeal to everyone who is into blood! Nor are all folks turned on by the idea or reality of drinking blood in vampire mythology, costumes, or role play.
That said, many folks who enjoy vampire play, or even drinking blood, or who think they are vampires, do not get a sexual kick out of the deal. Some believe they are taking in life energy or nourishment and the thrill is not sexual.
Even so, vampire mythology is very erotic. The idea of consuming or being consumed is not just for vampires! The penetration by fangs, the total domination or submission, the sexy corsets and capes—vampire play can be fun for anyone. But for those turned on by drinking blood or by the idea of it, it is very serious stuff indeed. In fact, many are convinced they really are vampires and require blood—it is not a game to them.
The literature on blood drinkers dates back several centuries. Psychiatrists call clinical vampirism Renfield Syndrome, after a character in Dracula.
Read: My Lover Has a Vampire Fetish
Knife Play and Cutting
The act of cutting one’s own body can provide intense psychological and physical relief. For some, the relief can feel sexual. For others, it is the edge of danger and the idea of the thin blade and the penetration. Many who are into knife play or cutting may see blood as a reward, and find blood erotic. For others, both the cutting aspect and the blood are simply part of domination or submission.
This is a kind of edgeplay that is very extreme. Consider fantasy instead, and educate yourself on sterilizing skin and blades. Make sure you trust your partner.
If you’d like to try knife play, read Knife Play Basics for BDSM Lovers.
Menophilia
The menstruation fetish is a kind of blood kink, but most menophiles (some call themselves “blood hounds”) don’t get off on blood in general, and oddly, many who love blood aren’t interested in menstrual blood or period sex.
Most of us enjoy sex during menstruation at least on occasion or with certain partners, without having an actual blood kink. Menophiles revel in the blood itself and in the idea of a woman menstruating.
Read: Menophilia: The Period Blood Fetish
Play It Safe with Roleplay
It is hypothetically possible for blood play to be safe. If you and your partner are 100% healthy, and no infections or mistakes occur, like cutting an artery, it might be fine. Menstrual sex with a healthy partner can be safe. A lick or sip of blood might not be harmful.
The safest blood fetish play is make believe. You can role play a vampire, use fake knives and razors, or simulate blood with nontoxic supplies.
Do you practice any type of blood play or have a blood fetish? Please share in the comments.
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