Five fetishes that are more common than you may think

Updated
Top 10 Common Fetishes
Top 10 Common Fetishes


Everyone has their "thing" when it comes to sex, but true fetishists are so intensely focused on an inanimate object (like a shoe), scenario (such as a medical setting), or a body part (like feet), that it becomes essential to their sexual arousal.

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There are lots of weird fetishes - from "furries" who dress up in animal costumes to "looners" who get a thrill from balloons – but plenty of others are more common than you may think.

1. Feet and shoes
Feet are the body parts most likely to be lusted after by fetishists, according to researchers at the University of Bologna. After downloading data from hundreds of online fetish discussion groups, they found that feet are the most popular non-sexual part of the body.

The majority of foot fetishists, most of whom are men, find every detail of the foot and toes a turn-on. Many like to smell, lick or taste the feet and require some interaction with some part of their partner's foot in order to experience orgasm. Unsurprisingly, sexy shoes were found to be one of the most lusted-after objects amongst fetishists.

2. Gloves
After shoes, the most prevalent fetish objects are gloves according to empirical research by Gosselin and Wilson. In some cases, the fetish is enhanced by the material of the glove – such as leather, latex or satin – while seeing them being slipped on or off and the actions of a gloved hand are as arousing as the glove itself. Latex medical gloves are particularly appealing to those who enjoy medical sex play.

3. Medical
Playing doctors and nurses takes on a whole new meaning for medical fetishists. Aroused by objects, procedures and situations of a medical nature, such fetishists like to role play with their partners assuming the role of patient, or a doctor, nurse or surgeon.

There are many medical devices available to act out intimate procedures, such as anal proctoscopes and steel vaginal speculums. And for those who enjoy sensory play, there's the Wartenberg wheel – a medical device rolled systematically across the skin to test nerve reactions - but used by bondage lovers to excite psychological and physical pain.

4. Rubber
"Rubberists" have a fetish for rubber, latex or PVC – and just the smell or feel of the material is enough to get them started (fetish garments are usually impregnated with chemicals to enhance the odour.) While most fetishists enjoy wearing, or seeing their partner wearing tight, shiny material, others develop a sexual focus on the garments themselves.

It's not just rubber dresses and skirts and kinky latex underwear, other rubber objects, such as fetish rubber gas masks and plastic pants and nappies can also be part of the fun.

5. Water sports
Urolagnia - the act of being aroused by urine - is more common known as "water sports". These fetishists can be aroused by wetting themselves or watching another person wet themselves while fully clothed, or watching someone urinate or being urinated on – commonly known as a "golden shower".

Some experts believe the fetish relates to complex experiences in childhood, while urinating on/being urinated on is arousing due to the sense of control/humiliation.

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