Paraphilias are a set of atypical sexual behaviors that involve strong sexual arousal through various objects, situations or practices. Although there are numerous paraphilias, some are more common than others. In this article, we are going to explore the 15 most common paraphilias and their main characteristics.
1. Exhibitionism
Exhibitionism is a paraphilia in which the person obtains pleasure by exposing their genitals to strangers without their consent. This act is intended to cause surprise or discomfort in the victim, which increases the arousal of the exhibitionist individual.
Characteristics:
- Arousal when exposing his genitals.
- The majority of exhibitionists are men.
- There may be a component of risk or excitement due to possible punishment.
2. Fetishism
Fetishism involves sexual arousal towards inanimate objects, such as clothing, shoes, or any other specific object. The presence or use of the fetish is essential to achieve sexual arousal.
Characteristics:
- Need to have the object present to become sexually aroused.
- The fetish can be any object, from underwear to certain materials.
- The fetishized object can vary depending on the person.
3. Sadomasochism
Sadomasochism involves obtaining sexual pleasure through pain or humiliation, whether inflicted or received. This paraphilia often involves dominant and submissive roles between participants.
Characteristics:
- Enjoyment of physical or emotional pain in sexual contexts.
- Participants They can assume dominant (sadistic) or submissive (masochistic) roles.
- Consent and limits are fundamental in sadomasochistic practices.
4. Voyeurism
Voyeurism consists of obtaining sexual pleasure by observing other people, usually without their consent, while they are naked or engaged in intimate activities. Voyeurism can be carried out in person or through the observation of audiovisual material.
Characteristics:
- Excitement when observing other people without them knowing.
- It can involve the invasion of the privacy of others.
- Consent is crucial to differentiate pathological voyeurism from consensual sexual behavior.
5 . Sexual masochism
Sexual masochism involves sexual arousal by experiencing pain, humiliation, or dominance during a sexual encounter. Unlike the consensual practice of sadomasochism, pathological sexual masochism can cause physical or psychological harm.
Characteristics:
- Sexual pleasure associated with pain, humiliation or domination.
- There is a key difference between consensual and pathological masochism.
- There may be a need to seek out dangerous or extreme situations to obtain sexual arousal.
6. Coprophilia
Coprophilia is a paraphilia that involves sexual arousal through feces or fecal activity. People with coprophilia may experience pleasure from observing, smelling, or even ingesting feces.
Characteristics:
- Sexual arousal related to feces or fecal activity.
- There may be a component of abuse of power or degradation in the practice of coprophilia.
- It is important to differentiate between sexual preference for feces and a disorder related to the ingestion of excrement (coprophagy).
7. Urophilia
Urophilia is a paraphilia that involves sexual arousal through urine or urinary activity. People with urophilia may experience pleasure from observing, touching, or even ingesting urine.
Characteristics:
- Sexual arousal related to urine or urinary activity.
- It may involve the exchange of bodily fluids as a sexualizing act.
- It is essential to practice urophilia in a safe and consensual manner, respecting the physical and emotional integrity of all those involved.
8. Zoophilia
Zoophilia is a paraphilia that involves sexual attraction to non-human animals. People with zoophilia may experience sexual arousal when maintaining intimate relationships with animals.
Characteristics:
- Sexual attraction to non-human animals.
- Zoophilia It can involve animal abuse and be illegal in many jurisdictions.
- It is essential to respect the integrity of animals and look for healthy ways to channel sexuality.
9. Nymphomania and Satyriasis
Nymphomania in women and satyriasis in men are outdated terms that were used to describe an excessive and uncontrollable sexual libido. Both terms have been replaced by the broader concept of hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
Characteristics:
- Excessive and uncontrollable sexual libido.
- Common seeking sexual gratification without considering possible negative consequences.
- Treatment may involve psychological therapy and, in some cases, medication.
10. Frotteurism
Frotteurism is a paraphilia in which the person obtains sexual pleasure by rubbing their genitals against a person without their consent, in public and crowded places where physical contact is common.
Characteristics:
- Sexual arousal by rubbing the genitals against a person without their consent.
- The act of frotteurism can be carried out in public spaces such as buses, trains or crowded places .
- It is important to respect the limits and privacy of others to prevent inappropriate behavior.
11. Partialism
Partialism is a paraphilia that involves sexual arousal towards a specific part of the body, such as the feet, hands, breasts, etc. The person may feel an intense attraction toward that particular part of the body.
Characteristics:
- Sexual arousal focused on a specific part of the body.
- Bias can be linked to early experiences or specific conditioning.
- It is important to communicate sexual desires and preferences in a consensual and respectful manner.
12. Smearing
Smearing is a paraphilia in which the person obtains pleasure by rubbing their genitals against a person's body without their consent in crowded places. Smearing is often carried out surreptitiously and without the victim's knowledge.
Characteristics:
- Sexual arousal by rubbing the genitals against the victim's body. another person without their consent.
- Smearing usually occurs in public and crowded places to facilitate physical contact.
- Respect for privacy and personal boundaries is essential to prevent smearing non-consensual.
13. Acrotomophilia
Acrotomophilia is a paraphilia that involves sexual arousal toward people who are amputees or have missing limbs. Some people with acrotomophilia may experience exclusive attraction to individuals with amputations.
Characteristics:
- Sexual arousal toward people with amputations or missing limbs.
- The Interest in acrotomophilia may be related to the perception of vulnerability or bodily eccentricity.
- It is essential to respect the dignity and individuality of people with disabilities in all interactions.
14. Agalmatophilia
Agalmatophilia is a paraphilia that involves sexual arousal towards statues, dolls, mannequins or other inanimate figures. People with agalmatophilia may experience sexual pleasure when interacting with statues or figures that represent human bodies.
Characteristics:
- Sexual arousal towards inanimate objects that represent human bodies.
- Interest in agalmatophilia may be linked to the idealization of physical perfection or the absence of emotional interaction in sexual relationships.
- It is important to differentiate between healthy sexual fantasies and behaviors that can harm personal integrity or that of others.
15. Pedophilia
Pedophilia is a paraphilia in which an adult experiences sexual attraction to prepubescent children. It is important to highlight that pedophilia is a serious and criminal psychiatric disorder, since it involves sexual abuse of minors.
Characteristics:
- Sexual attraction to prepubescent children.
- Pedophilia is considered a psychiatric disorder and a crime in most societies.
- It is essential to protect children and report any pedophilic behavior to the competent authorities.
In conclusion, paraphilias are atypical manifestations of sexuality that can have a significant impact on the lives of people who experience them, as well as on people who may be affected by them. It is crucial to understand that most paraphilias are not illegal per se, but their practice must be based on mutual consent and do not involve physical, emotional or psychological harm to any of the parties involved.