Blood fetishism

Blood fetishism (or Hematolagnia) is a context used to describe the sexual interest or paraphillia for blood as defined by Renfield's syndrome, or as a sexual interest for blood within BDSM or Vampire lifestyles(not always). Within the BDSM lifestyle the acts of using blood for sexual arousal are known as bloodsports or bloodplay which in themselves are considered a form of edgeplay due to the risks involved such as the spread of blood borne diseases. The use of menstrual blood as a means to sexual arousal may also be considered a form of blood fetishism and may be known as Red wings.

Blood fetishism is also an anthropological term used to describe the belief within a society or culture that blood in itself (as a material substance) possesses powerful and magical properties.

References

• Patrick Califia: "Shiny Sharp Things", in Speaking Sex to Power (Cleis Press, 2002). ISBN 1573441325