Sadomasochism
Sadomasochism, usually shortened to S&M or SM, means getting sexual pleasure from giving or receiving pain, humiliation or both. It forms part of BDSM.
A sadist enjoys giving these sensations. A masochist enjoys receiving them. Some people enjoy both roles.
Contents
Sadomasochism and BDSM
BDSM covers bondage, discipline, submission, dominance, sadism and masochism. Someone can enjoy bondage or being told what to do without liking pain. Others enjoy pain without wanting a dominant or submissive relationship.
Spanking and agreed humiliation are examples associated with S&M. How far somebody wants to go varies. Liking one thing does not mean agreeing to everything else.
Roles
A sadist is not automatically dominant, and a masochist is not automatically submissive. These words describe different interests.
Likewise, top, bottom and Vers do not tell you whether somebody enjoys S&M. Ask rather than guessing from a label.
Consent and Limits
Consensual S&M means everyone agrees to what is happening and can stop. Limits should be discussed beforehand. A safeword or agreed signal gives someone a simple way to stop the activity.
Consent can be withdrawn at any point. Being somebody's submissive does not give them permission to ignore it. A safeword also does not make a risky activity harmless.
Is It a Disorder?
An interest in consensual S&M is not, by itself, a mental disorder. Clinical definitions distinguish sexual interests from disorders involving significant distress, problems functioning or, in the case of sexual sadism, acts involving a person who has not consented.
BDSM Dating and Kink Communities
Into bondage, domination, submission or dressing up in rubber or latex? Tired of regular dating apps?
Find somewhere you can talk openly about your filthy fantasies. Select interests such as roleplay, foot fetish, leather, master/slave relationships and many other BDSM fetishes.
Whether you identify as dominant, submissive or switch, you can describe what turns you on and where your limits are. Join now to the best BDSM community
