…Researched and contributed by Enitan Thompson.
A recent article reported that choking has become as common as oral sex among under-30s, but a sex expert warns that it is not a practice that many women enjoy.
Breath play, which involves choking your partner to enhance sexual pleasure, is being promoted as a new, risqué sex trend, but it has been popularized through pornographic films.
With many young men turning to porn to learn about sex, they assume that most women enjoy choking, but this is not the case.
Some women may prefer lighter choking, but many do not enjoy it at all and may only do it to please their partners.
Consent and Safety
Sex expert Tracey Cox points out that seeking enthusiastic and ongoing consent is not practiced by everyone indulging in breath play.
In fact, of the 71% of men who choked, gagged, or spat on a partner during sex, one third did not ask if their partner wanted it.
Furthermore, many women assume it is safe, but Cox warns that choking can be super dangerous.
There is a big difference between light choking, where one partner puts one or both hands over the throat with light pressure, and more serious forms of breath play.
When oxygen is restricted to the brain, it can lead to dizziness, lightheadedness, serious injury, and even death.
The Fine Line Between Pleasure and Pain
While light choking may be relatively safe, the intense kind of breath play can be very dangerous.
Some people enjoy this kind of play as it leads to a heightened sense of pleasure, but it is not without risk.
It is easy for people to lose control during sex, and pressing too hard on the larynx can kill someone in less than a minute.
It is not surprising that many women are not keen on the idea of choking.
If you are not comfortable with it, you can make your point clear to your partner and suggest something else fun to try.
For instance, you could try tie-up games or allow your partner to bite or kiss your throat as a softer alternative.
Commentary
This article highlights the dangers of the choking trend that has become increasingly popular among young people, who may have learned about sex from pornographic films.
Many women do not enjoy this practice, and it is important to seek enthusiastic and ongoing consent from partners.
The fine line between pleasure and pain is a cause for concern, and it is easy to lose control during sex, leading to serious injury or even death.
This article suggests some safer alternatives to choking, such as tie-up games or softer forms of breath play.
It is important to remember that communication, trust, and safety are vital components of a healthy sexual relationship.