Erotic Piercing: Be Very Careful

Not long ago, “piercing” meant one hole per earlobe and only in women. Today, both women and men get pierced, and in addition to the ear, other body parts may be pierced for erotic enhancement: the tongue, nipples, scrotum, vaginal lips, clitoral hood, and head of the penis. If you like the look and feel of erotic piercing, great, get pierced and enjoy yourself. But be very careful. Erotic piercing may cause health problems you may not appreciate.

As Old As the Mayans

Piercing chic is nothing new. The Kama Sutra, the ancient Indian sex treatise, mentions “apadravya,” which involved piercing the glans (head) of the penis and inserting a small rod capped by two balls, which purportedly enhanced intercourse. The Incas, Aztecs, and Mayans pierced the ears, nose, tongue, and nasal septum. Some African tribes pierced or cut the lips and inserted small objects to enlarge the lips and in their view, make them look more erotically alluring. Africans also pierced the scrotum, and inserted rings to hold the testicles down in the scrotum. In ancient Greece and Rome, family patriarchs pierced the foreskins of their male slaves’ penises and attached plates that prevented intercourse with the household’s women. During the reign of Louis XIV, nipple piercing became popular among French noblewomen. And among well-dressed London men during the Victorian era, pants were tight but a visible penis bulge was considered gauche. The solution: piercing the head of the penis and fitting it with a ring secured to the side of the man’s pants, known as a Prince Albert.

Erotic Enhancement?

Dozens of Internet sites tout erotic piercing for sexual enhancement. Proponents say that that pierced nipples provide marvelous erotic stimulation, that ball-topped tongue studs raise oral sex to new heights of pleasure, and that piercing makes the genitals more attractive and erotically sensitive.

Piercing extends to BDSM. Some doms have the labia of female subs pierced and fitted with earring-like hoops. Then they join the two hoops with a small padlock, a 21st century twist on the chastity devices of yore.

I pass no aesthetic or moral judgment on erotic piercing. I’m concerned about safety.

Infection

To be sure, erotic piercing can be performed safely and enjoyed with no problems. But few storefront practitioners and pro-piercing Internet sites advise sufficient precautions to prevent infections. Meanwhile, doctors and emergency rooms report a steady stream infections and other problems with piercings gone wrong. It’s bad enough to develop an infected ear lobe. It’s much worse—and potentially hazardous—to suffer piercing-related complications of the nipples, tongue, or genitals.

The most likely problem is infection at the piercing site. Practitioners instruct people with newly-pierced earlobes to apply a disinfectant solution daily for a week. That’s good advice, but the ear is actually at low risk for piercing-related infection. It’s dry, exposed to light, and not very likely to come in contact with bacteria. On the other hand, the genitals are much closer to billions of bacteria because of proximity to the anus.

Migration of intestinal bacteria from the anal area up the urethra is a prime cause of urinary tract infections. The same bacteria and other microorganisms that thrive in moist, dark environments can infect genital piercing sites and the tongue. Infection may also be caused by bacteria on poorly sterilized instruments.

Be sure to keep piercing sites clean and apply disinfectant solution daily for several weeks—or longer. Earlobe punctures usually heal in two weeks. But the nipples and genitals may take up to six months. When in doubt, keep using disinfectant solution.

Allergies

Allergies to piercing jewelry metals are quite common. Symptoms develop at the piercing site and may include: redness, irritation, itching, and the weeping of fluid (lymph) that dries and forms a crust. The most allergenic metal is nickel, which is used in a large number of alloys. To minimize risk of metal allergies, buy piercing jewelry made of titanium, surgical-grade stainless steel, or 14-carat yellow or white gold.

The Two Riskiest Areas

With all due respect to testimonials about enhanced oral sex, tongue piercing is the most medically problematic. The newly-pierced tongue swells, which can last several days. Usually this is just an inconvenience. But sometimes the tongue swells so large that it may actually interfere with breathing. If you experience any difficulty breathing, consult a physician promptly. Tongue piercing may also cause prolonged bleeding, numbness, and interference with chewing and sense of taste. The more you play with tongue jewelry, the greater the risk of infection because of risk of reopening the puncture incision. In one study of people with tongue piercings, 9 percent needed professional treatment of complications, 10 percent complained of gum injury, and 26 percent suffered chipped teeth.

Women should be very careful about piercing of the clitoris or the area behind it (“triangle piercing”), which can impair blood flow into the super-sensitive little organ and interfere with sexual function and pleasure. If you opt for clitoral piercing, pierce the clitoral hood, the area above the clitoris.

Buyer Beware

Many states do not license piercing practitioners, nor is there any generally accepted training program that includes information about proper infection control. So be careful out there. If you’re interested in erotic piercing, consider having a dermatologist do it, or ask your health care provider for a recommendation to a medically conscious practitioner.

Nipple Decoration Without Piercing

If you’d like the look and feel pierced nipples without the risks of actually having it done, sex toy catalogues offers several nipple toys:

• Nipple Rings (around $25) come closest to a pierced look. They stay on with gentle compression, and the pressure mimics the effect of piercing.

• Titilizers ($20 and up) are attractive chains with adjustable wire loops at each end. The loops fit comfortably over the nipples and the chains act as body jewelry.

• Nipple Suckers (around $20) look like the bulbs on eyedroppers. Squeeze them and the vacuum holds them on the nipples and provides gentle stimulation.

• Nipple Clamps (around $25) attach with adjustable screws often connected with decorative chains. If you’re into BDSM, the screws can be tightened for more intense sensation.

Depending on your outfit, nipple toys may be worn under clothing for secret erotic stimulation that only you—and your lover—know about.

I’d love to hear from people with erotic piercings. Has it enhanced sex? And have you experienced any problems?