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Topics: Sex and Relationships, Life, Women's Health, Health, Advice, Food and Drink, Explained
Rhiannon Ingle
Topics: Sex and Relationships, Life, Women's Health, Health, Advice, Food and Drink, Explained
Another day, another sex craze taking the internet by storm.
We're all different when it comes to what we like in the bedroom, from green and 'warm sex' to shallowing and 'hamerstering', there's a lot to explore.
However, it's clear that sitophilia is having a bit of a moment, with a whole load of people very into incorporating food into their sex lives.
Now, according to the Sexual Health Alliance, sitophilia refers to a desire to fulfil sexual fantasies that hinge largely upon eating and drinking, with examples including your partner licking whipped cream off your nipples or possibly slathering your boyfriend's chest in chocolate sauce before, well, licking it off.
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And while this is a great way to spice things up between the sheets, it's important to practise safe play, as getting food somewhere you really don't want it to be can lead to some pretty unpleasant health problems.
"Food and foreplay are very sensual, and there are totally safe ways to go about this to have an enjoyable experience," ob-gyn Alyssa Dweck, M.D., coauthor of V is for Vagina, explains to Women's Health.
While food play may start off around the chest, neck and stomach area, things may soon quickly progress down south.
But you need to be very careful about what goes in and around your vagina, Dweck warns.
"We had a story where a girl came into the ER because her partner tried to put aerosolised whipped cream up the vagina - big trouble with that," she shared.
The expert went on to advise against putting any foods inside the vagina altogether - you never know what could end up getting stuck up there!
Anyone curious to try out sitophilia should also be careful about what comes into contact with the vulva.
Due to the skin in this area being more delicate, it's important to avoid anything that could be potentially irritating, clinical sexologist Kat Van Kirk, PhD, adds.
One doctor-approved option for use around the vulva is coconut oil, with Dweck noting that swapping standard lube for this kitchen staple can be both safe and pleasant.
However, it's important to note that it is not suitable if you rely on latex condoms for protection against STDs or pregnancy, as oil can weaken them and raise the risk of breakage.
Other oils, including baby oil, are best avoided, too, since they can increase the chance of yeast infections.
As we say, plenty of foods are fine for surface-level play.
A bit of whipped cream, fruit or ice cubes is harmless fun, but when it comes to anything in or directly around the vagina or vulva, it's wiser to stick with properly designed sex toys instead.