I love autoerotic asphyxiation, but I don't know when to stop. Should I stop doing it for my own safety?
Yes – please stop. One thousand times yes. Autoerotic asphyxiation is a practice in which people
— mostly men, but some women — restrict oxygen to the brain and then engage in masturbation or other sexual behaviors.
Although we understand that some people engage in autoerotic asphyxiation and never have any problems with it, there is no clear-cut way to do so safely. What I mean is that I have read multiple people’s blogs and websites about this practice, including their suggestions, and they often conflict with one another. And I have never seen a doctor-recommended suggestion on how to do this safely. Because so many people have died while engaging in autoerotic asphyxiation, it’s not surprising that many of us suggest not doing it at all. This is especially true given that you said you don’t know when to stop. Not knowing when to stop is extremely dangerous.
Some people have found therapy to be a helpful way to redirect their sexual interests. That is, there have been cases where therapy has helped people find autoerotic asphyxiation less appealing and other kinds of sex — such as sex with a partner or sex play with a vibrator — more appealing. If you’d like to connect with a sex therapist, you can find one through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists or the Society for Sex Therapy and Research.
