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A blood fetish is the sexual fetish for blood (also known as vampire fetish, hematolagnia and haematophilia), and is an anthropological term used to describe the belief within a society or culture that blood in itself (as a material substance) possesses powerful and magical properties.^[1]

Blood fetishists may simply be aroused by the sight of blood, aroused by blood on nude or semi-nude individuals, or in some cases gain sexual pleasure by witnessing various degrees of accidental or intentional cuts or wounding, or blood donating.^{[citation needed]}Blood fetishism may be accompanied by some licking or drinking blood through bloodletting with a razor blade, or by biting (referred to as "love-bites" though they are technically not) however the potential for damage from bruising or infection may be a deterrent to the practise. Blood fetishism may also be considered an expression of intimacy or bonding.

There is a notable community centered around the fetish^{[citation needed]}, however it is mostly "underground" due to its controversial nature.^{[citation needed]} It may be linked with a vampire subculture, however some blood fetishists do not consider themselves "vampires"^{[citation needed]}, though some may have a vampire fetish - blood fetishism has a history of being referred to as "vampirism" in psychiatric literature and articles.^{[citation needed]}

Bloodsports or bloodplay are general terms used for any sexual or BDSM play involving blood. It is considered edgeplay due to its nature of being able to easily spread blood borne diseases. It is also possible, although rare, for the careless to cut the person too deeply and cause them to bleed excessively.

Menstrual fetish (also referred to as Red Wings), is a related fetish which focuses on menstruating women, either having their periods without blocking the flow of blood, or even focusing on used tampons. Some enjoy performing cunnilingus on their menstruating partners. The same can be said for the female; the genital area is often more arousable during menstruation and orgasms can be more intense.^{[citation needed]}

• BDSM
• Vampire fetish
• Dracula

• Patrick Califia: "Shiny Sharp Things", in Speaking Sex to Power (Cleis Press, 2002). ISBN 1573441325