Katoptronophilia: Getting Kinky in Front of Mirrors!

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, I’m Still the Sexiest of Them All! Katoptronophilia Explained.

Katoptronophilia "is a sexual paraphilia defined as sexual pleasure and arousal from having sex in front of mirrors," according to Dr. Anil Aggrawal. This turn-on can occur by looking at yourself in the mirror or at everyone who is involved in the sexual relationship. It is essential to distinguish it from voyeurism since voyeurism involves getting excited by watching others having sexual relations. Katoptronophilia involves getting excited by seeing yourself having sexual intercourse, and it can also happen during masturbation.

Fun fact:

• Humans are not the only ones turned on by mirrors; dolphins also like them, and a study shows that dolphins' "libido goes wild" when mirrors are introduced.

Have you ever done it? Maybe you were born in the 1970s and went to a "love motel" or "player bedroom" with mirrors over the bed, which was fashionable in the USA then. Or you like to experience new things in your relationship. Whatever the reason, it's a pretty common kink, and it's not a new one. Back in the 1970s, it was influenced by hedonism and self-expression.

Have you ever heard about Hostius Quadra from the early days of the Roman Empire? Hostius installed trick mirrors in his bedroom that made things appear larger than they were, and he installed them to delight in the false size of his partner's member. A lot of people nowadays would do that, too! Another more recent example is the character of Bateman in the movie American Psycho, who prefers to look at himself in the mirror instead of at the women with whom he is having sex.

So, why do people with katoptronophilia like sex mirrors?

According to Dr. Lori Beth Bisbey:

• Visual stimulation is one of our biological turn-ons: we're literally hard-wired for it. Another reason can be to feed our inner exhibitionist.
• To feel like you're inviting someone else to the bedroom.
• To forget that you are the one performing.
• Mirror sex can also increase self-confidence, couples' intimacy, and communication.

Suppose you are interested in trying it, but you're self-conscious. In that case, Dr. Bisbey says it's good to start looking at your facial expression while having intercourse and then progressively begin to look at your body; be mindful about the lightning and the set-up, or start masturbating in front of a mirror. Remember, you can change positions, lights, and angles if you don't like what you see or don't feel comfortable; this is one of the reasons why consent from every party involved is needed, among others.

Learn more about kinks and fetishes.