Chastity cage
Encyclopedia
Chastity belts in modern times are sometimes used in BDSM
play. Designs are available for both men and women. They are intended to prevent sexual intercourse
. Some designs are encompassing enough to prevent masturbation
.
s in BDSM
are a means for the wearer to surrender control over their sexual behavior by providing a physical barrier that deters sexual intercourse
and possibly masturbation
. The device is usually worn by the submissive in the relationship, as a way of providing control to the dominant (often referred to as the "keyholder" in this context). This is a part of the wider practice of orgasm denial.
The erotic fantasy associated with chastity belts to give full control of the submissive's sex life to the dominant, so that they may decide when, how, and how often the submissive is allowed sexual release. Some claim it increases submissiveness in men.
It has often been reported that when worn, the chastity belt frequently evokes sexual frustration
in the wearer. The constant intimate physical sensation of the belt upon the wearer's body reminds them that they are forbidden sexual pleasure.
Male wearers sometimes reported feelings of femininity or virtual castration that contribute to their fantasy experiences when wearing Florentine-style belts.
Most modern belt designs cannot prevent wearers from physically touching their genitals. In the case of male wearers, most designs cannot prevent wearers from freeing their genitals from captivity for masturbation. Effective masturbation prevention requires design features that incorporate genital piercings or full tight encapsulation of the genital area.
On belts intended for long-term wear, this shield must accommodate the wearer's hygienic needs:
Most modern belts fasten with padlock
s. Some high-security designs nest the lock within a shroud to make it more difficult to attack with bolt cutters
. A handful of manufacturers, however, do offer higher-priced models with integral locks for a sleeker profile.
Metal belts intended for long term wear should be made out of medical grade stainless steel (316L or 304) or titanium to reduce risk of metal allergies and metal toxicity.
. Chastity cages are almost exclusively used as a sex aid and in BDSM
play.
Most chastity cages have two parts: a ring seated around the base of the penis behind the scrotum and a capped tube, into which the flaccid penis is inserted. The tube is perforated to allow fluids to drain easily. Some designs have a curved or angled tube to make erections uncomfortable. The two parts mate together on hinges or pins and are secured, usually with a padlock. When the device is locked, the testicles are trapped in the gap between the penis tube and the ring that is narrow enough to prevent the testicles, and therefore the penis, from being pulled out. Chastity cages are sometimes referred to as "ball trap devices" for this reason.
Chastity cages can be manufactured out of plastic or silicone which greatly reduces their cost and weight compared to stainless steel versions.
When combined with tamper-evident plastic seals, plastic chastity cages permit easier access through airport security or other security restricted areas that require passage through metal detectors.
or ball crusher are frequently combined with chastity cages. These tools allow negative punishment to be applied as an additional training method in addition to the removal of pleasure. One product, the DreamLover 2000, offers a small profile, remote electric shock, and many additional features that are designed to appeal to chastity wearers. These products have been shown to significantly improve obedience of the wearer. These tools are much easier to accommodate on cage designs (vs. belts) due to the chastity cage’s much smaller mass.
Penile strangulation as a result of not being able to remove a device placed around the penis (not necessarily a chastity belt) has occurred in a wide spectrum of age groups, so care must be taken to avoid constriction with a chastity belt.
In 2008, an incident was reported of a man having to be cut free from a titanium chastity device after losing the keys, due to pressure on the genitals.
There are also safety issues regarding long-term chastity. See long-term sexual denial.
As with Florentine-type belts, metal chastity cages intended for long term wear should be made out of medical grade stainless steel (316L or 304) or titanium to reduce risk of metal allergies and metal toxicity.
Some chastity cage designs incorporate urethral sounds
. Care must be taken to 1) select devices with sounds that lack sharp edges and points to avoid injury to the urethra, 2) select devices that are made of appropriate non-corrosive, non-toxic materials such as medical grade stainless steel, and 3) only use devices that are thoroughly sanitized before use to reduce risk of urinary tract infection and other medical problems.
Human anatomy varies very widely from person to person and steel belts intended for long-term use are bespoke
(custom-made) items. The manufacture of such belts, being quite a specific niche, is necessarily a cottage industry. Many firms have come and gone over the years.
In 1969, Time Magazine and various newspapers in 1978 ran stories about David Renwick, a British chastity belt maker who claimed to have a thriving business making belts for a worldwide clientele.
In 1971, the Hugessen firm of Halstead, Essex that made chastity belts, applied for tax exempt status on the basis that their products were birth control devices. In 1974, a story was widely published in magazines and newspapers about the firm's bankruptcy
Notable amongst those who have stopped manufacturing chastity belts since the 1980s are:
A.L. Enterprises, that sells the CB series of chastity cages, was started by Doris and Frank Miller in the late 90s, and claims to own 71% of the market.
Although no reliable statistics are available on the use of chastity belts, anecdotal reports from manufacturers suggest that most belts sold in Europe and the US are for men, and that of the female belts ordered, relatively few are used as rape prevention devices.
. Esar Levine's 1931 Chastity Belts: An Illustrated History of the Bridling of Women compiled erotica of women in chastity belts, with commentary.
BDSM
BDSM is an erotic preference and a form of sexual expression involving the consensual use of restraint, intense sensory stimulation, and fantasy power role-play. The compound acronym BDSM is derived from the terms bondage and discipline , dominance and submission , and sadism and masochism...
play. Designs are available for both men and women. They are intended to prevent sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse, also known as copulation or coitus, commonly refers to the act in which a male's penis enters a female's vagina for the purposes of sexual pleasure or reproduction. The entities may be of opposite sexes, or they may be hermaphroditic, as is the case with snails...
. Some designs are encompassing enough to prevent masturbation
Masturbation
Masturbation refers to sexual stimulation of a person's own genitals, usually to the point of orgasm. The stimulation can be performed manually, by use of objects or tools, or by some combination of these methods. Masturbation is a common form of autoeroticism...
.
Purpose
Chastity beltChastity belt
A chastity belt is a locking item of clothing designed to prevent sexual intercourse. They may be used to protect the wearer from rape or temptation. Some devices have been designed with additional features to prevent masturbation...
s in BDSM
BDSM
BDSM is an erotic preference and a form of sexual expression involving the consensual use of restraint, intense sensory stimulation, and fantasy power role-play. The compound acronym BDSM is derived from the terms bondage and discipline , dominance and submission , and sadism and masochism...
are a means for the wearer to surrender control over their sexual behavior by providing a physical barrier that deters sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse, also known as copulation or coitus, commonly refers to the act in which a male's penis enters a female's vagina for the purposes of sexual pleasure or reproduction. The entities may be of opposite sexes, or they may be hermaphroditic, as is the case with snails...
and possibly masturbation
Masturbation
Masturbation refers to sexual stimulation of a person's own genitals, usually to the point of orgasm. The stimulation can be performed manually, by use of objects or tools, or by some combination of these methods. Masturbation is a common form of autoeroticism...
. The device is usually worn by the submissive in the relationship, as a way of providing control to the dominant (often referred to as the "keyholder" in this context). This is a part of the wider practice of orgasm denial.
The erotic fantasy associated with chastity belts to give full control of the submissive's sex life to the dominant, so that they may decide when, how, and how often the submissive is allowed sexual release. Some claim it increases submissiveness in men.
It has often been reported that when worn, the chastity belt frequently evokes sexual frustration
Sexual frustration
Sexual frustration describes the condition in which a human or animal is in a state of agitation, depression, stress, loneliness or anxiety due to prolonged virginity, sexual inactivity and/or sexual dissatisfaction that leads him or her to want more sex or better sex, or a state in which he or she...
in the wearer. The constant intimate physical sensation of the belt upon the wearer's body reminds them that they are forbidden sexual pleasure.
Male wearers sometimes reported feelings of femininity or virtual castration that contribute to their fantasy experiences when wearing Florentine-style belts.
Most modern belt designs cannot prevent wearers from physically touching their genitals. In the case of male wearers, most designs cannot prevent wearers from freeing their genitals from captivity for masturbation. Effective masturbation prevention requires design features that incorporate genital piercings or full tight encapsulation of the genital area.
Belt designs
Modern chastity belt designs generally follow the basic "Florentine" pattern (named after the Bellifortis reference), with a band around the waist or hips and a "shield" running between the legs to cover the genitals. Modern belts usually are made with features and accessories to accommodate BDSM fantasy and play.On belts intended for long-term wear, this shield must accommodate the wearer's hygienic needs:
- For females, the shield is commonly a flat band with a slot through which the labia can protrude and through which urine can pass. Nominally, this slot is for the labia to breathe, but in practice and design the slot is used for forcibly holding a dildoDildoA dildo is a sex toy, often explicitly phallic in appearance, intended for bodily penetration during masturbation or sex with partners.- Description and uses :...
inside the wearer's vaginaVaginaThe vagina is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. Female insects and other invertebrates also have a vagina, which is the terminal part of the...
. Some manufacturers fit a perforated cover (sometimes called the "secondary shield") over this slot to prevent the wearer from being pinched when sitting. The cover may also prevent direct masturbation by blocking the labia from touch. - For males, the shield usually covers a tube in which the penis is held facing downward, with perforations at the bottom of the shield to allow urine to escape. Sometimes there are mechanisms that hold the head of the penis inside the tube. The testicles are usually left exposed on both sides of the tube, although some designs have an additional cup that prevents easy access to the entire genital area.
- Belts with a "thong" arrangement have a single strap running up between the buttocks to the waistband. On some, this is a plastic-coated cable or a thin, curved metal rod. Sometimes, an opening is present in the thong to allow defecation.
- Belts with a "V"-arrangement have a pair of chains or cables attached together at the bottom of the shield and apart towards the back of waistband in a "V" to leave the rear open.
- On both male and female belts, the shield can be designed to work with genital piercings for greater security.
- Anal shields, to forcibly retain butt plugs inside the wearer, are a common accessory for modern chastity belts.
Most modern belts fasten with padlock
Padlock
Padlocks are portable locks used to protect against theft, vandalism, sabotage, unauthorized use, and harm. They are designed to protect against some degree of forced and surreptitious entry.- History :...
s. Some high-security designs nest the lock within a shroud to make it more difficult to attack with bolt cutters
Bolt cutters
A bolt cutter, sometimes called bolt cropper, is a tool used for cutting chains, padlocks, bolts and wire mesh. The original use for bolt cutters was as the name suggests to cut bolt seals from shipping containers at the delivery point. It typically has long handles and short blades, with compound...
. A handful of manufacturers, however, do offer higher-priced models with integral locks for a sleeker profile.
Metal belts intended for long term wear should be made out of medical grade stainless steel (316L or 304) or titanium to reduce risk of metal allergies and metal toxicity.
Cage designs
A chastity cage, also referred to as a chastity belt, is a device which encloses the male genitals to prevent stimulation and erectionErection
Penile erection is a physiological phenomenon where the penis becomes enlarged and firm. Penile erection is the result of a complex interaction of psychological, neural, vascular and endocrine factors, and is usually, though not exclusively, associated with sexual arousal...
. Chastity cages are almost exclusively used as a sex aid and in BDSM
BDSM
BDSM is an erotic preference and a form of sexual expression involving the consensual use of restraint, intense sensory stimulation, and fantasy power role-play. The compound acronym BDSM is derived from the terms bondage and discipline , dominance and submission , and sadism and masochism...
play.
Most chastity cages have two parts: a ring seated around the base of the penis behind the scrotum and a capped tube, into which the flaccid penis is inserted. The tube is perforated to allow fluids to drain easily. Some designs have a curved or angled tube to make erections uncomfortable. The two parts mate together on hinges or pins and are secured, usually with a padlock. When the device is locked, the testicles are trapped in the gap between the penis tube and the ring that is narrow enough to prevent the testicles, and therefore the penis, from being pulled out. Chastity cages are sometimes referred to as "ball trap devices" for this reason.
Chastity cages can be manufactured out of plastic or silicone which greatly reduces their cost and weight compared to stainless steel versions.
When combined with tamper-evident plastic seals, plastic chastity cages permit easier access through airport security or other security restricted areas that require passage through metal detectors.
Related Items
Items like a shock collarShock collar
The term shock collar is a term used in order to describe a family of training collars that deliver shocks of varying intensity and duration to the neck of a dog via a radio controlled electronic device...
or ball crusher are frequently combined with chastity cages. These tools allow negative punishment to be applied as an additional training method in addition to the removal of pleasure. One product, the DreamLover 2000, offers a small profile, remote electric shock, and many additional features that are designed to appeal to chastity wearers. These products have been shown to significantly improve obedience of the wearer. These tools are much easier to accommodate on cage designs (vs. belts) due to the chastity cage’s much smaller mass.
Safety
The male genitalia is a delicate structure. A chastity cage must be properly sized, fitted and adjusted in order to be secure and not damage the genitals. Ring size and spacing are the two most important adjustments that can be made. A ring that is too tight will cut off blood flow while one that is too loose will not be secure.Penile strangulation as a result of not being able to remove a device placed around the penis (not necessarily a chastity belt) has occurred in a wide spectrum of age groups, so care must be taken to avoid constriction with a chastity belt.
In 2008, an incident was reported of a man having to be cut free from a titanium chastity device after losing the keys, due to pressure on the genitals.
There are also safety issues regarding long-term chastity. See long-term sexual denial.
As with Florentine-type belts, metal chastity cages intended for long term wear should be made out of medical grade stainless steel (316L or 304) or titanium to reduce risk of metal allergies and metal toxicity.
Some chastity cage designs incorporate urethral sounds
Urethral sounding
Sounding or urethral sounding is the medical use of probes called sounds to increase the inner diameter of the urethra and to locate obstructions in it...
. Care must be taken to 1) select devices with sounds that lack sharp edges and points to avoid injury to the urethra, 2) select devices that are made of appropriate non-corrosive, non-toxic materials such as medical grade stainless steel, and 3) only use devices that are thoroughly sanitized before use to reduce risk of urinary tract infection and other medical problems.
Manufacture
Most modern chastity belt designs are descended from Hal Higginbottom's designs from 1956. Sometimes modern Florentine-style belts are described as "Tollyboy-style" or "Tollyboy-type" belts as references to his company's original design.Human anatomy varies very widely from person to person and steel belts intended for long-term use are bespoke
Bespoke
Bespoke is a term employed in a variety of applications to mean an item custom-made to the buyer's specification...
(custom-made) items. The manufacture of such belts, being quite a specific niche, is necessarily a cottage industry. Many firms have come and gone over the years.
In 1969, Time Magazine and various newspapers in 1978 ran stories about David Renwick, a British chastity belt maker who claimed to have a thriving business making belts for a worldwide clientele.
In 1971, the Hugessen firm of Halstead, Essex that made chastity belts, applied for tax exempt status on the basis that their products were birth control devices. In 1974, a story was widely published in magazines and newspapers about the firm's bankruptcy
Notable amongst those who have stopped manufacturing chastity belts since the 1980s are:
- Access Denied (Paul Tooker of New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
; closed after his death) - Herbert Rossmann (AustriaAustriaAustria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
) - In Discretione Fortitudo (Nifrik Scylla of the Netherlands)
- Kastley (GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
) (reseller; original manufacturer unknown) - Pourquoi Pas (Germany)
- Atelier Mode (Cologne, Germany)
- Reinholds (Germany, resin composite material belts)
A.L. Enterprises, that sells the CB series of chastity cages, was started by Doris and Frank Miller in the late 90s, and claims to own 71% of the market.
Although no reliable statistics are available on the use of chastity belts, anecdotal reports from manufacturers suggest that most belts sold in Europe and the US are for men, and that of the female belts ordered, relatively few are used as rape prevention devices.
In erotica
Chastity belts have made appearances in eroticaErotica
Erotica are works of art, including literature, photography, film, sculpture and painting, that deal substantively with erotically stimulating or sexually arousing descriptions...
. Esar Levine's 1931 Chastity Belts: An Illustrated History of the Bridling of Women compiled erotica of women in chastity belts, with commentary.
External links
- Altarboy's website Venerable website with lots of chastity device information, stories, and reviews
- LockNKeep A free community portal for Chastity Belt enthusiasts (since 2003)
- The UK's Non-Commercial Chastity Belt Site (history and general information since 2001)
- Informative portal and discussion board (in French)