At a Glance
- Category
- Psychological
- Also Known As
- Erotic humiliation, verbal degradation, consensual humiliation
- Intensity Range
-
Light to Intense
- Requires
- Trust, clear communication, established boundaries
- Good For
- Experienced partners power exchange enthusiasts
What is Degradation?
A degradation kink is sexual arousal from being verbally or psychologically "lowered" by a partner. Someone calls you names. They talk down to you. They treat you as less-than. And somehow, paradoxically, you find it intensely arousing.
Here's what trips people up about the degradation kink: this isn't about genuine disrespect. It's theater. Both people know it's a game. The person being degraded has typically consented enthusiastically, often requested it. The degrader isn't expressing real contempt—they're playing a role their partner craves.
What separates a degradation kink from genuine insult is consent, context, and care. Outside the bedroom, these words would hurt. Inside an agreed-upon scene, they become something else entirely: a release valve, a power exchange, a form of intimacy that looks nothing like what most people imagine intimacy to be.
Getting Started
Talk first. Seriously.
This isn't the kind of thing you spring on someone mid-sex. Have an actual conversation about what words turn you on, which ones would genuinely hurt, and where your hard limits live. Write lists if that helps. Compare them.
Start verbally, start light.
The first time doesn't need costumes or elaborate scenes. A single degrading phrase during otherwise normal sex can tell you a lot about how it lands for you. "Good girl" or "such a slut" or whatever feels right. See how it feels. Talk about it after.
Use a safeword—really use it.
The standard is "red" for stop, "yellow" for slow down. The point isn't just having a safeword; it's having an exit ramp you'll actually use if you need it. Practice saying it. Remove any shame about using it.
Pay attention to the giver too.
Degrading someone, even consensually, can feel weird at first. The degrader needs space to process their feelings too. Check in both directions.
Debrief after.
This matters more here than in most kinks. Talk about what worked. What didn't. What you want more of. What hit wrong. This isn't optional—it's how you do this safely.
Safety & Communication
Separate the role from the relationship.
Make sure both people understand: what's said in scene doesn't reflect actual feelings. This sounds obvious, but it needs to be explicit. After intense scenes, genuine reassurance matters.
Know your real triggers.
We all have genuine insecurities. Words that would actually wound us. Those don't belong in degradation play unless you're doing targeted psychological work with a very experienced partner. Most people should keep real vulnerabilities out of the scene.
Aftercare is non-negotiable.
Being degraded, even when you asked for it, can leave you feeling raw. Plan time afterward for physical comfort, verbal reassurance, and returning to baseline. Water, snacks, blankets, cuddling, words of affirmation—whatever helps you land.
Watch for drop.
"Sub drop" (or "dom drop") can hit hours or days after a scene. If you feel unusually sad, anxious, or disconnected in the days following intense play, that's likely drop. It's temporary. Reach out to your partner or support network.
Check consent every time.
What you wanted last week isn't necessarily what you want today. Ask. Confirm. Don't assume.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not at all. Research on BDSM practitioners actually shows no correlation between having a degradation kink and poor self-image. Many people who love being degraded have plenty of confidence in daily life—that's sometimes exactly why they enjoy the release of temporarily dropping that confident persona.
Start by understanding what specifically appeals to them. "Degradation" covers a huge range. Maybe they want to call you one specific name. Maybe they have elaborate scenarios in mind. Get specific, then decide if any of it works for you. You can try pieces without committing to the whole thing. And you can always say no.
Remind yourself that they asked for this. They want this. You're not being cruel—you're giving them something they find pleasurable. Start with milder language and work up. Pay attention to their physical responses. Check in if you're unsure. And know that feeling weird about it at first is completely normal.
Yes. That's why clear boundaries and safewords exist. "Too far" means different things for different people—what's thrilling for one person could be traumatizing for another. Know your limits, communicate them clearly, and don't assume today's limits match yesterday's.
Here's the honest answer: a degradation kink between consenting adults who communicate well and practice aftercare can be completely healthy. The key words are "consenting," "communicate," and "aftercare." Without those, it stops being kink and becomes something harmful. With them? You're just two people enjoying something that works for you.
