Does YOUR partner have a sex fetish? Tracey Cox reveals the six signs to look for

Most of us have a ‘secret’ thing that does it for us sexually.

But, for some people, their ‘thing’ is more than a ‘thing’: it’s a sex fetish they’re too ashamed to ‘fess up to. Lots are so good at keeping it hidden, their partner often has no idea.

If this strikes fear in your heart, you’re not alone – few of us like the thought that our partner keeps sexual secrets.

But lots of people with sexual fetishes, manage them perfectly well solo.

They’ll use porn based on the theme and feel satisfied. 

Others would love acceptance but don’t necessarily want to do it with you (a partner who wears your knickers or stockings when you aren’t around, for instance).

It’s how someone wants to fulfil their fetish or kink that determines whether it becomes an issue in your relationship.

It’s when they can’t indulge it solo, or don’t want to, that they’ll start dropping hints.

Does your partner harbour a secret sex fetish?

Here’s the most likely ways they’ll try to tell you…

THEIR CLOTHES AND GENERAL BEHAVIOUR MAY GIVE YOU A CLUE 

People who are into BDSM will often wear things that hint to their fetish – a leather choker or a leather wristband with studs on it.

If someone has a foot fetish, they’ll pay an abnormal amount of attention to your shoes – and eye off other people’s shoes as well.

THEY ASK YOU THINGS LIKE ‘WHAT’S THE WEIRDEST THING YOU’VE GOT UP TO SEXUALLY?’ 

The idea is to decide how open you are to new experiences without coming right out and saying, ‘Hey, I’ve got a fetish. Would you like to give it a whirl with me?’.

Sometimes, they’ll ask random questions about how adventurous you’ve been. Have you ever had a threesome? Have you ever whipped anyone/been tied up?

The more things you own up to, the braver they become, often asking if you’ve experienced the fetish or kink they’re into.

Wanting to make a sex bucket list together can often be your partner longing to suggest exploring something in particular. They hide it in amongst what they consider to be other more ‘acceptable’ sex activities.

THEY SUGGEST YOU WATCH PORN WITH A CERTAIN THEME 

If you watch porn together, this is the most likely way your partner will suss out whether or not you’re open to exploring their kink or fetish.

‘I read about/stumbled upon/heard about this really interesting porn. Do you want to watch it with me?’

If you say yes, they will anxiously scan your face as you do, searching for signs of arousal – or disgust.

‘I’d love to see my partner being brought to orgasm by multiple partners at the same time,’ one man confessed.

‘She enjoys watching gang bangs on pornography – it’s virtually the only porn we watch – but I’m not sure it’s a sign she’d want to try it in real life. When I have mentioned I’d like to see her do what she’s watching, she shies away from the subject.’

THEY’LL MAKE A JOKE ABOUT TRYING IT 

If your reaction to the porn was a definite ‘Yuk! Why are we watching this for?’, the fetish will most likely be managed one of two ways. 

They’ll continue to satisfy themselves by masturbating to porn themed around their fetish. Or they’ll move on to find someone who will indulge them.

If, instead, you seemed to enjoy it, the next step is often a jokey suggestion that you give it a try.

‘What would you do if I put on your panties, just to see what they feel like?’ Pause. Quickly followed by ‘Ha! I’m only kidding!’.

Another common scenario: to pretend they had a dream about you both doing what they want to do.

THEY’LL TRY A WATERED DOWN VERSION OF WHAT THEY WANT

If he pulls your hair and gets really excited, he could be itching to try BDSM. 

That ‘playful’ spank that gets them really excited, could well be a hint they’re longing to bring out the whip or paddle hidden under the bed.

THEY’LL WANT TO DO THE SAME THING ALL THE TIME 

Your partner wanting you to wear stockings and heels in bed now and then qualifies as a kink. 

Wanting you to wear it every single time you have sex, or having immense difficulty being able to become aroused or orgasm unless you do, moves it into a fetish.

Pretty sure, reading this, that your partner may be about to tell all?

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR PARTNER CONFESSES 

No matter how shocked you are, a negative kneejerk response to a fetish confession is going to hurt.

A lot.

Try not to judge. Instead, ask questions and ask for more information.

Having a fetish isn’t unhealthy or the sign of a psychological disorder, says social psychologist, Justin Lehmiller. 

‘Most people with kinks and fetishes are psychologically well-adjusted and don’t experience problems in their lives or relationships stemming from their sexual interests,’ he says.

Fetishes are only considered problems if they involve engaging in non-consensual behaviour, if they pose an unacceptable level of risk or harm to themselves or others, or if they cause severe psychological distress or impairment.

If you don’t want to participate in your partner’s fetish but don’t mind them indulging solo, tell them.

If you’re horrified by the whole thing, do some research online before you make any further decisions. There are support websites and lots of information around most fetishes.

Then talk honestly about how you feel: there is nearly always a compromise, if the couple are willing to find one.

Just remember, lots of people feel shameful about their fetishes and it’s a big deal to finally confess when they do.

Lots don’t.

‘I have a fetish which largely developed after getting married,’ one man told me.

‘I had dabbled in BDSM but mostly light-hearted. My wife wasn’t keen and that was fine. But nine years later, I found chastity (locking your penis in a specially designed cage that prevents you from getting erections of using your penis for sex) which I love and practise while at home alone.

‘My nervousness with how she might react if I told her, doesn’t seem worth the upset for something I enjoy on my own. She might be fine but equally could be horrified.

‘I wish I’d found this out before we were married because then I’d have told her. To tell her now seems unfair.’

Then there are those who are pleasantly surprised, after shamefully hiding a fetish for years.

‘I’d been with my partner for several years when I found out he liked wearing women’s knickers,’ says one 60-year-old woman who had the experience in her 30s.

‘It didn’t bother me at all and I couldn’t understand why he kept it a secret.’

Visit traceycox.com for more advice on sex and relationships. Tracey’s book Great Sex Starts at 50 is out now and her two sex toy ranges are available from Lovehoney.