Sex Talk with Marty Lobell

Getting solid and reliable information on body piercing is a challenge. Few studies have been published and most of those published have leaned toward the view that piercings are signs of rebellious feel- ings toward society. What is known?

There is no question that body piercing, including the mainstream earlobe piercings, has increased tremendously in the USA.

Starting with the punk rock movement of the late 1970s; growing numbers of people, especially teens and college students, have pierced traditional and non- traditional parts of their bodies. Some are above the neck, e.g., ear, upper ear, lip, nose, cheek, tongue and eyebrow, while others are below the neck, e.g. nipples, navel, labia, clitoris, penis, and scrotum.

It appears that genital piercing in the USA initially occurred primarily among some gay men. It has now spread to straight men and gay and straight women. For some this is a statement of individuality, while others may find heightened arousal. Some people claim that oral sex performed by someone with a tongue stud feels more arousing than without. Some women claim that after they had genital piercings they were able to orgasm. There is little research as to the extent of genital piercings, changes in arousal, the motivation(s) for such piercings, and the negative side effects.

Many non-intimate piercings represent individuality or are symbolic of a personal rite of passage. For example, people who move away from home or get a divorce may get a piercing to signify their inde- pendence. There is also the peer pressure factor. If all of your friends are pierced, what are you going to do?

Are piercings a turn-on or turn-off for others? This depends on who you ask and to which type of piercing you are referring. Some piercings are attractive and some look so painful that it is hard not to grimace.

Generally, older people are less accepting as are many employers. Looking like the girl with the dragon tattoo might be fine if you work in a coffee shop in Soho, but not allowed at a law firm on Madison Avenue. The down side is real, but once again little data on the incidence. All piercings run the risk of infection.

Piercings in the nose and mouth are exposed to a va- riety of nasty bacteria that could be problematic. Piercings of the navel, tongue and genitals are extremely slow to heal resulting in a longer exposure to possible infection. (Note: If you have an inny navel, piercings will likely work; but if you have an outty, they are generally not successful).

It is important to keep piercings clean and to wear quality jewelry (allergic reactions can occur to some jewelry. Many European Countries now ban nickel in piercing jewelry)There are other considerations for people who pierce. People have choked on tongue jewelry that goes down their windpipe. Tongue jewelry may also chip or break teeth.

In an accident or fight, piercings can be ripped out (ouch). If you are in an ER, many trauma doctors and nurses do not know how to remove some jewelry (you don’t want MRIs, CAT scans etc. while wearing jewelry). Nerves can be damaged during the piercing procedure (unfortunately, this author could not find research on the likelihood nor severity of such events).

All in all, there are a number of things to consider before piercing. Fortunately, if one later decides it was a bad idea, most piercings are easily reversed by removing the jewelry.