The word "medfet"

I looked around and was surprised that I didn’t find prior discussion threads on this topic, so perhaps I’m on an island unto myself. I’m curious to know how others here feel about using the term “medfet” or “fetish” to characterize their interests. I don’t like it, I guess because I think of fetishism as a behavioral disorder you can look up in the DSM-V. Do I find auscultation and anything requiring the use of a stethoscope to be incredibly arousing? For sure. Are those things *necessary conditions* for my arousal? Not at all.

I also don’t like the term “medfet” because it’s so broadly used, it could mean anything from deriving pleasure from an actual exam, to fantasy role play with busty nurses in fishnet tights and 4-inch heels torturing a subject to orgasm. To me, that’s porn. And if that’s your thing, right on. But for me and many others here, I know the excitement comes from the realistic, authentic re-enactment of an exam. Straying into the porn realm would actually ruin it. So … is there a better word to describe *that*?

I think "medfet" is an appropriate, and useful, term for all of us. I am almost strictly a mask fetishist within the medfet umbrella. No nurses uniforms, no exams, no enemas, etc. Very narrow. Certainly no over the top porn like you describe. However, what you describe, to me, is still medfet even if it very vaguely adheres to most aspects of medfet. If it's not medfet, then maybe it's a clothing fetish. I have plenty of those fetishes. And masks fall in that spectrum, too.

Indeed, the DSMs do cover fetishism as a disorder but according to the World Health Organization, fetishistic fantasies are common and should only be treated as a disorder when they impair normal functioning or cause distress. That makes a goodly amount of sense to me. As for "neccessity for arousal", wikipedia is just calling fetishes "sexual aids", though I read elsewhere that that necessity is part of the meaning of "fetish". I'm not so sure. Between my medfet and abdl fetishes and all the other clothing fetishes I have, it would be impossible to employ them all all of the time, except in a group sex fantasy. And groups, to me, are a bit overwhelming. Sensory and information overload.

It's like I describe to new members here or other sexual conversations where people have never heard of the word "medfet" or the medical fetish. There are so many different aspects to the umbrella term "medfet." As @duckbillN95 stated he is only interested in masks. Others have a fetish for gloves, others have an enema fetish. There are cardiophiles, people who are into any type of auscultation or stethoscope use and still others are interested in surgery and surgical procedures. For myself, I am into just performing examinations and everything that goes with an exam. If my patient is into enemas, then I will incorporate that into their exam, if my patient is into injections, then I will add at least one or two to their exam. Everyone has different interests but many interests fit under the "medfet" umbrella, but not everything has to be included for everyone's desires.

I would certainly never use the term 'medfet' when talking to friends or even acquaintances. I don't really like the connotation to the notion of having a 'fetish'.

I was brought up to understand the word fetish as meaning something that primitive/tribal societies used as a sort of good luck or magical charm, sort of like having a 'lucky rabbit's foot' (something which has luckily gone out of style).

It was a notion that gained a lot of traction in the colonial days and during the age of exploration when sailors and travelers encountered all kinds of odd social customs that were related to magic or the spiritual world. During WWI for instance, soldiers being a somewhat superstitious lot in general, French soldiers were often described as taking objects as good luck charms with them to the front lines. These were then described with the word 'fetish'.

Also many early sexologists and sexual researchers loved to bandy about the word 'fetish' or 'cult' to describe unusual sexual practices. Even up til the 1979/80s, serious researchers would talk about the 'enema cult' or the 'cult of nudism' as it these were wildly unnatural and odd practices. I'm certain that some of the more disapproving researchers/reformers liked to ramble on about the 'cult of homosexuality' as well.

All somewhat unsavory connotations.

But, we are now sort of stuck with the word 'medfet' for lack of a better term.

I don't really like the connotation to the notion of having a 'fetish'.

Precisely!

@jman882007

I guess I’m looking more to distinguish between the *style* of play. I don’t have a problem using the word medfet to describe the various props we might enjoy/employ. But there’s a big difference between what those interested in realistic role play are looking for, compared to those looking for, say, pornographic play, or fantasy or science fiction-like scenarios.

Sorry- that first comment was a response to agracier!

I think it is very difficult to find a word (or, at least, a single word), which can identify the medical fantasy in all its facets...

Passion, the "fetish" in the medical field, has too many facets to be encapsulated in a single acronym.

"Passionmed" could be sweeter without identifying the current medfet as a fetish, but a generic effect of passion involving feelings other than the mere idea of something related to sexual arousal would also be attributable to that word...

Sorry for the translation.