Bondage is MEDIUM RISK
Bondage is getting your kicks from being restrained or restraining others (with rope, handcuffs etc).
Bondage is part of the wider scene of BDSM – Bondage, Domination & Submission and Sadomasochism.
If you don’t have sex during bondage (penetrative or otherwise) there is virtually no risk of STIs. There are, of course, risks in other ways such as getting yourself hurt, or bruised.
If you are using a sex toy, make sure you use a new condom on the toy before using it. Lots of water-based lube is a good idea too! Make sure the condom is changed each time there is a new toy, or the toy is used on someone else.
If your restrainer has penetrative sex with you, make sure he also wears a condom and uses water-based lube. Sometimes, in the bondage scenario, you may not feel able to ask questions or ask them to do something for your own protection. It is a good idea to chat through your limitations (how far you want to go with bondage) before any bondage, and to agree “safe words” to indicate when you want to stop.
If bareback sex happens, this increases the risk of bondage to “high” as there is more chance of you getting an STI or HIV. The risk of transmitting HIV, and other viruses, is high if there is any blood-to-blood contact.
Remember that sexual assault is still possible in the bondage situation and if something happens during a bondage session that you feel uncomfortable about then please speak to a professional such as someone from MOT, THT or even the police
This information was taken from Terrence Higgins Trust’s ‘Hardcell’ website