Get to Know Your Kink: Chastity

What is Chastity?

Chastity is a kink that involves denying someone from experiencing erotic stimuli and/or keeping them from orgasm by preventing the wearer from accessing and touching their genitalia. This can be done solely or at the discretion of a play partner or partners. 

What are the Origins of Chasity

When many people think of chastity devices, their mind probably wanders to the woman wearing metal undergarments barred by her husband to engage in extramarital affairs while he was off at combat. However, according to Albrecht Classen, author of The Medieval Chastity Belt: A Myth-Making Process, this is all a myth, stating that the first mention of a chastity belt was made by Konrad Kyeser, a German engineer/artist, as a joke. This fictional device, built to control women’s desires, was used metaphorically as entertainment and to reflect on a woman’s sexual power. This was until the 19th century, when it was once again used as a tool, this time for scholars and Medieval museums alike to demean and brutalize individuals in the Middle Ages for their barbaric handling of women. 

Despite the chastity belt not being used in the Middle Ages, the term chastity does go back to times of purity and the relinquishing of worldly pleasures, especially around sex. Many religions value the importance of chastity, especially before marriage. For instance, the Church of the Latter Day Saints has strict vows of chastity before marriage, stating that sex should only be had between a husband and his wife. Not only can they not have sex before marriage, but this also includes anything said and thought. Any lust towards a woman will be seen as adultery. 

Types of Chastity

There are two major types of chastity devices: temporary use and long-term use. Temporary use chastity devices are designed to be worn for a relatively short period, such as during intercourse. Long-term chastity devices are designed to be worn more permanently, and allow the wearer to perform everyday bodily acts, like using the restroom, comfortably and with ease, while still preventing direct access to their genitalia. 

Why do people engage in chastity?

There are many reasons why someone may engage in chastity. Some individuals may use chastity to increase their discipline and self-control so that they can take on other aspects of life. Others use chastity to increase intimacy and connection with their partner(s). Many people choose to engage in chastity with someone they trust, providing the key to that person. This creates room for a lot of bonding and understanding. 

Other aspects of chastity connect to the more kinky aspects of it. Chastity is widely used in scenes with power dynamics, with the act of wearing a chastity device being seen as submissive. The keyholder, or the one controlling the other’s chastity, can implement both physical control by utilizing the chastity device and/or psychological control. 

Due to the extra symbolism of the penis representing masculinity, malehood, and often dominance (Conceição et al., 2022), chastity can be a great way to add another element to femdom scenes by stripping away the male’s masculinity. This can even bleed further into aspects of other kink genres such as feminization and sissification. Both involve the act of the masculine presenting individual being placed in feminine scenarios. This can be having the masculine-presenting individual wear feminine clothes, such as a bra or a thong. It can also have the masculine-presenting individual perform more traditionally feminine roles, such as cleaning the house. 

Safety & Hygiene

Hygiene

Hygiene is an important part of owning a chastity device. Proper hygiene can reduce the risk of infections and other bodily harm. When wearing the device, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:

Bathing: When bathing, you should wash the device and your genitalia thoroughly. To do so, use soap and water. After washing your genitalia thoroughly, ensure the area is dry. You can use a cotton swab or something similar to dry the inside walls. Once dry, you can put a small quantity of lotion in it to prevent chaffing and dryness. For the most comfort, use unscented lotion/moisturizer and wear cotton underwear. 

Going to the restroom: Once you pee, clean off and dry any splashback that may have happened. Once that is done, you can take a couple of pieces of toilet paper and roll them up into a paper snake before inserting them into the cage. Twist the paper several times to get any lingering urine before flushing the tissue away. 

Deep Clean – these should be done around every 2-3 weeks. The easiest method would be the soap and water method. Use any body safe, anti-bacterial, and unscented soap with warm water. Clean thoroughly. You can also use a dedicated toothbrush to get into all the hard-to-reach places. A dishwasher or boiling water can also be used for a deeper clean. Be cautious since this method can only be done on stainless steel and high-temperature resistant plastic. If you are using a material other than those mentioned, you are at risk of the chassis cage melting or being damaged due to the high heat. 

Negotiation and Consent

1. Ensure the person you are playing with understands and respects your boundaries. As the submissive, you are the one who holds the power. Some questions to think about are:
   1. How long do I want to wear this device?
   2. Do I want to give this person a key?
      1. If so, for how long?
   3. Do I want to engage in permanent chastity?
      1. If so, do I want a failsafe option in case something goes awry
   4. Am I happy with wearing chastity
2. Ensure you are comfortable
   1. Measure your dimensions to ensure the right size for your device. The wrong chastity device can prove uncomfortable and can even be dangerous. 
   2. Your testicles should not be blue. Although the discomfort may be fun for those of you who enjoy a little CBT (Cock and Ball Torture), this can be dangerous. If they are blue, your chastity device is too tight, and you may need a new one. 

Is Gear Needed, and Where Can I Buy It?

Depending on the material, design, and duration you want, you will determine what type of gear you should invest in. Below is a breakdown of what gear you should look into, depending on whether you will engage in temporary or long-term use. You can buy chastity devices at most adult stores or online. Be sure to do your research and ensure body-safe material is being used on products you are going to buy. 

Temporary Chastity Devices

Temporary chastity devices tend to be made of various materials, such as leather, metal, or plastic. Other items, such as bandages and rope, can also be used as a form of chastity.

Plastic single-use devices come with a plastic lock that is designed to be cut off. Due to the material, this cage tends to be lightweight and airport-friendly, allowing you to travel without taking it off or having concerning conversations with the TSA. A drawback is that some do not come with a key, preventing you from providing it to a keyholder. 

Locking pin devices can also be used with both plastic and metal locks, allowing for the use of a key. The only drawback is if the pin is lost. 

Long-term Chastity Devices

These devices are designed to be worn for a longer period of time, even 24/7, providing comfort and functionality. They tend to be made of polycarbonate or silicone and locked by a key. These are widely used for more intense play and can create a sense of intense control even when the key holder is thousands of miles away.

Padlock devices are common in the chastity world. They utilize a simple and easy-to-use padlock/key system that even allows for easy replacement if the padlock is lost or damaged. Some drawbacks of this design are that it tends to be bulky, noisy, and cause metal detectors to go off. 

Cylinder/Barrel Lock utilizes an internal lock system built into the cage. This device is more discreet than the padlock cage and is small and lightweight. Some major drawbacks are that it is difficult to access if the lock fails. Some makers allow the pin to be in the front for easier access, but this is not standard. It is also challenging to get new keys if you lose them.

Screw/Hex Lock: This uses a traditional lock. It is a secure and silent option that does not have the same mechanical risk as the previous device. This option also has more permanent options that can be incorporated. Some drawbacks to this device are that the screws tend to be loose, and there is no proof that the cage has been removed, which can be seen with other cages, such as the single-use plastic cage. 

References

Classen, A. (2007). The medieval chastity belt: A myth‑making process (The New Middle Ages). Palgrave Macmillan. 

Classen, A. (2015, October 5). The medieval chastity belt started as a joke. Time. Retrieved July 16, 2025, from https://time.com/4061117/medieval-chastity-belt-myth/

Conceição, V. M. D., Sinski, K. C., Araújo, J. S., Bitencourt, J. V. D. O. V., Santos, L. M. S. D., & Zago, M. M. F. (2022). Masculinities and ruptures after penectomy. Acta Paulista de Enfermagem, 35, Article eAPE03212.

Konrad Kyeser von Eichstadt . Science and Its Times: Understanding the Social Significance of Scientific Discovery. . Retrieved July 16, 2025, from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/konrad-kyeser-von-eichstad

What is the law of Chastity?. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (2007, January 1). https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/chastity/what-is-the-law-of-chastity?lang=eng 

Vincy. (2023, October 7). A comprehensive guide to choosing the Right Chastity Cage. Smitizen. https://www.smitizen.com/article/a-comprehensive-guide-to-choosing-the-right-chastity-cage.html 

Disclaimer

The author of this blog strives to use reputable and often peer-reviewed sources for referencing material. The author is not a medical professional. If you are experiencing symptoms or have questions that require medical attention, please seek it immediately.