You could name almost any part of the human body and guarantee that there is someone, somewhere, who has found a way to sexualize it.
With the development of the internet, mankind was forced to become aware of kinks many previously would have struggled to imagine. From the commonplace foot fetish to the complicated and novel world of the animal suit-wearing Furries.
But 2025 has seen the growth of a new community of fetishists, ones who are attracted to a particularly smelly part of our anatomy. This particular obsession is known as maschalagnia.
This is the term for those who, for whatever reason, have a sexual obsession with people's armpits, whether that be licking them or seeing particularly sweaty ones. While some find this a bit revolting, a growing number of people are seeking 'pit porn' out.
Advert
Research examining search trends carried out by ethical porn site Ersties found that users looking for armpit-related content had shot up the rankings to become the fourth-most searched-for term this year.
This places it just behind pegging, foot stuff, and watersports (better known as peeing). While for many people who are not into this sort of thing, it might seem incomprehensible, clinical experts have explained why armpits can be a real turn-on for some people.
Psychotherapist Dipti Tait told Metro that bodily smells have a strong relationship with arousal. Tait said: "While it may not sound particularly appealing, body odour can influence sexual attraction.
"However, it’s not just any old scent that does the trick.
"Rather, it’s the unique combination of pheromones and other odoriferous compounds exuded by our bodies that can elicit a primal response in potential partners."
But while the biological process might make sense, the sexual fetish element of it is a bit more complex.
"It can have to do with the salty taste of sweat, the scent of the body odour... It definitely has a tie-in with sweat and people who have an interest in bodily secretions of various types," sexologist Gigi Engle told the publication.
She also explained the psychological effect that the internet has on individuals who realise they have this fetish, and how it can embolden those who are pit-curious.
Engle said: "Once people find community, they find more value and they’re able to feel less shame about their fetish because they have people who can relate and exchange clips."
Cat, Head of Creative, Community and Education at Ersties, has spoken to UNILAD to explain why 2025 was such a bumper year for pit fanatics.
Echoing Engle, she said: "Foot content, armpits, pegging…these might once have lived in the shadows, but audiences now feel much more comfortable searching for very specific interests rather than sticking to broad categories.
"When sex feels safe and normalized, curiosity thrives and ethical porn gives people the space to explore without shame, so niche interests finally get their moment."
Topics: Sex and Relationships, Adult Industry
William Morgan