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The practices of sadomasochism involve forging a connection between sexual pleasure and the physical or psychological experience of pain. The term is derived from the fusion of “sadism” and “masochism,” which refer to the derivation of pleasure from, respectively, the infliction and reception of pain. Sadomasochistic activities usually entail a highly structured, mutually created sexual atmosphere involving situations of domination of one partner by the other—hence the popular synonyms “S & M” for sadomasochism or “B & D” for bondage and dominance. As much of the interaction between partners is on the level of psychodrama, few opportunities exist for the exchange of semen, blood, or vaginal secretions, making this type of sexual practice one of the safest in terms of risk of HIV transmission.