Bizarre ‘castlecore’ sex trend soars in popularity, new report reveals – experts warn of serious health risks
Sexually adventurous Brits experimenting with ‘castlecore rotica’ – dubbed Britain’s fastest growing fetish – could be putting their health at risk, experts have warned.
Castlecore is an emerging design trend inspired by the medieval era that has become a hit on social media platforms like TikTok and Pinterest in recent months.
And now Britain’s biggest sex toy brand has discovered that the movement could inspire more and more Brits in the bedroom too.
In a new report, Lovehoney said its customers were experimenting with corsets and dildos inspired by fantasy creatures – which it linked to the castle core trend.
However, experts have warned that a tight corset could restrict breathing, while certain sex toys could get stuck in the body, causing a medical emergency.
Lovehoney said the interest in Castlecore’s erotic side was linked to the growing popularity of ‘romance’ novels.
The genre combines medieval fantasy stories with erotic romance and has taken social media by storm as people review and share their favorite works.
The “romantasy” tag has nearly 700,000 posts with some clips on TikTok alone, where people offer their book reviews and rack up millions of views.
Castlecore is the use of medieval aesthetics in home decor or fashion, with the term becoming a hit in recent months on websites such as TikTok and Pinterest, with adherents showing off medieval-inspired dresses or Gothic-style furniture. Pictured is Arundel Castle in West Sussex
However, one of Britain’s biggest erotica and sex toy brands has predicted that Castlecore will come to British bedrooms in 2025. In a new report, Lovehoney said Brits are likely to pursue erotic elements such as corsets in the coming year. Stock image
A study by Lovehoney found that searches for “smut books” increased by 78 percent between May 2023 and May 2024, with the romance series A Garden of Thorn and Roses an important part of driving the trend.
The brand also noted that interest in sex toys with designs that evoke the genitals of fantasy creatures, such as dragons, had exploded “sevenfold” over the same period.
‘Castlecore-rotica – Medieval-inspired products are becoming increasingly popular.
“In the bedroom, expect to see more corsets, which have skyrocketed in popularity recently, and dildos inspired by mythical medieval creatures,” they wrote.
Annabelle Knight, Lovehoney’s UK sex and relationship expert, described romance as the ultimate ‘what if’ that allows people to explore their deepest desires, unencumbered by reality.
‘Let’s face it, reality can be a little boring sometimes, so who wouldn’t want to dive into a world full of sexy fairies and forbidden romance?
“These fantasy explorations also provide a safe space to explore power dynamics,” she said.
‘They give you the freedom to play with ideas that are set in a world of mythical creatures or aliens, making it more separate from the everyday.
The brand also noted that interest in sex toys with designs that evoke the genitals of fantasy creatures, such as dragons, had exploded “sevenfold” over the same period. Depicted a dragon from the popular fantasy TV show Game of Thrones
“These stories also feel empowering, with strong female characters exploring their desires and embracing their power, which resonates with many women.”
Although deeply rooted in fantasy, there are some elements of the castlecore kink that could pose a health hazard.
Corsets, sometimes renamed “waist trainers,” have seen a resurgence in recent decades, much to the concern of medical professionals.
The devices are sold online for just £7 and work by narrowing the waist, making it appear smaller and accentuating a desirable hourglass figure.
However, they can cause breathing difficulties by pushing the stomach into the diaphragm, a muscle below the lungs, which is critical for breathing and oxygen delivery to the body.
Corsets and waist trainers can also cause digestive problems, such as acid reflux and constipation. This is caused by the stomach being pushed up and the intestines being restricted in their natural movements.
The use of such devices – which today are usually made of synthetic materials and steel – can also cause the kidneys to shift to unnatural positions in the body, potentially cutting off internal blood flow to the organs.
There have even been some cases of liver and rib damage reported in the past due to the use of corsets.
Lovehoney said interest in the erotic side of Castlecore would be fueled by the boom of ‘romance’ as a book genre on social media. Stock image
People in their 20s were most likely to have an object stuck in their rectum, followed by people in their early 50s
A study has found that the number of cases where objects need to be removed from the rectum is increasing, with cases increasing mainly in men
Restricting movement while wearing a corset can cause the back muscles to weaken, which can later cause back pain and muscle weakness.
Many of these potential dangers result from wearing a corset too tight and/or for too long.
Those interested in a fantasy-inspired sex toy like a dildo should also make sure they follow safety advice.
Poorly designed options may lack a flared base designed to prevent them from sticking in the body.
Data shows that hundreds of Britons are rushed to A&E for an emergency extraction every year when this happens.
Experts also warn that people should check which type of lube is compatible with the material of their sex toy.
Some formulas can damage the surface of toys, creating ‘pits’ in the structure that can increase the risk of the toy becoming contaminated with bacteria.