The term coprophilia has been derived from the Greek word kopros meaning excrement and is also known as scat fetishism or scat play that shares a scientific and literary origin with the term scatology. Scat fetishism is prominently featured in Japanese pornography and is a disorder belonging to the category of paraphilias. Paraphilias are a group of relentless sexual behavior patterns in which unusual items, customs or situations are required for sexual satisfaction.

In coprophilia the most common form of sexual preference is feces. The mode of using feces to derive sexual excitation and gratification varies considerably. In some cases it may involve the practice of defecating on the partner to derive sexual excitement and satisfaction. The practice of defecation on the partner’s chest is known as Cleveland steamer. In certain instances the coprophilic individual may engage in coprohagia or the eating of feces.

Coprophilia does not normally interfere with the rights of others except in a subsidiary manner where the fantasies, behaviors or objects lead to clinically significant distress, disease or impairment. Also, the forced participation of non-consenting partners may result in legal complications and interfere with interpersonal and social relationships.

Coprophilia and health hazards:

Eating of feces to derive sexual satisfaction may put the individual at risks of infection and may give rise to diseases such as hepatitis and AIDS. Even consuming one’s own feces is unhealthy and can have harmful consequences as the bowel bacteria are not edible.

Treatment:

One of the most prominent problems in the treatment of this disorder is that most individuals affected with coprophilia do not seek professional treatment for the condition, but rather receive it only when they have been caught in the act or on request of their sexual partner. Thus, their motivations for change may often stem from a desire to do it for someone else rather than from a genuine desire to change.

Treatments that combine cognitive and behavioral elements have been moderately successful in effecting changes in deviant arousal and behavior patterns of these individuals. Moreover, there is increasing evidence that these treatments can result in significantly reduced rates of recidivism than seen in untreated individuals. Another key component of treatment involves techniques commonly known as aversion therapy— aversive conditioning to deviant sexual fantasies. Other important forms of treatment comprise of cognitive behavioral programs that include social skills training and restructuring cognitive distortions that may be helping to maintain the deviant sexual arousal and behavior patterns.