Most autoerotic practices are relatively or entirely safe.
One example of a dangerous practice is autoerotic asphyxiation. It often results in death, particularly when done alone.
Self-bondage is the practice of sexual bondage by oneself; it carries a higher risk than bondage with a partner, and there is a large potential for things to go wrong.
Autoerotic activity is engaged in by a considerable number of women and men of advanced age and among the aged the behavior is more prevalent on the part of women than men.
The practice of autoeroticism definitely does not inhibit one from engaging in sexual activity with other persons, and with respect to females, the experiencing of sexual intercourse tends to result in an increased use of masturbation.
Autoeroticism is more prevalent among nonreligious groups of people than among those who are devout.
Those who practice autoeroticism, typically young men ages 15-25, experience a high frequency of sexual pleasure that comes from being bound and hung with ropes and chains.
Risky sexual bondage in the form of tight dresses and hoods (latex, leather), rain boots, blindfolds and gags, masochism with clips in the nipples, and other self-tortures, such as branding of the genitals, are also common among these young men.
Fully aware of the risk they are taking with death, those who practice autoeroticism perceive the inherent dangers as a form of sexual stimulation and seek the fear instead of running from it.