When a person is sexually aroused by the sight or sound of someone vomiting or by vomiting him or herself, his or her arousal is referred to as emetophilia. This term can be used to refer to not only sexual arousal based on vomit but also fantasies a person might have that focus on this bodily process. Sometimes people take this sexual fetish further than simply observing a person in the act of vomiting or taking pleasure in vomiting themselves by vomiting on a sexual partner. People don't usually need treatment for emetophilia unless it interferes with their ability to lead normal lives.

Sexual preferences and attractions can vary widely from person to person. Those who are aroused by vomit are sometimes referred to as emetophiliacs or emetophiles. Individuals who indulge in emetophilia only in fantasy are often described by this term as well.

Emetophilia is typically considered a type of sexual fetish. Often, however, people are more familiar with other types of fetishes, such as situations in which a person becomes aroused or takes sexual pleasure in the look, feel, or smell of feet. Another example of a sexual fetish is the enjoyment of acts that involve urinating or being urinated upon during sex. A person might have emetophilia as his only fetish or have a number of sexual attractions that fit in this category.

Some people with emetophilia are interested in the sensations they feel when they vomit rather than the acts of another. There are, however, other people who take pleasure in physically engaging a partner in this act. For example, a person might want to vomit on his partner or have his partner vomit on him. Additionally, an individual with this fetish might even want to throw up into his partner’s mouth.

Most people are not adversely affected by this type of sexual attraction, and as such, they do not need treatment for it. A person may, however, seek mental health counseling if he or she feels this attraction is causing problems in his or her life. For example, an individual might seek help from a mental health expert if he or she doesn't feel in control of behaviors related to this fetish. Counseling help might also prove beneficial if a person's desire for acts that involve vomiting causes problems in his or her relationship. Additionally, support groups can help if an emetophiliac wants to talk to others with the same interests.