Recently, New York attorney general Eric Schneiderman was accused by four women of physical assault during sex. Schneiderman responded by saying that the hitting, choking, and slapping he's accused of were part of kinky "roleplaying." All four women say they never consented to engage in these types of behaviours. Whether or not Schneiderman was indeed "roleplaying" at all, the case is opening up a vitally important conversation about consent, particularly within the context of kink and BDSM.

Here's what you need to know to get it right.

Most people's sex lives could be charitably described as "vanilla" - which is totally fine! But if you clicked on this story, I'm going to assume you're flirting with the idea of introducing something spicier.

The world of BDSM isn't just for leather festishists and 50 Shades fans: anybody can get involved - and they totally should. Here's everything you need to know about getting acquainted with the kinkier side of carnal pleasure.

BDSM stands for Bondage & Discipline (BD), Domination & Submission (DS) and Sadism & Masochism (SM). The layers of coercion, consent, pleasure and pain are as complex as the acronym itself and defined by the participants themselves.

What goes on in private between consenting adults is typically no one else's business - but it can present problematic demarcations in the law of assault. So what does our legal system have to say about so-called "hard" sadomasochistic acts? Let's find out.

Doctor's visits can be awkward, especially when getting the care you need requires divulging details about your sex life. Everybody needs a doctor they can trust, but that's especially important if you're likely to show up with injuries that may be hard to explain.

You've read our primer on how to share your fantasies with someone new, now you're ready to actually act out those fantasies. Here's what you need to know to help make your fantasies a reality.