Erotic, or below the belt piercings, have been around for thousands of years. Gladiators of ancient Rome would have their penises pierced to tie them down to their leg to avoid the sharp pointy objects that were frequently swung in their general direction.

Women of the South Pacific would pierce and stretch their labia to attract a husband. African women would pierce their labias to make them more valuable as a wife.

The Frenum, a male genital piercing was used in ancient Middle Eastern culture to prevent sodomy.

The Ampallang has it's origins in the Phillipines, where men would have this piercings with barbs on the ends. During intercourse, the man would not be able to pull out until he was soft.

The Kama Sutra (which was first published around 700 AD) mentions attaching various items to the Frenum piercing, as well as making mention of the Ampallang and Apadravya piercings.

The Guiche piercing is rumoured to be a Samoan puberty rite of passage, but there is little historical evidence to back this up.

The Hafada piercings has it's origins in Arabia, then spread into the Middle East and Africa. It was a mark of becoming a man, and was typically done on the left side of the scrotum.

The Prince Albert piercing is rumoured to be named after Queen Victoria's consort, Prince Albert of Saxe Colburg-Gotha. It is rumoured that he had this piercing to tie his penis to his leg, to avoid a bulge in the very tight pants that were the style at the time.