Everyone’s born with them, mostly with two, some with a third. The breast, the areola and the nipple are evolution’s answer to lactation during breastfeeding. Nipples are the fountain of life, and they can also provide a hell of a lot of pleasure. When stimulated they aid the release of oxytocin (the love and bonding hormone), and can even lead to orgasms, which also releases a hell of a lot more oxytocin!
Not only do nipples lactate, but the areola contains sebaceous glands that secrete sebum oils containing lipoid fluid, to keep the nipple lubricated. It also creates an olfactory signal for babies when breastfeeding, but studies also suggest this is a signal for an intimate partner to increase pleasure. In 2006, it was found that female breast stimulation for at least 82% not only induces sexual arousal, but also enhances it when already aroused.
What about nipples on bodies assigned male at birth? 52% reported that nipple stimulation enhanced their sexual arousal. Across the male and female participants, only 7.5% reported that nipple stimulation decreased their arousal.
From nipple erections to nipple orgasms
So, we know there’s a connection with arousal, but can this really lead to nipplegasms? What even is a nipplegasm? Prior to 2011, it was mostly accounted for with personal anecdotes, but since Komisaruk’s study using fMRI scans, it was discovered that when the nipples are stimulated, not only do the nipple parts of the sensory cortex light up, but the genital parts do too.
While discussion of different types of orgasms are common, we must be clear that physiologically there has only been one ‘type’ of orgasm recognised by science – and that is genital. This means that clitoral or penile orgasms can be induced by different parts of the body, and nipples seem to be a pretty great way of getting there. With a lot of time, patience, lube and sex tech, you can enjoy the pleasurable potential of nipples, whether you reach orgasm or not.
Tips for Achieving a Nipplegasm
If you enjoy nipple stimulation, and maybe you want to try experiencing an orgasm this way, here’s a few tips to building nipple arousal.,
Take your time
Refrain from touching your genitals, and before touching your chest, enjoy sensual stimulation in your alternative erogenous zones, increasing your arousal. Use your hands, feathers or vibration technology to create different sensations – and take your time, it’s unlikely to happen immediately.
Breathe
Like with meditation, try breathing into each area of your body so that your senses are heightened, especially focusing on your genitals and nipples. Feel them tingling.
Massage
Using different pressures, you can start to encourage blood flow and awaken the nerve endings in this area. You may start to notice the nipples becoming erect. Avoid temptation to give yourself direct nipple stimulation for a few minutes. Using the lubes aforementioned, particularly massage oils, can bring a lot of pleasure.
Edging
Play with the nipples. Stroke, squeeze, pinch, twist, flick. Use suction cups, vibrating or heated clamps. Find out what sensations do it for you. If you start feeling a build up of arousal in the genitals keep going till you feel like you are close. Then stop. Breathe. Repeat. Remember, you may not feel the effects immediately, but try edging yourself and enjoy the ride.
Sex Tech for Nipples?
First things first, get the right lube. Though nipples are generally self-lubricating, stimulating them for some time may cause chaffing, and that’s not sexy at all. There are a whole host of lubes to choose from that can offer a variety of sensations.
Maybe you want to try warming, cooling or tingling lubricants.
- Oil-based lubes are great for massaging the whole breast. This is essential for waking up the nerve endings in the nipple.
- Water-based lube is great if you are going to be incorporating silicone based sex toys.
- Silicone-based lube offers a silky smooth sensation – be wary to avoid using it with silicone-based toys as this can cause a chemical reaction that has the potential to damage your toys.
Once you’re lubed up, choose your weapon. Nipple suction cups are great for hands-free nipple action. Individually controlled, the sucker cup sucks on the nipple inducing a suction sensation, bringing blood into the area and awakening the nerve endings. Note: nipples can grow with these – temporarily though.
Vibration clamps that you can adjust to fit and pinch the nipples, with adjustable vibration intensity, control the level at which you can handle. Experiencing more intense vibrations can cross over into more painful pleasure – tasting nipple torture and extended nipple play for more experienced users.
Or for a softer experience, heated nipple clamps can provide warm sensations, designed for more sensitive nipples and first-timers.
Read Next: Vibrator Guide: Clitoral, G-Spot, Combined Toys, Vibrating Eggs and Kegel Exercisers
