Arya’s Guide to Exploring Your Erogenous Zones
This article was written for Arya by Niki Davis-Fainbloom
Niki Davis-Fainbloom is a New York–based sex educator, researcher, coach, and Arya In-House Expert. Her work uses up-to-date research, humor, and practical advice to assist people in developing the skills needed for healthier and more satisfying relationships.
Erogenous zones, often referred to as the body's pleasure points, are distinct regions that hold the key to heightened sexual arousal and pleasure. These areas are characterized by a heightened sensitivity to touch, often hosting a dense network of nerve endings. This article will explore what we know about erogenous zones and how this knowledge can elevate our own pleasure and enhance the experiences we share with our partners. Let’s dig in!
Unlock New Heights of Pleasure: Your Guide to Exploring Erogenous Zones
What Are the Most Common Erogenous Zones?
The most powerful erogenous zone is not your genitals, as one may hypothesize, but actually the elusive brain. The brain acts as a central command center, orchestrating and interpreting the sensory input from the rest of your body. The exact same touch can feel erotic or uncomfortable - depending on if it’s from a loved one or a creep on the subway. It is the brain that interprets the physical stimulation received from the rest of the body - and that’s why having your mind be in a place where you are receptive and open to touch is essential for that touch to feel pleasurable.
Beyond the brain, any area of the body that an individual finds pleasurable to touch can be considered an erogenous zone. A comprehensive 2016 study involving 704 participants revealed that according to individual preferences, the entire body could be classified as an erogenous zone. Participants were tasked with shading areas they or a partner would enjoy having touched. While preferences varied among individuals, every part of the body was deemed an erogenous zone by some, with the lower legs ranking as the least favored area (poor calves).
Non-Genital Erogenous Zones
Most people have erogenous zones other than the genitals. In a 2016 study, researchers asked 150 married women about their preferred erogenous zones - they found that (95.3%) of women had non-genital erogenous zones. When looking at non-genital areas, the lips, nipples, breasts, neck, buttocks, inner thigh, and ears consistently top the list. In the study, 12% of the women reported that they could orgasm from the stimulation of these zones alone.
Another 2013 paper asked 793 people about their preferred erogenous zones and found that the following areas ranked highly among all sexes:
The mouth and lips
The nape of the neck
The inner thigh
The pubic hairline
The back of the neck.
Men ranked some erogenous zones, including the lower back and the chest, more highly than women.
Genital Erogenous Zones
For many people, the genitals and surrounding areas are erogenous zones. However, stimulating the genitals is not always erotic, especially when a person is not fully aroused (trust!). Some of the most common genital erogenous zones for people with vulvas include the clitoris, inside the vagina, and the perineum. Whereas for men the most common genital erogenous zones include the penis, the scrotum, and the perineum.
The specific area of the genitals a person enjoys stimulating or having stimulated varies from person to person. For example, some people enjoy G-spot stimulation, while others prefer clitoral stimulation. For some people rubbing right next to their genitals actually feels better than direct stimulation, so for each partner, it is best not to assume (or do what worked on your ex) and instead ask your partner where they enjoy being touched.
How to Stimulate Erogenous Zones
The type of stimulation a person prefers varies as much as their preferred erogenous zones. Some prefer gentle, subtle stimulation, such as blowing or light touches. Others prefer intense, rough stimulation, such as massaging or stroking.
The ideal stimulation may also change depending on how aroused a person is, their time of the month, and a myriad of other factors. So as much as what worked for your ex might not work for your current partner, what worked for your partner last week may not work this week. That is part of what makes exploration so fun!
Some options for stimulating erogenous zones include:
Using the mouth to lick, kiss, suck, or bite the area
Using the fingers to gently touch, stroke, massage, or tickle the area
Blowing on the area
Using sex toys or other tools to stimulate the area, such as tickling it with a feather or stimulating it with a dildo or vibrator.
When you’re with a new partner, think of it as an explorative journey of discovery. Perhaps hit some of the most common erogenous zones, but more importantly, ask your partner how and where they enjoy being touched. If your partner isn’t sure, you can go on a pleasure mapping journey together, where they rate the stimulation received on a scale from 1-5 or you can evaluate what feels good based on their moans and other signals.
Let Arya guide you through the erogenous zone exploration journey.
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About Arya
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