Nipple orgasms: 8 Tips & how to have one

Nipple play is often considered part of foreplay rather than the main event that may result in climax. However, it can be a powerful way to experience pleasure and achieve orgasms. So, let's talk about what nipple orgasms are, who can experience them, and tips on how to achieve them solo or with a partner.

What is a nipple orgasm?

A nipple orgasm is a culmination of sexual pleasure that results from nipple and/or breast stimulation. Nipples are a well-known erogenous zone for men and women with many sensitive nerve endings that can feel pleasurable when stimulated [1]. Stimulating nipples activates the same area of the brain that stimulation of the genitals activates, and we know that oxytocin, a hormone that's associated with sexual pleasure and happiness, may be released when nipple stimulation occurs [2, 3]. Whether or not you are able to reach climax from nipple stimulation, touching the area may offer pleasure to some people. 

What does it feel like?

Unfortunately, the research in this field is quite limited, so we can’t say for sure how nipple orgasms feel. But anecdotal evidence from people sharing their experiences shows that how nipple orgasms feel varies from person to person, the same way other types of orgasms feel different to different people. Our bodies experience pleasure in their own unique way. For some, orgasm from nipple stimulation can feel very similar to orgasm achieved through genital stimulation. While for others, it can feel less targeted and offer a more full-body pleasure release experience.

Are nipple orgasms common?

The short answer is we don't exactly know. A small study that looked into female erogenous zones found that around 12% of women were able to orgasm from stimulation of these areas, which included nipples as well as other areas such as lips, buttocks, and neck [4].

While nipple orgasms, just like many other aspects of female health and pleasure, are not studied widely, and we don't know how common they are, what we do know is that nipple play can be very pleasurable for women and men [1, 5]. A study including 148 men and 153 women, ages 17–29 years, showed that 81.5% of women believe that nipple and breast stimulation enhances their sexual arousal and pleasure, and 51.7% of men reported the same [6].

Can everyone have one?

Orgasms of any kind can be elusive to people, and nipple orgasms are no different. Everyone who has nipples and enjoys the stimulation of that particular erogenous zone could, in theory, experience a nipple orgasm. However, all of our bodies are different, and the way we experience pleasure varies greatly.

The best way to find out whether you are able to climax from nipple play is to explore and get to know your body better. But don't put too much pressure on achieving an orgasm, as it may add extra pressure and prevent you from actually enjoying yourself in the moment.

How to explore nipple play

Ready to explore nipple play? We have a couple of useful tips and techniques to help you make your experience as smooth and pleasurable as possible.

Remember that each body is unique, and we all enjoy different kinds of stimulation when it comes to nipple and other forms of play. Also, nipple orgasm may or may not happen, and that's okay. Avoid focusing on the end goal, and try to enjoy the journey instead.

Nipple play tips for solo exploration

It's always a good idea to learn your body and what works for you solo. Here's how to explore nipple play solo:

• Let go of expectations: If you go into this experience with high expectations, chances are you'll be disappointed. Why not leave all those expectations outside the bedroom and go into this exploration with an open mind and desire to learn about your body rather than achieve a goal, or experience a specific kind of pleasure? It's normal for every orgasm to feel different at different times, even if they're in the same erogenous zone, so it's normal that nipple orgasm may feel different too, they may feel too intense or not intense enough.
• Turn yourself on: Foreplay is important for solo play just as much as for partnered play. The more our bodies are turned on, blood flow activated, the more receptive to pleasure we are, and stimulation of any kind feels more pleasurable. Explore your erogenous zones, watch ethical porn, or close your eyes and fantasize – do whatever works for you to get you warmed up. Research shows that imagining sexual stimulation can greatly heighten arousal and increase the likelihood of achieving an orgasm [7].
• Set the mood: You may want to find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed and feel comfortable. Lock the doors, turn off your notifications, draw the curtains, play your favorite sensual music, light a candle, or draw yourself a bubble bath. Treat this as a well-deserved self-care session.
• Don't rush yourself: While a quicky can be great, and there's a place and time for it, nipple orgasms may require a little bit more time and space. Especially if you're exploring it for the first time ever. So, give yourself enough time so you don't have to worry about the appointments you must go to, or work deadlines, in the middle of your solo play session.
• Consider including breathwork: Breathwork is commonly used in practices like tantric sex, and it's supposed to help strengthen the mind-to-body connection, which can, in turn, enhance the way we experience pleasure. You may want to focus on taking a couple of deep breaths as you explore. Whenever you find yourself rushing or your breathing turning shallow, pause and take a few deep breaths before continuing.
• Give yourself a breast massage: Use your hands and fingers to explore your breasts and the area surrounding them before you dive into direct nipple stimulation. Gently fondle, squeeze, draw large circles, or simply run your fingers up and down the breasts. Play with different intensities and speeds to find the rhythm that feels the best for you.
• Try different nipple stimulation techniques: Once you're warmed up, it's time to dive into nipple stimulation. There are many ways to stimulate the nipples, and while some may feel good, other techniques may not be for you. Try pinching the nipples between two fingers and applying different amounts of pressure. While pinching the nipples, roll them between your fingers back and forth, once more applying different pressures. Let go of the nipples and, using the pads of your finger, gently tap the nipples. Start slow and build up the speed. Pinch the nipples again and pull them before letting go. Try gentler at first, and then harder if it feels good. With the tip of your finger, start drawing a circle around the areola and slowly make your way closer to the center with each circle until you reach the very peak.
• Combine stimulations: You may want to mix and match these techniques, as alternating different types of stimulation can heighten the sensations. Also, consider adding other types of stimulation, such as clitoral play or even G-spot stimulation with your favorite toy to build arousal in your whole body.

How to give your partner a nipple orgasm

Nipple play can also be fun to explore with a partner. Whether you want to try it as a way to enhance foreplay or as the main course of partnered play, here are some things to try:

• Ask them what feels good: Just like with any kind of sexual exploration, communication is key. Ask what kind of touch they enjoy: soft, firm, teasing, or maybe somewhere in between. You may even want to use a 1-10 scale to gauge pressure and intensity ("How's this on a scale of 1 to 10?") as your partner's preferences when it comes to nipple stimulation can change depending on the hormones, mood, and arousal levels even.
• Turn your partner on: Nipple stimulation may feel more pleasurable if your partner is already aroused. Instead of treating nipple stimulation as foreplay, think of it as an extension of it that comes later. Kiss them, touch them, explore their other erogenous zones before you even lay a hand on their nipples. The more their body is turned on, the more sensitive their nipples may become, which can make the sensations much more intense.
• Explore their erogenous zones: Our bodies work like a system. Stimulating one area can heighten sensitivity elsewhere. Try tracing your fingers or tongue across other erogenous zones such as the neck, inner thighs, wrists, lower abdomen, hips, and behind their ears. This will create anticipation and build tension for your partner.
• Give them a full body massage: A full body massage can help your partner relax, get comfortable, and enter the sensual mindset. You may use a massage oil and glide your hands over their shoulders, arms, and back. Once the back is done, ask them to roll over and massage their chest, gradually circling closer to the nipples. Alternate between long, slow strokes and light teasing touches to create contrast and keep your partner guessing what's next.
• Use your mouth: Your lips, tongue, and gentle suction of your mouth can take nipple stimulation to the next level. Try flicking your tongue lightly over the nipple, circling around the areola, or gently sucking before pulling away. If your partner is okay with it, consider gently using your teeth to graze the intimate skin, adding a new type of sensation. The warmth and wetness of your mouth can create a unique sensation that's difficult to replicate. Make sure to keep the communication open to see which form of stimulation feels good.
• Use your hands: Your fingers can create a wide variety of sensations: soft caresses, pinches, rolls, and tugs. Experiment with using your thumb and forefinger to roll the nipple, gently pull before releasing, or pinch lightly and then harder. You may want to switch between hands and mouth for different textures and sensations.
• Combine stimulations: Pairing nipple stimulation with other kinds of touch can increase arousal throughout the whole body. Try stimulating your partner's nipples while you touch their intimate areas or go down on them. The combination of genital and nipple stimulation can amplify the pleasure and may even make a nipple orgasm more likely.
• Take your time: Arousal and orgasms aren't something to be rushed. So, give your partner time to settle in and allow yourself to explore your partner's body for as long as it feels good. Also, listen to your partner's body. If they're breathing faster, moaning, or arching towards you, that's your cue to keep going. If they tense up, or pull away, slow down or change your technique. Also, don’t forget to check in verbally from time to time, particularly if you’re unsure how your partner is feeling. Open, continuous communication is key to a pleasurable experience for all.

What if I can’t achieve a nipple orgasm?

If you tried nipple play and can't achieve an orgasm, know that it's okay. There's nothing wrong with you or your body if you haven't experienced nipple orgasm. All of our bodies are different, respond differently to sexual stimulation, and may experience pleasure differently.

An orgasm is a sudden release of built-up sexual energy. It's a complex phenomenon that depends on multiple things and can be influenced by:

• Stimulation of the body parts that have high concentrations of sensitive nerves
• Rhythmic sexual activity that builds sexual tension
• Emotional connectedness between partners [8]

It could be that nipple orgasms don't happen due to a lack of sufficient stimulation and arousal, because you may not be in the right mood and mindset, or not feel fully connected to your partner, among a number of other factors.

It could also be that nipple orgasms are elusive because you're putting too much pressure on yourself or your partner to experience one. It's not uncommon for orgasms not to happen when we focus too much on the end goal. So, instead of focusing on achieving a nipple orgasm, consider shifting your focus to enjoying the experience and sensations your body experiences as you explore solo or with a partner.

Other ways to intensify nipple play

Each of us will respond to different kinds of stimulation and nipple play, so if you're curious about exploring even more ways to enhance pleasure, consider experimenting with these techniques:

• Temperature play: Addition of cold and warm can fire up those sensitive nerve endings even more. You may try hot breath on the nipple or using ice cubes (if comfortable) on the area to elicit new sensations. If using stainless steel or borosilicate glass (a special kind of glass with high resistance to thermal shock, heat, and chemical agents) toys, you can place them in the fridge or warm water before play so they reach the desired temperature.
• Arousal serums: Most are designed either to offer cooling or warming sensations through active ingredients such as menthol (cooling) or cinnamon (warming). You can apply a small amount to the nipple, which may offer additional stimulation. Some arousal serums are edible, which means you can combine them with mouth play for extra sensations. Make sure you do a quick patch test on your wrist before you apply it to a super sensitive area like your nipple or clitoris.
• Introduce painful pleasure: Mixing pleasure with pain is something that some people may enjoy, and nipples can be a great area to experiment with. Before you explore it, have an honest and open conversation with your partner to make sure you’re both open to the idea and would enjoy something like it. Always discuss the boundaries, and maybe consider coming up with a safeword you and your partner can use during play if it becomes too much.. When you’re ready to experiment, you can use your fingers to pinch, or ask your partner to use their teeth (gently!) to nibble and bite the nipple and area around. Alternatively, you may want to invest in nipple clamps or suckers, which will allow for hands-free play.
• Try sex toys designed for nipple play: There are also tools available that help enhance nipple play, such as vibrating nipple clamps for more intense stimulation, or suction toys that mimic the sensation of your partner's mouth and tongue. Most often, these toys can offer a more intense pinching, rolling, and sucking sensations.

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