What is an erogenous zone?
An erogenous zone is a body part that gives sexual pleasure when stimulated. Some people (including Monica Geller on Friends) claim there are 7 erogenous zones on the human body. But there are actually a lot more. Some of these zones include the genitals (e.g., a woman's clitoris and a man's penis and testicles), but other zones are far away from and completely unrelated to intercourse. Yet, when they're tickled, stroked, or even just touched, they often make a person feel more sexually aroused.
Primary Erogenous Zones
Mouth and lips Did you know that the lips are the human body's most sensitive part? With over 1 million nerve endings, it should come as no surprise that scientists have mapped it as one of the primary erogenous zones for both sexes. Kissing is usually the best way to stimulate it for your partner, but you can also brush your fingertips over their mouth. You can even try placing a finger in your partner's mouth and letting them suck on it, if that's something you're both interested in doing.
Neck The neck is one of the most popular erogenous zones among men and women. One study showed that women, in particular, enjoy being touched on the back (the nape) and front (the throat) of their necks. Gently grasp, tickle, stroke, kiss, or lick these areas to boost sexual desire in your female partner.
Ears Human ears are equipped with 25,000 nerve endings. This makes them particularly sensitive to different kinds of touch that people tend to do during intercourse. Those include: breathing on the ear; licking, kissing, or sucking the earlobes; and massaging the ear.
Breasts and nipples The breast, chest, and nipple areas of the human body make up a powerful erogenous zone for both sexes. In a survey of men's and women's responses to stimulation of their breasts and nipples during intercourse, both sexes reported that it intensified their pleasure. It was especially pleasurable for the female respondents, 81.5% of whom said it caused or enhanced their sexual arousal. Stimulate these areas for your partner by massaging, stroking, kissing, or sucking on them. You might also try pinching or twisting their nipples (with their consent).
Buttocks Researchers have found that both men and women love being touched on their buttocks while having sex. Men also tend to get pleasure from the act of touching their partner in that area. Massage, kiss, and lick your partner's buttocks to help them feel arousal from this zone.
Inner thighs The skin of the inner thighs is sensitive and also close to another important erogenous zone, the genitals. This is probably why most people rate it as one of the most arousing areas to be touched. Stroke or tickle your partner's inner thighs with your fingers to activate their sexual pleasure.
Genitals This erogenous zone actually includes several separate but related body parts. On women, it's comprised of the clitoris (the organ that helps women have an orgasm), the vagina, and the perineum (the area between the genitals and the anus). Men feel it in their perineum, too, but also in their penis and scrotum.
Secondary Erogenous Zones
Scalp Human hair follicles contain nerve endings that detect the direction the hairs are moving. These nerve endings send more signals to the brain when they're caressed in an enjoyable way. That's why stroking, combing, lightly scratching, and sometimes even tugging on the scalp feels so pleasurable—and arousing—for some people.
Lower abdomen While not everyone feels sexual pleasure from being touched, tickled, or kissed on their abdomen near their belly button, others find it incredibly arousing. That's not surprising, considering how close this area is to the genitals. It's also fetishized by many different cultures, including in the United States, possibly because it's considered immodest not to cover it up.
Small of the back Men and women also tend to enjoy being stimulated on the small of their back. This is the lower part of the back above the buttocks.Try tickling, stroking, or massaging there to give your partner a relaxing, pleasurable sensation.
Back of the thigh The back of the thigh is a hot spot for sexual arousal. Both men and women tend to enjoy being stimulated in this area. While women seem to prefer being touched, studies suggest men prefer touching these areas on their partner more.
Back of the knee The back of the knee may not be the first erogenous zone that comes to your mind, but you may want to try stimulating it for your partner. This area is surprisingly sensitive, so tickling or stroking it may help your partner relax and feel more amorous.
Fingers and toes Some people enjoy having their fingers or toes (or both) licked, kissed, and sucked. Others like the sensation of having their partner's digits in their mouths. These are also great areas to massage, especially if your partner has an office job or a standing job where they use their hands and feet a lot.
Other Erogenous Zones
Anywhere on the human body can be felt as an erogenous zone. Most people feel sexually aroused when they're touched in a few common areas, like the lips, ears, neck, breasts, and genitals. But the truth is that any body part can be an erogenous zone—or not. It depends entirely on each individual and their sexual preferences. Some may, for example, enjoy being sexually stimulated in these areas of the body: EXPERT TIP Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW Psychotherapist Kelli Miller is a Psychotherapist based in Los Angeles, California. Kelli specializes in individual and couples therapy focusing on relationships, depression, anxiety, sexuality, communication, parenting, and more. She is the author of “Love Hacks: Simple Solutions to Your Most Common Relationship Issues” which details the top 15 relationship issues and 3 quick solutions to each. She is also the award-winning and best-selling author of “Thriving with ADHD”. Kelli co-hosted an advice show on LA Talk Radio and was a relationship expert for The Examiner. She received her MSW (Masters of Social Work) from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Sociology/Health from the University of Florida. Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW Psychotherapist Ask your partner what turns them on. Sometimes we forget that everyone has different preferences for what makes them feel sexually aroused. On the other side, it's important to tell your partner what you like because they have no idea unless you tell them. Shoulders Cheeks and temples Upper arms Forearms Wrists Elbows Calves Shins Feet
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