The stimulation of erogenous zones takes sex to intensely gratifying levels, and some of them can contribute to having an orgasm. A reported 12% of women are able to orgasm from stimulation of nongenital erogenous zones alone. However, just because not every part of the body is felt as erogenous for everyone doesn’t mean that there are parts of the body that can be labeled “nonerogenous.” A 2016 study1 found that practically every single part of the body could be considered an erogenous zone during partnered sex. This zone can also be stimulated through the use of a metal scalp massager with prongs, suggests Lori Lawrenz, PsyD, a clinical psychologist with a specialization in sexual health. “Use alone or with a partner to stimulate the scalp and send tingles throughout your body,” she says. He recommends stimulating them with your fingers, lips, or tongue. You can also have your favorite music or even audio erotica on for a different kind of stimulation! To stimulate, Graveris says this area is perfect for some temperature play, for example by using a hot washcloth or an ice cube on the area as a lead-up to oral sex. He suggests slowly brushing the area with your fingernails, tickling it with something light like a feather or satin cloth, or simply using your lips and tongue. If you want something a little more hard-core, he also suggests using a bullet vibrator to stimulate the area. He suggests lightly touching your partner between their wrist and elbow and then keep running up toward the armpit. If that feels too ticklish for them, you can massage the area for a less intense sensation. “Armpits get a bad rap because of the odors they emit, but for some of us, armpits are not only erogenous to smell but can also be erogenous to play with!” says sexologist Marla Renee Stewart, M.A. “Kissing and teasing the armpit can be sexy for you, especially because it is a zone that doesn’t get touched often, so it’s more sensitive than a lot of the areas on the body.” If you’re new to foot play, Zrenchik encourages approaching the area with creativity and confidence. He recommends alternating between soft and firm touch and using the mouth, tongue, fingers, and even genitals to stimulate the feet. “This area demands some experimentation, and the results can be explosive. Reflexologists know that the feet [are] full of pressure points that, when stimulated correctly, can radiate relief, pleasure, and erotic energy throughout the whole body,” he adds. “The brain is truly where all the magic happens. Keeping your partner’s mind bathed in sensual pleasure will yield fantastic results,” Zrenchik says. “The brain is, well, the brains of the whole sexual operation. It receives data, sends signals down the body, releases love hormones (dopamine, serotonin), and instructs the body to respond. Keep the brain happy, and the body will respond.” How to do that? Anything from watching erotica to setting the right sexual context—as well as clearing out stressors like relationship issues—can all help. As with everything to do with sex, communication is key to clit exploration. Gently guide your partner as to how you like to be touched. For those who want a little guidance on how to touch their partner’s clitoris, Zrenchik recommends starting with light touch around the clitoris first. “Watch how your partner responds. If you both want to go further, move closer to the clitoris itself, while maintaining light touch with your mouth, lips, tongue, and fingers,” he says. “If you both want to try direct stimulation, go for it, but go slow and soft at first.” Some people experience that their clitoris is not particularly sensitive. If this is the case for you, you might find that a sensation-enhancing product applied directly to the clit area can help. (Here are some clitoral suction toys and clit pumps for some more inspo.) You can try licking, stroking, squeezing, and caressing the area. Observe your partner carefully to see what works, and ask them for honest feedback. In order to stimulate the cervix, you’ll need a toy or a penis to penetrate you vaginally, as fingers can’t typically reach. Massage against the cervical opening (you can’t and shouldn’t penetrate it) with the toy or penis until you begin to feel waves of pleasure. “Any attempt to stimulate this area depends on a sufficient level of arousal,” Harrison notes. So make sure you’re warmed up before diving in. “Using a curved dildo or G-spot vibrator is your best bet,” instructs Graveris. “Apply ample lube. Use your finger or toy in an upward curve toward your navel and use a come-hither motion. Try different pressures and sensations. Then, once you find the best one, keep at it until the sensations build up and take over your body.” He also recommends that you adapt the toy you choose to your level of sensitivity. Look for a toy made of soft silicone instead of firm glass, for example, if you need something gentler. Furthermore, consider a rabbit-style vibrator, which stimulates your clitoris at the same time as your G-spot. This can make it much more pleasurable. “If you have a partner, you can let them use their lubed hands and tease the tip by encircling their fingers around it. Then, they can rub their wet lips over the fleshy head, use their tongue around the rim, and finally take the glans by mouth.” For those who are intensely turned on by this erogenous zone, a ball stretcher might be a fun option to enhance pleasure. “Keep in mind the anus can stretch a lot more than people realize,” he adds. Whatever you insert into your butt should have a flared base, to prevent it from being sucked inside you!
