Everything You Need to Know About Nipple Play and the Nipple Orgasm

Without getting too scientific, it's been found that the pleasure we feel from nipple play can light up the same part of our brain as when we stimulate our genitals – so incorporating them in foreplay and sex can really add to the experience.

Now you're interested, let's jump into nipple play. But before we do, let's bust a myth.

Do men like to have their nipples played with?

Yes – the sensations that come from having your nipples played with are the same for both men and women. But just as some women can find nipple play irritating or painful rather than arousing and earth-shattering, men can also feel that way towards this type of stimulation, too, so it's best to ask first.

Many people also don't realise that the nipples are an erogenous zone for men, but they certainly can be – so keep in mind that the recommendations in this article apply to everyone who enjoys nipple play.

What is nipple play?

Nipple play is the act of stimulating the nipple in some way that the receiver experiences arousal and pleasure from it. It can be performed on its own or as part of foreplay as well as during sex.

Can anyone have a nipple orgasm?

In theory, yes – some people are so sensitive to nipple stimulation that they can experience a nipple-only orgasm, known as a nipplegasm.

There's no doubt that the clitoris and penis both have hundreds if not thousands more nerve endings than the nipples, but that's not to mean you can't have an orgasm purely from nipple play. It just means that a nipple orgasm might take a while longer to achieve.

Many people report that they have to be really in the mood or fully aroused to even try having a nipple orgasm, while others say that it comes easily. And just because some people can orgasm from nipple play alone doesn't mean that everyone can, so keep that in mind while you're exploring and experimenting and try to focus on the pleasure above anything else.

What does a nipple orgasm feel like?

Nipple orgasms feel different for everyone. For some, they last longer than genital orgasms and for others, they're short and sharp.

Because of where they're placed, many people describe a nipple orgasm as more of an all-over-the-body experience as opposed to being concentrated purely on the genital area. Some also say that nipple stimulation intensifies genital orgasms when the two are combined.

If your nipples are less sensitive, reaching climax could take longer, which can result in a more satisfying orgasm. For some, the fact that a nipple orgasm is a bit harder to achieve is titillating in itself.

For people who have periods, breasts and nipples can be more tender and sensitive during different stages of the menstrual cycle, which can make nipple play and nipple orgasms an entirely different experience.

How to stimulate nipples

To start with, try setting the scene to create the best environment – both physically and mentally – for a potential nipple orgasm. This could mean dimming the lights, lighting candles, putting music on or simply finding a comfortable position – whatever makes you most relaxed and ready to be aroused.

Now, get down to business. There are four main ways you can perform nipple play:

1. Hands and fingers

2. Mouth and tongue

3. Nipple clamps

4. Nipple suckers

Stimulating the nipples is all about touching and teasing the nerve endings in a way that's most pleasurable to you, so if you're trying nipple play for the first time and you're not sure what works, give these methods a go to see what you prefer

Let's run through each one in detail.

How to play with nipples using your hands

Your hands have the ability to provide everything from a gentle stroke to a tight pinch in one movement. If you're new to this, you're best off exploring everything you can do with your hands during nipple play before moving on to nipple toys. Here are some things you or your partner can try, in touch order from lightest to hardest:

Stroking: glide your fingertips over the areola (the area around your nipple) and nipple, focusing on the tip of the nipple all the way down to the belly and back up again.

Massaging: use your fingertips and maybe some oil or lube to rub a circular motion around the nipple and chest area, incorporating light squeezes of the nipple here and there.

Flicking: using your index finger, flick the end of the nipple as hard or as soft as you like.

Twisting: using your thumb and index finger, gently turn the nipple one way and then the other. If you discover that you like this feeling, try twisting slightly harder and faster.

Pinching: use your thumb and index finger and squeeze the nipple between them – this might hurt if you're not used to it so start off gently.

You can either follow these points to build up to orgasm or if you find that you like a couple of the sensations more than others, you can mix and match to create nipple play that's tailored to you or try nipple toys, which recreate the same sensations.

How to suck nipples

Nipple sucking stimulates blood flow to the nipple's tip, making it even more sensitive – a bit like what happens to a penis right before ejaculation.

You'll most likely need a partner to accomplish this step. To suck the nipples, your partner should draw the nipple into their mouth and begin sucking gently, increasing suction if required. To make it more pleasurable, your partner can lightly nibble the nipple, or they can use their tongue to flick the tip and lick around the nipple using circular motions.

Again, try a mixture of mouth techniques until you find the one that's right for you, communicating with your partner as you go.

And remember, this works on men, too!

How to use nipple clamps and suckers

While a vibrator can do the trick when it comes to sex toys for nipple play, some people don't like the vibrations on such a sensitive area. This is where nipple clamps and nipple suckers come in. Both of these nifty nipple toys draw blood to the nipple, making them super-sensitive when they've been removed.

We'd recommend using lube for both nipple clamps and nipple suckers, as this will intensify the sensation and keep the nipple comfortable. Below is a selection of Lovehoney customer faves:

How to use nipple clamps

Nipple clamps work by pinching the nipple, which applies direct stimulation to the area. If you're worried about the sound of a 'clamp', don't worry! Nipple clamps can be adjusted to be as firm or as soft as you want.

Nipple clamps come in different weights, materials and adjustment levels. Heavier types, like metal and weighted clamps, will squeeze your nipples more than lighter nipple clamps.

To use nipple clamps, try them out on a less sensitive area of your body first, like a finger or your ear lobe, then place the nipple clamp on the skin around the nipple area as well as on the tip to see what feels best. If you have adjustable clamps, you can play around with the strength, too. Take a look at a selection of our top-rated clamps below:

Nipple suckers usually resemble little tubes with a twisting mechanism to one end. To use a nipple sucker, place the base over the nipple to create a seal and twist the other end to create suction. This recreates the feeling of having your nipple sucked in person, especially when used with lube.

They're also an especially great nipple toy for those with inverted nipples. Take a look at our favorite suckers below: