Both women and men may feel sexual pleasure from the nipples and some may achieve an orgasm from stimulating the nipples. Combine the words together, nipple and orgasm. and you get another term – nipplegasm.
According to an article on womenshealthmag.com, Janet Brito, PhD, a sexologist and clinical psychologist, defines a nipple orgasm as “a pleasurable release of sexual arousal, centered on nipple stimulation and not caused by stimulating the clitoris [or penis] directly.” 1
“It’s an orgasm focused away from the genitals that incorporates nipple stimulation in some way shape or form,” according to Lisa Finn, a sex educator at sex toy mecca Babeland, in a shape.com article. 2
According to kinkly.com, “A nipplegasm is an orgasm caused by stimulation of a nipple or both nipples. It may occur through the practice of nipple play or other stimulation of the nipple or nipples, either with stimulation of other body parts or without. While they are more common in women, men can also have nipplegasms.” 3
Some people use devices, such as nipple clamps, vibrators, nipple suckers, and lube, to heighten sexual pleasure or try to achieve orgasm from stimulating the nipples. 4
The sourced articles below provide more information on nipples and orgasms.
Footnotes: 1. “How To Have A Nipple Orgasm You’ll Never Forget,” womenshealthmag.com, 10/18/2019; 2. “How to Explore Nipple Play During Solo and Partnered Sex,” shape.com, 5/22/2020; 3. “Definition – What does Nipplegasm mean?,” kinkly.com, accessed 11/20/2020 4. “How to Use Nipple Clamps and Suckers,” lovehoney.com, 9/18/2020; “The 11 Best Nipple Toys, Because They Deserve Their Own Drawer Of Options, Too,” womenshealthmag.com, 11/2/2019
- Sexual And Reproductive Anatomy
“You can also think of your skin as one big sex organ, with its millions of sensitive nerves. Parts of your body that when touched make you feel aroused are called ‘erogenous zones.’ Not everyone has the same erogenous zones, but common ones are breasts and nipples, the anus, neck, lips, mouth, tongue, back, fingers and toes, hands, feet, earlobes, and inner thighs. You get the idea: Any part of your body can be considered sexual depending on how it makes you feel.”
Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc., plannedparenthood.org, accessed 11/11/2020
- 15 Intense Male Orgasm Techniques That Will Put Him Over The Edge
“You might already know that your nipples are sensitive, perhaps sensitive enough that you can orgasm from nipple play alone. But men can have sensitive nipples, too! There’s no promise that any person can cum simply from nipple stimulation, but adding nipple play can switch things up and perhaps add to the intensity”
Adriana, badgirlsbible.com, 11/10/2020
- Let’s Talk About ‘Nipplegasms’
“A study conducted by the Journal of Sexual Medicine shows that having your nipples stimulated can ignite the same part of the brain as the clitoris, cervix, and vagina. I think many of us knew it felt fantastic, but didn’t realize it could actually lead to the big ‘O.'”
Katie Bingham-Smith, scarymommy.com, 10/24/2020
- Ask Chantelle: ‘My Friend Says She Can Come From Nipple Play Alone. How Is This Possible?’
“Now… for extra stimulation, why don’t you try using adjustable nipple clamps? (Adjustable because you should be able to control how tight they are). Often these come with a chain attaching the clamps which you or your partner can pull on…Another trick is using a clitoral vibrator over the nipple to bring the good vibes.”
Chantelle Otten, mamamia.com.au, 10/12/2020
- How To Give Yourself A Nipple Orgasm: A Guide To Sensational Nipple Stimulation
“Although clitoral and vaginal orgasms are more commonly known, there’s also such a thing as a nipple orgasm. All nipples are different, but with the right techniques and mindset, some people are able to orgasm from nipple stimulation.”
Olga Adereyko, MD, flo.health, updated on 9/23/2020
- Are Nipple Orgasms Real?
“The good news is that anyone with nipples (regardless of gender) has the potential to experience nipple orgasms. However, a breast reduction, breast implants, or nipple piercings can diminish nipple sensitivity. Don’t fret if you find yourself unable to have nipple orgasms on their own, but perhaps give yourself a little more time with your breasts and nipples before you rule it out as an option or an augment to your already steamy sexy time.”
Dr. Kate Balestrieri, Licensed Psychologist, Certified Sex Therapist, PACT II Couples Therapist, and founder of @themodernintimacy, poosh.com, 9/16/2020
- 6 Types Of Orgasms You Didn’t Know You Could Have
“Nipple Orgasm…Nipples are well-known erogenous zones, but that women may have the ability to reach orgasm through intentional stimulation isn’t such common knowledge. A wealth of research dating back to the early ’50s, like one published in 2011 in the journal Sexual and Relationship Therapy, suggests that nipple stimulation can indeed lead to orgasm.”
AnnaMarie Houlis, sheknows.com, 7/31/2020
- Nipple Orgasm: How To Have An Orgasm From Nipple Play
“If you and your partner would like to, you could also incorporate sex toys such as nipple clamps and vibrators, and experiment with different warming lubes, oils and lotions. Bondage is also a great addition to this kind of play, suggests GOTN [anonymous sex blogger and expert Girl On The Net]”
Rosie Saunder, Medically reviewed by Dr Roger Henderson, netdoctor.co.uk, 7/31/2020; (Broken link removed 4/2024)
- How To Have A Nipple Orgasm
“Others might find the sensation too intense or even painful. It’s like any other sex act or form of masturbation. It’s a matter of taste and preference. Still, it is 100% worth the effort to see how you feel about it.”
Mayla Green, theadulttoyshop.com, 5/18/2020
- How To Give A Woman A Nipple Orgasm
“Most partners falsely believe that all orgasms start below the waist. But as you’ll come to see, this isn’t true. A woman’s nipples have millions of nerve endings, each of can deliver pleasure. By stimulating her nipples, you can make her climax in the same way that she would if you were stimulating her clitoris or G-spot.”
Laura Rose Halliday, sex researcher, founder, schoolofsquirt.com, 4/14/2020
- Nipple Orgasms: Are They Real?
“Even though nipple orgasms are totally achievable, thinking of them as a goal can take the fun out of them. Try to let go of the outcome and enjoy exploring nipple pleasure, whether it leads to an orgasm or not. The only way to get to an orgasm, after all, is to experience pleasure.”
Suzannah Weiss, lelo.com, 4/3/2020
- Mapping The Male Urogenital System
“Investigators used functional MRI to map primary somatosensory cortical responses to self-stimulation of the penis shaft, glans, testicles, scrotum, rectum, urethra, prostate, perineum and nipple….The observations of the neural response to urogenital self-stimulation in this study increase our understanding of the sexual response in men and could help identify targets for treating urogenital and sexual arousal disorders.”
Louise Stone, Nature Reviews Urology, nature.com, 2/13/2020
- How To Have An Orgasm Just From Nipple Play: A Step-By-Step Guide
“Yes, you can have an orgasm just from nipple play. Nipples can be very sensitive for some people, particularly for those with clitorises. MRI scans have shown nipple stimulation activates the same nerve cortex as clitoral and genital stimulation; your brain essentially can’t tell the difference.”
Psalm Isadora, Tantric Sex Educator, mindbodygreen.com, 12/23/2019
- Nipple Orgasms!
“Some women can’t orgasms from nipple play and that is absolutely OK, nothing is wrong with your nipples. You just have to find the area that does do it for you, excluding your clit. The nipple has lots of nerve endings just like a clitoris does among other erogenous zones such as lips, ears, and neck. So if you’re not into nipple play don’t force it.”
SheOrgasms, sheorgasms.com, 11/21/2019
- Why Does Nipple Sucking Feel Good? Plus 6 Tips To Make It Feel Even Better
“Here are some nipple-sucking tips
1. Be anatomically aware …
2. Experiment with intensity …
3. Use your tongue …
4. Change the temperature …
5. Add toys …
6. Tease with your teeth…”
E.A. Klein, Medically reviewed by Louise Bourchier, MPH, o.school, 10/23/2019
- How To Have A Nipple Orgasm: 23 Tips For You And Your Partner
“A lot of what we see in pop culture suggests that the only way women can orgasm is by stimulating the vaginal area. But that’s not true — not by a long shot. It’s possible for a woman to orgasm without ever touching their genitals. That’s where erogenous zones like the nipples come in.”
Annamarya Scaccia, Medically reviewed by Janet Brito, Ph.D., LCSW, CST, healthline.com, updated on 10/10/2019
- Closing The Orgasm Gap
“The Nipple orgasm can occur from breast stimulation as the nipple is an erogenous zone for many people and can lead to incredible orgasms. For men and women, nipple play is rewarding foreplay. A study showed that nipple stimulation enhanced sexual arousal in 82% of women and 52% of men.”
Rockville ObGyn Doctor, rockvilleobgyndoctor.com, 1/6/2019
- Addressing Sexual Activity Of Elders
“Sexual stimulation from the nipples, clitoris, and vulva may decrease with age due to a decrease in sensation.”
Helene L. Lohman and Alexandria Kobrin, sciencedirect.com, 2019; (Broken link removed 10/2023)
- A Beginner’s Guide To Getting Into Nipple Play
“I wanted an easy, accessible lesson in nipple masturbation. Anne Hodder, an L.A.-based sex educator, was kind enough to offer some guidance, though she began with a crucial disclaimer: Nipple play isn’t for everyone, and some people have ‘crazy-sensitive’ nips to the point of pain while others barely feel anything. (So please, please make sure to check in with your partner first.)”
Maria Yagoda, vice.com, 3/27/2018
- What Scientists Actually Know About Nipples
“Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) research shows that nipple stimulation in women lights up the same parts of the brain as vaginal, clitoral, and cervix stimulation. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that contact is always read as erotic — though it seems like it often is.”
Lauren Vinopal, fatherly.com, 1/6/2018
- How To Stimulate This Underrated Erogenous Zone
“There are hundreds of nerve endings on a person’s nipple, which makes them extremely sensitive to the touch and susceptible to pleasure, explains Shannon Chavez, PsyD, a certified clinical sexologist. Research has shown that nipple stimulation can mimic the same action and chemical response in the brain that’s caused by genital stimulation.”
Cory Stieg, refinery29.com, 9/21/2017
- 7 Ways To Have An Out-Of-Control Nipple Orgasm (Aka Nipplegasm)
“‘More importantly, not everyone will experience a nipplegasm, so don’t feel pressure if you don’t find nipple stimulation arousing to the point of orgasm…’ says sexologist Dr. Jess O’Reilly.”
Aly Walansky, yourtango.com, 12/12/2016