By Molly Burford
Sexual health is important for your overall health and well-being. Sexual health encompasses everything from getting routinely screened for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to simply knowing what you like in the bedroom. One way to improve your sex life is by knowing your erogenous zones.
Essentially, an erogenous zone is any part of the body that can trigger sexual arousal when touched.1 For example, the nape of your neck or your wrist can potentially elicit pleasurable feelings when stimulated. That said, everyone’s erogenous zones are different.
Knowing both your and your partner’s erogenous zones will enhance your sexual experiences. This article will discuss what you need to know about erogenous zones.
Why Are Erogenous Zones Stimulating?
Certain areas of the body, including the erogenous zones, have a higher density of touch receptors. This is why your fingertips are more sensitive to touch than your elbow. Touch receptors respond to touch and convey the information via your nervous system to an area of the brain called the somatosensory cortex. Not only does the somatosensory cortex process sensory information, but it’s also involved in regulating our emotions and moods.2
Immediate Gratification vs. Foreplay
When it comes to sex, the build-up is everything. While reaching orgasm immediately may sound appealing to some, foreplay is a crucial component for both reaching orgasm and experiencing one to its fullest potential. Try using slow, erotic touching to explore your and your partner’s erogenous zones and build arousal.
Nerve Bundles
Nerves are the nervous system’s main communicators, carrying electrical signals to and from different parts of the body. A collection of nerve endings is known as a nerve bundle. Erogenous zones are thought to contain many nerve bundles, which is why they are so sensitive to touch.
Non-Genital Zones
Everyone is different, but in general, these are believed to be the most common non-genital erogenous zones:3
- Head and hair
- Eyes and temples
- Cheeks
- Mouth/lips
- Ears
- Nape of neck
- Shoulder blades
- Upper back
- Upper arms
- Breasts/chest
- Nipples
- Stomach
- Belly button
- Forearms
- Wrists
- Hands
- Fingers
- Sides
- Lower back
- Hips
- Outer thighs
- Buttocks
- Back of thighs
- Inner thighs
- Pubic hairline
- Behind knees
Below the Waist
When it comes to genital erogenous zones, the most common include:3
Try Solo-Play
Solo-play, aka masturbation, is a great way to explore your sexuality, learn about your body, and become in-tune with what you might enjoy during partnered sex. After taking time to learn about your bodies individually, you can decide to give mutual masturbation a go.
Some tips for a healthy masturbation practice include:
- Washing hands before and after
- Keeping nails clean
- Avoiding eye area while masturbating
- Not sharing sex toys
- Properly cleaning sex toys after each use
Summary
Erogenous zones are parts of the body that trigger sexual arousal when stimulated. These include both genital and non-genital areas.
Knowing your and your partner’s non-genital erogenous zones can help enhance your sex life. But, of course, everybody will have different erogenous zones, which is why exploration, partnered or otherwise, can be helpful.
Communicating with your sexual partners about each other’s preferences is absolutely key to a safe, happy, and healthy sex life.
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