Frequently asked questions about nipple orgasms
Who is most likely to enjoy a nipple orgasm?
Anyone could benefit from the pleasure of nipple play, not to mention all the trickle-down perks from orgasms of any kind, like a mood boost and better sleep.
But a nipple orgasm might also be an especially accessible route to pleasure for those who struggle to have a genital orgasm. There are a bunch of possible reasons for that, Dr. Cobb points out, ranging from moral boundaries around genital stimulation, to the vaginal thinning of menopause, to certain chronic conditions (like vulvodynia) and medical treatments (like prior pelvic surgery or radiation).
These scenarios can make genital sex acts painful. Opting for nipple play instead can “trigger the same positive physiological and neurochemical response [of genital touch] while bypassing any pathology related to genital stimulation,” Dr. Cobb says.
Who might have trouble achieving a nipple orgasm?
If you’ve had breast surgery (a lift, reduction, lumpectomy, or mastectomy, for instance), you may not be able to experience a nipple orgasm, as these procedures can impact nipple sensation, Dr. Cobb notes. Changes in nipple sensitivity from hormonal shifts or breastfeeding can also influence how any kind of stimulation feels.
Separately, if you hold a negative association with this part of your body, stimulating it likely won’t feel pleasurable, Rowntree notes. That’s because the way you think about a sexual experience plays a huge role in how it ultimately feels.
Remember, if you fall into any of these buckets, or can’t enjoy a nipple orgasm for another reason, it’s certainly not a failure, Rowntree says: “All types of orgasms are valid, and erogenous zones and arousal are subjective across the board.”
What can you do if your nipple gets overstimulated?
Nipples are made up of delicate tissue and bundles of nerves, so it can definitely happen. First, pause what you’re doing, or tell your partner to do so—communicating directly is always better than hoping that they’ll read your nonverbal cues. If you’re otherwise feeling okay, you could move along to other erogenous zones, Rowntree says. Once things settle down, you can return to boob stuff, but if you do, Rowntree suggests keeping the stimulation light and avoiding direct nipple play.
