How to have a nipple orgasm

“Nipple orgasms work to expand people’s understanding and awareness of their pleasure, their sexuality and what they like.”

If increasing the number of orgasms you have is a 2022 New Year’s resolution then you’ll be pleased to hear that nipple orgasms are a thing (or maybe you already knew?). Nipple orgasms or ‘nipplegasms’ are orgasms that are provoked by nipple stimulation.

If you’re anything like me and your idea of an orgasm was strictly limited to genital stimulation, then perhaps it’s time to tie a sock to your doorknob, grab your favourite sex toy and indulge in some much-needed alone time. To get some tips and tricks of the nipplegasm trade, I spoke to Australian sex coach, Georgia Grace. “As the name suggests, a nipple orgasm is a result of stimulation of the breast or nipples that leads to a peak moment of pleasure,” she tells me.

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If you’re a sceptic, a 2011 study revealed that stimulating someone’s nipples activates the same part of their brain that’s activated when stimulating the genitals – a part of the brain called the ‘genital sensory cortex’. “This is a moment in science that really shows us what lots of people have been experiencing for years,” Georgia says. 

How do you have a nipple orgasm?

Like most things to do with sexuality and our bodies, it’s different for everyone. The good news is, anyone and everyone can (if you like it) get off to nipple play, not just cis-gendered women with breasts. Anyone who identifies that nipple play might be arousing or pleasurable to them can give it a go and start to integrate it into their sexual experiences. 

But like any other way of experiencing orgasms, Georgia says the first thing to do is to remove the pressure of climaxing. “If you’re sitting there really staring at your nipples trying to make yourself climax from that, that might take you out of your body and into your head,” she says. Basically, it will happen if it happens and enjoy the journey, not the destination. 

And how about some practical tips? “Start slow – that could be starting with a breast massage, or you could explore direct stimulation whether that’s with your fingers or your nails. Maybe you’re using some body-safe lubes, there are some amazing breast oils out there at the moment and just intend to explore pleasure.

“If you were doing it with someone else that might involve kissing, sucking, licking [and] having someone else touch you there. You may also look at just integrating nipple play into other forms of stimulation. Say for example you’re having penetrative or oral sex, you may choose to also incorporate nipple stimulation at the same time.” This can also help you achieve a ‘blended orgasm’, which Georgia tells me occurs “when you stimulate more than just one androgynous zone at once”.

Why a nipple orgasm?

While nipple stimulation on its own only causes some people to reach climax, nipple play can aid the intensity of most people’s orgasms.  

“When you experience a new form of orgasm or some kind of stimulation it is really exciting. It can feel really radical and fun for you and that’s what makes sex so transformative for so many people. You can experience these amazing, incredibly pleasurable, full-bodied experiences, and it can change how you feel and think about your body and pleasure,” explains Georgia. 

Georgia tells me that nipple orgasms also help us challenge the belief that sex solely involves penetration and our genitals and moves us towards a more fluid approach to sex. “[Nipple orgasms] work to expand people’s understanding and awareness of their pleasure, their sexuality and what they like. Pleasure is really good for you, whether you’re experiencing that pleasure from your nipples, your genitals, your neck or your hands, it’s a really powerful thing for humans to explore, experience and want…

“Not all people like penetration or want penetrative sex and when you can know that you want to explore, or are curious to explore something else, it allows you to really change those scripts that sex should be a penetrative thing and [helps you realise] that it can be so many other things,” Georgia says.  

Nipple play can also be a source of relaxation or downregulation, and some people incorporate breast massage or other forms of play with mindful breathing. Because your heart is in your chest, listening to your heartbeat can be relaxing.

“It can also be quite healing for people – whether you have a scar, or you’ve had breast cancer, or you’ve had not-so-great experiences with your breasts, whether they’ve been sexualised or been touched or looked at. It’s really commonly known in society that [nipples] are really sexualised and usually consumed for other people’s pleasure. It can be an act of resistance to massage and stimulate your body for your own pleasure,” Georgia explains.

What if a nipple orgasm isn’t for me?

That’s very normal – not everyone has the same yums. “Some people love it, some people will enjoy it, but it may not feel orgasmic, and other people are not interested in it all. This is just another way to enjoy pleasure with your body,” Georgia says.

This article was originally published on January 22, 2022.

For more tips on how to achieve a nipple orgasm head here.