Nipple play is the practice of touching, rubbing, or sucking on the nipples during sex. This can excite some people during sex. Usually, people use their hands for this, but there are sex toys called nipple clamps that some feel heightens the erotic sensation. For some people, nipple play can lead to orgasm.
What Are Other Names for Nipple Play?
Nipple play can also be called nipple stimulation, breast play, or breast stimulation. But nipple play is a sexual term and nipple stimulation is not always sexual.
Nipple play may include biting, sucking, touching (roughly or gently), and rubbing the nipples and areola (the area around the nipple). It may include erotic pain and can be a regular part of a bondage and discipline (BDSM) relationship. The amount of stimulation that’s comfortable varies from person to person.
Nipple play vs. nipple stimulation
Nipple stimulation isn’t just about sex, and it doesn’t usually involve pain. It refers to touching your nipples or your partner’s nipples in a gentle, soothing way.
Nipple stimulation can also help women:
You can explore nipple play and nipple stimulation alone or with a partner.
Why Does Nipple Play Feel Good?
Nipples have many sensitive nerve endings that, when stimulated, trigger the same parts of the brain that are activated with genital stimulation (touching the reproductive organs outside the body). Nipple play can be used as foreplay or as the main sexual activity. While many people believe that orgasms always come from genital stimulation, it’s possible for people to have orgasms from nipple play alone.
Pain does not have to be a part of nipple play, but for many people, it is. If you are in a bondage and discipline (BDSM) relationship, you may give or receive pain as part of sex. People who identify as dominant, submissive, or switch may enjoy nipple play, even if it is painful.
How to Explore Nipple Play (Solo or With a Partner)
To explore nipple play alone, start by touching or rubbing your nipples during masturbation. You may want to use a lubricant to avoid irritating your nipples during a long nipple play session.
If you would like your partner to stimulate your nipples during sex, talk to them about your needs and expectations before you begin. Make sure everyone feels comfortable using nipple play during sex.
If you are exploring nipple play as part of a BDSM relationship, make sure your partner knows your safe word — the word said to stop activities — and has your full consent (approval). If you’re using nipple clamps, make sure that you and your partner can remove them quickly if the pain is too much.
Nipple Stimulation for Different Genders
Nipple play isn’t just for women. In a survey of 300 men and women, more than half of the male respondents said that nipple stimulation caused or increased their sexual arousal (compared to about 82% of women). But only about 17% of those men have requested nipple stimulation from their partners (compared to nearly 60% of women).
What if You Don’t Like Nipple Play?
Nipple play may not be for everyone. The same survey mentioned above found that around 7.5% of both men and women said that nipple stimulation actually decreased their sexual arousal. In fact, some people may experience a condition known as "sad nipple syndrome" when their nipples are stimulated. Sad nipple syndrome is a phenomenon in which people experience sudden and intense feelings of sadness, doom, anxiety, or dread when their nipples are stimulated, even in nonsexual situations. These emotions last only for a few minutes.
If you are not interested in nipple play, be sure to communicate your desires with your partner and redirect their attention elsewhere.
Nipple Sensitivity and Safety Considerations
Discharge from your nipples might be a sign of a more serious health problem. A common issue concerning nipple discharge is cancer.
If you’re pregnant, you should avoid vigorous nipple stimulation. Touching your nipples or massaging them releases the hormone oxytocin, which is often given to start or speed up contractions. Light nipple play should be safe, but having your partner suck on your nipples could cause contractions.
Some common signs of labor are:
- Feeling your baby drop down into your pelvis (also called lightening)
- Passing a mucus plug that may be bloody
- Having a clear discharge from your vagina
- Feeling tightness or pain in your uterus or midsection (contractions)
If you have any of these symptoms during or after nipple play, call your doctor or go to the emergency room.
Takeaways
Nipple play is the practice of touching, rubbing, or sucking on nipples during sex. Sometimes, nipple play is called nipple stimulation, but there is a difference. Nipple stimulation is not always sexual. Nipple play is enjoyed by both men and women. The amount of stimulation that’s comfortable varies from person to person.
Nipple Play FAQs
Does nipple play cause cancer?
No. This is a common breast cancer myth. Nipple play (or any form of nipple stimulation) does not cause cancer.
Does nipple play increase estrogen?
Nipple play doesn’t increase estrogen levels. But it does trigger the release of another hormone, oxytocin, which is associated with sexual arousal.
Are female nipples more sensitive than male nipples?
Yes, it is generally believed that women’s nipples are more sensitive than men’s. A study of cadavers found that women had nerves spread more widely throughout their breast tissue than men.
