While clitoral and vaginal orgasms might get all the attention, nipple orgasms are another legit way to explore your partner's pleasure in bed. Here, three anonymous women open up about what it’s like to experience nipple-only orgasms.

How did you first discover you could orgasm through nipple stimulation?

Woman A: My family was on a vacation and there was porn on the TV in the hotel. I just tried what I saw and discovered that it felt good.

Woman B: Through foreplay and experimentation with my first boyfriend. We were both very inexperienced at the time and neither of us had had previous sexual partners, so we were exploring each other's bodies. It was a case of "How does this feel? And this?" There was a build-up of pleasure. It was gradual, but quite powerful, so by the time, I orgasmed I wasn't too surprised. I was honestly quite pleased afterward! As far as I'm concerned, it's a brilliant thing — just another way to achieve pleasure.

Woman C: My partner was playing with my breasts far more gently than people normally would. The initial build-up was boring: his touch seemed too soft. I was about to "make helpful suggestions," then I realized I was about to orgasm. We were both shocked.

How old were you when this happened?

Woman A: 12ish years old.

Woman B: Around 18.

Woman C: I was 22.

How do your nipple orgasms compare to genital orgasms? What does it feel like?

Woman A: Both feel so amazing! Orgasming is awesome! Nipple orgasms take more time, so I do them to myself at different times of day, depending on how much time I have. My partner and I mostly have intercourse, so it’s mainly from me touching my nipples.

Woman B: The two do feel different. I don't think nipple orgasms last as long as genital orgasms, and the "wave" feeling I get from genital stimulation is not as pronounced — nipple orgasms feel sharper and shorter, I suppose. However, I do feel more sensitive in my genital area when I have a nipple orgasm.

Woman C: Very similar, but with a glandular sensation in the breasts, almost like they're swollen.

Do you prefer it?

Woman A: I enjoy it as foreplay or entirely just nipple play. Sometimes I start by touching my nipples and it just feels so amazing I keep going and have an orgasm. Other times, I start by touching my nipples and then my clit—then I have an orgasm. Also, sometimes I play with my nipples and then go find my boyfriend to see if he is in the mood.

Woman B: Most of the time, no — generally I prefer genital stimulation. But I like the additional variety it provides!

Woman C: It's not as reliably achievable as a genital orgasm, so it's special. It's only happened for me about four times, with two different partners.

How long does it take?

Woman A: Touching my nipples until I orgasm takes about 20 minutes. It’s a gradual process. It begins with my shirt on, and then I take it off. It’s complex and takes patience. It’s fabulous. If I play with my nipples for 10 minutes, then I move onto my clit, I usually orgasm in 2-3 mins because it feels beyond amazing. Also, to note, when I have sex, for foreplay, my favorite order is this: 1) nipple play 2) clit play 3) then sex. Nipple play is the best foreplay because it makes me super wet for sex.

Woman B: I honestly don't know how long it takes, but I guess around the same time as it would take me to come from stimulating my clitoris.

Woman C: Not too long. Five minutes, maybe?

Are you more likely to come through nipple stimulation or genital stimulation? (Or something else altogether?)

Woman A: Both. When having sex, I like my first orgasm to be through nipple or clit play. Then if I don’t orgasm while we have sex, I don’t mind. If the man is really fast, he ejaculates shortly after beginning to have sex—my boyfriend is like that now, and I love him! I just have to meet my own needs at other times.

Woman B: More often genital stimulation.

Woman C: Genital stimulation.

Why do you think that is?

Woman A: Nipple play is so unique, it takes a lot of patience and care. Sometimes I do a warm oil self massage (an ancient practice in Ayurveda ), and it feels great.I wonder if more people would play with their nipples, but feel a barrier to sharing or talking openly about it.

Woman B: I think because I have to be very aroused before I can orgasm through nipple stimulation, so it's not usually a part of foreplay. It's also more susceptible to my general mood and energy levels, so it's not a regular part of sex for me.

Woman C: I need to be incredibly relaxed if I'm going to orgasm from nipple play; otherwise I overthink it and can't get there.

Are there particular types of stimulation that work better for you or make it more likely that you will come?

Woman A: If my clit is being stimulated while I’m having sex, my orgasm comes sooner and stronger. Some positions don’t have that, some do.

Woman B: Depending on my mood and how sensitive I'm feeling, either firm pinching or a sort of massaging of the nipple area.

Woman C: It's hard to describe. I can't make myself orgasm through stimulating my own breasts. Generally, incredibly soft touches that progress toward the nipples are most successful.



Do you find your nipples are more sensitive at certain times of the month?

Woman A: Sometimes. Before my period, my nipples are more tender, so I adjust my touch. If I use nipple toys, sometimes they’re more sore.

Woman B: This was definitely the case when I was not on the Pill. Just before and at the start of my period, my breasts would be extremely sensitive, and orgasms from nipple stimulation were actually more intense than genital stimulation. This has faded since I began taking oral contraception and is no longer as noticeable.

Woman C: They're more sensitive when I am pre-menstrual, and I'm more likely to come then too.

How do your partner(s) feel about this ability that you have? Do they get into it too?

Woman A: My partner was close-minded the first time I tried to share it, and I was shot down. I have just kept it my thing.

Woman B: It has varied. Some people have found it really exciting; others have enjoyed it simply because I enjoyed it and would otherwise not be as interested.

Woman C: They don't like the idea that an ex could make me orgasm in a way they can't.

Do you think it's possible to train yourself to be able to orgasm from nipple stimulation alone? How?

Woman A: Just be patient with yourself. There’s a wave you ride up and down. It takes time and inner focus to build yourself up there. My hands and fingers get tired sometimes, so then I’ll stop and just go to bed. Try it for a few days, you’ll get better at it.

Woman B: I'm not sure. I would hazard a guess that it's a little like whether women can orgasm from penetration alone or not. I believe it's certainly possible to enhance your sensitivity. That being said, if you can do that, and nipple stimulation is part of a wider sex life, then how exactly the orgasms happen doesn't necessarily matter!

Woman C: I guess anything is possible! But people should enjoy their sex lives without putting pressure on themselves.

Do you have any tips for people wanting to experiment more with nipple play?

Woman A: Watch videos and play with yourself. Explore your own body and then try with your partner. Talk openly—or even sign a contract—about what is okay and what isn’t fair game. If you’re exploring, buy a few nipple toys. Let go of judgement and listen to your breathing. Be gentle with yourself while learning.

Woman B: Have a partner who really likes breasts! I found I couldn't stimulate myself to orgasm on my own; it only happens with a partner. Just take the time to experiment and be open-minded about different types of stimulation and different sensations.

Woman C: Don't focus on whether or not an orgasm is building; just enjoy the sensations for what they are.

This post was originally published in 2014 and has been updated.

Carina Hsieh Sex & Relationships Editor Carina Hsieh lives in NYC with her French Bulldog Bao Bao — follow her on Instagram and Twitter • Candace Bushnell once called her the Samantha Jones of Tinder • She enjoys hanging out in the candle aisle of TJ Maxx and getting lost in Amazon spirals.

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