“The most common misconception about male nipples is that they are not as sensitive as women’s nipples. This is simply not true,” says sex coach Danielle Harel, Ph.D. “In fact, there are some men who need nipple stimulation in order to come or to be able to come more quickly or intensely.” One 2018 study found 52% of men ages 18 to 22 found nipple stimulation sexually arousing, whether enhancing arousal or actually triggering it. Women who sleep with men might avoid their partners’ nipples, as they’re not aware that they’re a possible powerful erogenous zone in the same way that they can be for women. Even men who sleep with other men might be a little wary of engaging with their partners’ nipples if they personally don’t have much sensation and assume it’s the same for other guys. But don’t leave men’s nipples out in the cold! They, too, are worthy of some extra TLC. “For some men, there is a direct link between the nerves in their nipples and sensations in their penis,” says Hirschman. “Men can get an erection from nipple play and might even orgasm from nipple stimulation alone.” To make this type of orgasm happen, Hirschman says you’ll likely have to find the sensation patterns that your partner feels most aroused by and then be willing to stick with those for a while. “A nipplegasm may take longer than it would if he was getting direct stimulation to his penis and his nipples at the same time,” she explains. “Some men will like a variety of stimulation, while others will need one type of stimulation for a while. In order to get his perfect combo, ask him to show you how he touches his own nipples or how he might like you to touch them.” Lori Lawrenz, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist with a specialization in sexual health, adds that “increasing the level of stimulation to the nipple while giving verbal stimulation in their ear may enhance one’s ability to orgasm through nipple play.” She recommends saying something like: I actually have a lot of sensation in my nipples, so, if you are down for it, I’d love it if you would touch or bite them, but only do it if you want to. “If you give your partner a lot of choices, then you won’t feel like they are doing something they don’t want to do, and this may lower your nervousness,” she adds. If you’re nervous about bringing this up to any partners, Dow also recommends sharing articles (like this one!) about male nipple play with them to open a conversation. “Looking at research and articles related to male nipple play can help normalize that it’s an erogenous zone for men, too, and that it’s common for men to enjoy that erogenous zone getting some attention.” Men’s nipples have been ignored for too long. So get out there and love up on your man (or next man’s) nipples!
