Erogenous zones
Hear this word Erogenous zones
Also known as: Hot spots, pleasure zones
Skip Ahead:
What Is It?
Erogenous zones are parts of the body that feel good and create sexual arousal when touched, rubbed, kissed, squeezed, or held.
Everyone has different erogenous zones. Erogenous zones can change or be more or less sensitive. Any part of the body can be an erogenous zone.
Some examples of body parts that might be erogenous zones include the neck, the scalp of the head, ears, arms, legs, back of the knee, breasts, nipples, vulva, vagina, prostate, and penis.
Image description: A drawing of a person with a vulva with some examples of erogenous zones on the body.
Image description: A drawing of a person with a penis in a shower with some examples of erogenous zones on the body.
An Example
Wanda and Sulah spent an evening exploring places on each other’s bodies that feel good and very good when touched. They learned about each other’s erogenous zones. Some were the same and some were different from each other, and they may change in the future.
What to Know
Every glossary word connects to different parts of the Sexuality Wheel. Explore the information below to learn more.
- A person’s erogenous zones may stay the same for that person or they may change, even from day to day, and that is natural and common.
- Different types of touch may feel good and create sexual arousal on different parts of the body. On some parts of the body, a soft touch or stroking movement might feel good. On other parts a firmer touch or a circular movement might feel good to someone.
- Everyone’s bodies are different. Just because something feels good to one person, that does not mean it will feel good to a different person.
- Some people might discover some of their own erogenous zones by privately exploring their bodies alone or with sexual partners in their bedroom, in the shower or bathtub.
- Different types of touch may feel good and create sexual arousal on different parts of the body. On some parts of the body, a soft touch or stroking movement might feel good. On other parts of the body, holding, scratching, squeezing, or rubbing with more or less pressure might feel good.
- Sometimes temperature can affect what feels good to a person. If a room or someone’s hand is too cold or hot, then certain types of touch may not feel good. Adjust the room temperature or try to warm up or cool down hands to create feelings that partners enjoy.
- Some people may use a sex toy to create excitement and sexual arousal.
Think about
Hover or tap the cards below to reveal suggestions or ideas!
What did you learn about erogenous zones?
To learn more about pleasure, explore websites, books, and other resources in the Resource Hub or explore other parts of Your Sexual Health Toolkit like the SHINE Game!
What questions do you have?
Write down or record an audio note with any questions you have to ask someone you trust.
You may also find answers to your questions by using websites, books, and other resources in the Resource Hub.