Are breasts an erogenous zone? Is breast a sexual organ because nipple of stimulation being arousing?

This article discusses the reasons why breasts are not inherently anatomically sexual organs, like genitals are.

Are breasts an erogenous zone?

"Erogenous zones" are parts or areas of human body that provide sexual arousal when touched. It is commonly noted (and various magazines have had polls on this) that apart from the genitals, the erogenous zones vary tremendously between individuals - even within Americans. Some people like to have their breasts caressed, some like their neck or thighs being touched, or belly or feet etc.

So not all women want their breasts or nipples caressed. For some, the nipple area is just too sensitive for that. For some it's nothing special. Yet others like it.

So it is a very individual thing - which shows these 'erogenous zones' are NOT in our anatomy as such. Truly, some people even say that their whole body is an erogenous zone for them.

Basically it is the skin that feels the touch, and loving touch on the skin releases oxytocin in us (more on oxytocin later) and makes us feel good. Then it is the mind that controls sexual arousal. The mere touch on skin does not cause sexual arousement without other factors.

So breasts can be an erogenous zone for some, just as neck, ears, belly, thighs, etc. can be - and for some people they are NOT an erogenous zone. It's an individual thing. Of course it is up to the couple what they do during their intimate moments, which body parts they touch or caress. We don't want to tell you what part to touch - hopefully if you love the person, you love ALL his/her body parts.

BUT this does not make breasts a sexual organ like genitals are. It is just skin as any other skin, and not even the most sensitive skin area in the body. How about nipples? Read on.

Are breasts a sexual organ because nipple stimulation is arousing to some women?

I have often been suggested that breasts have a sexual function also (besides breastfeeding) because nipple stimulation is arousing to some women - some even seem to think it is so to all women:

Visitor comments:

"Breasts are sexual in the sense that women can be turned on by the rubbing or licking of the breast, more specifically the aereola and nipple. And men get turned on by the exposure of breasts."

"There is that little problem with the fact that the nipple is an erogenous zone. Could be that the breast is seen as sexual largely because they serve a sexual function as well as a nourishing one."

"They are not JUST "baby feeders." Some women can be stimulated to sexual climax by nipple arousal alone; does this seem like a function of feeding a baby? Body parts have multiple functions, and breasts ARE sexual objects as well as baby feeders."

Nipples are very sensitive since they have lots of nerve endings (some women don't like theirs touched because of this; it's so sensitive). And true, touching them can be arousing in a sensual circumstance. Some women have even gotten an actual climax from nipple stimulation alone - though for the majority this is not so. But why does it happen to some?

The answer really is very simple: sexuality is in the mind. Whether nipple stimulation is arousing or not depends on the woman's mindset. If it is a sexual situation, and she believes touching nipples is part of that, then it can be arousing. And, the oxytocin released can further help that feeling.

Read more about hormones and bonding in this excellent article by Linda Folden Palmer Bonding Matters: The Chemistry of Attachment

Oxytocin.org - Lots of info about oxytocin

breast seen as sexual because of cultural influence

Nipple stimulation releases a hormone called oxytocin, which is responsible for the let-down reflex in breastfeeding. In other words, oxytocin causes the milk flow within the breast. Also, labor contractions are caused by large quantities of oxytocin. In fact, physicians routinely induce labor by injecting a certain form of oxytocin into women (pitocin).

Also, and very importantly, a kind touch anywhere in the body causes oxytocin to be released. This is true for friendly hugs, massages, hairdresser touching your scalp, shaking hands, stroking someone's skin, and caressing touch within the intimate moments - if it is kind and friendly, your body releases oxytocin. Oxytocin makes you feel good, feel loving and friendly towards whomever touched you. Also, it helps the mother will feel love towards her baby when the baby suckles on the breast. In other words, it helps bonding. It is called the love or cuddle hormone, and it exists in all kinds of friendly human relationships.

Oxytocin or kind touch is so important that babies who are not touched a lot, won't develop properly. The touch-deprivation that some lonely people experience can lead to depression. Elderly people are especially in danger of that. Everyone needs touch, everyone needs oxytocin, even your pet.

So nipple stimulation releases oxytocin, the cuddle hormone. But only THE MIND will make a woman feel sexually aroused because of that. It is not the nipple stimulation per se - if that was so, then she'd feel aroused during labor and giving birth, too, since large quantities of oxytocin are circulated in bloodstream during those painful moments. The same is true of breastfeeding - baby's suckling of nipple causes oxytocin to be released, but this alone does not usually create sexual arousal.

Most people agree that a human person can be 'turned on' just by the power of mind alone. Mind or human brain is the biggest and most important 'sexual organ' we have. So if the woman believes it is sexually stimulating, if her husband is right there and he is emitting the pheromones for her to smell, and the setting is right, she's thinking about it, then yes, it can be stimulating. The oxytocin released helps her further to feel loved and loving.

Hopefully this explains why the fact that oxytocin is released by nipple stimulation does not make breasts a sexual organ in the sense that genitals are. Breasts are more comparable to skin in general than they are to genitals.

Erect nipples

It has also been asked why some women's nipples become erect during sexual arousal. Is it because nipples have a sexual function? Actually, an erect nipple just means that the nipple stands out a bit, and is not flat. This is true of most women's nipples all of the time (some women have flat or inverted nipples, the rest of us have erect nipples).

So there is some terminology confusion. Basically people are referring, not to erect nipples per se, but to a "scrunched up" and wrinkling of the areola, which makes the nipple also protrude a little more. (see a picture here)

This could actually be termed a "goose bump effect". It happens when the tiny muscles on the areola contract in response to various stimuli like cold, rubbing against clothes, suckling, or nipple stimulation by hand. These muscles can also contract because of the general stimulation of the autonomic nervous system during arousal, or because of nipple stimulation by the partner.

So are breasts sexual?

Of course they are - if by 'sexual' you mean "pertaining to the feminine sex". And if you mean "pertaining to the manwoman intimate relationship", then obviously breasts can be part of that - it is up to the couple what they do, what body parts they caress.

But they are not sexual objects in themselves. Just think: if you see a picture cropped showing only two breasts, what do you think? Media outlets want you to think certain way... BUT in themselves, this is what breasts are: special feminine body parts that can produce milk.

People often misunderstad our position and claim that obviously breasts are sexual as if it was a moot point. We are not saying that men can't appreciate woman's breasts as feminine and beautiful body parts - as ornaments - or that breasts wouldn't take part in the manwoman relationship. We are saying breasts are NOT supposed to be some kind of a 'turn-on', a special obsession point for men.

Judging from the advertisements, one would think that men are supposed to be "all ready" the instant they get a flash of a nipple. The media images are so screwed up. A woman's breasts are beautiful, yes, and feminine, yes, but the mere looking at them in some everyday context is not supposed to bring about a sexual arousal.

It's not men's fault though, if they think so, because they have been culturally conditioned to see it that way. So on this site we hope to fight back against this sad trend. We're just saying let breasts be like legs and hips and neck and face etc. and all the other body parts - not some almost like inanimate objects that automatically 'click men's brains' to the 'turn on' mode.

A NORMAL LOVING NURTURING ACT

NOTHING INDECENT GOING ON!

HEY, THIS IS WHAT BREAST IS FOR!

(for milk and a toy)

For further study

Women's sexual physiology
"...most women claim that the two most important organs for achieving orgasm are the brain and the clitoris."

The Stages of Sexual Response
"Societal and cultural values influence the range of stimuli that provoke sexual desire, and ideals about the stimuli considered sexual or attractive can vary greatly between cultures and among subsets of a single culture. In addition, each individual reacts to sets of stimuli that are idiosyncraticbased on his or her own thoughts, feelings, and experiences."

Discussions concerning breastfeeding and arousal:
breastfeeding / arousal
im trying to be very mature, help me....
breastfeeding and sex drive.

The Sexual Response Cycle
"Sexual response is an extremely individual process. People vary in their physical, mental, and emotional reactions to sexual stimulation."

Culturally Correct Nudity
"In India, a female's upper arms are considered sensual areas of the body and therefore should not be exposed in public."

MPs defend Swazi bare breasts
"Swazi men are attracted by women's naked thighs not their breasts".

West Africa: Background and travel essentials
"In Africa, the baring of flesh is associated with labouring or poverty and may well be treated with contempt. Women should expect to be ridiculed for even minor displays of nudity and must remember that whereas breasts are usually not considered to be offensive, legs and buttocks are."

Women Travellers
"For example in Papua New Guinea you can expose your breasts but your thighs need to be covered at all times, even wearing trousers is seen as provocative."

Oxytocin.org
Basic info about oxytocin.

Oxytocin may mediate the benefits of positive social interaction and emotions.
by Uvnas-Moberg K. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 1998 Nov;23(8):819-35.

WHY THE FUSS ABOUT BREASTS?

THEY ARE JUST PROTRUSIONS TO NOURISH BABIES!

Visitor comments

Your site is great, and very helpful--I came here because my husband and I are thinking about having children, and I am terrified of having larger breasts than I already do (42DDD). I did find a lot of reassurance here, which was great. However, I do get a bit put off by your insistance that there is nothing sexual about breasts. I agree that we are way too obsessed with them, and that they have the purpose of breast feeding, but they certainly an erogenous zone. In fact, I'm a bit weirded out by the thought of losing that very important aspect of my breasts for a while from pregnancy soreness or whatever may happen with breastfeeding. I wish you'd address that on your site!

Marika

Hi Marika,
As far as breasts being an "erogenous zone", that can very well be- for you. That type of stuff varies from person to person.

I don't think pregnancy or breastfeeding should necessarily affect that so badly as you think. The main thing is the nipples. During pregnancy your nipples may become more sensitive to touch.

Then with breastfeeding, initially you need to learn a good latch as soon as possible. That's where many women "fail" - because a wrong latch hurts the nipples. Study before birth where to find help, where to find videos of good latch etc.

I had that for a month or so, then me and baby suddenly learned it the right way and it stopped hurting my nipples. So it's crucial. All this "pain" that women write about as concerning breastfeeding, is typically caused by a wrong latch.

Ask for help from lactation consultants if you have nipple pain with breastfeeding. They can show you the good latch.

In the past, a woman's mother, grandmother, aunts, sisters, and friends all were there to show a new mom the right latch. But not in today's society. So if you need help with it, do NOT hesitate. The continued nipple pain may ruin the breastfeeding relationship; yet there is no need to suffer from it at all!

Breastfeeding.com and Kellymom.com are good resources to get started.

I personally am not turned on by breast stimulation, but it is not "nothing special" either. Instead, I just like them to be caressed as it feels relaxing like a massage. I equate the feeling to a back or neck massage. I don't have any sexual feelings whatsoever about my breasts, although my boyfriend surely does.

Kathryn

I dont agree with the statement that breasts are sexual.Only function of breasts is breastfeeding.It is our way of thinking and the society in which we lives make the breasts sexual

praveen

Thank you for giving me insight on breast sensitivity. I'm one of those women whose breasts are not sexually stimulating, and I thought there was something wrong! Wow, Am I grateful!
Thanks - Wanjiru W.

I have often wondered why all the fuss in America about the size and shape of the female breast. Sure I think that breasts are a great part of the female body but it's sad that so many woman are not happy with what they have. Just stand in the grocery line and one in bobbarded with touched up photos of woman with breasts that are not natural. I agree that puts a lot of preassure on woman. The truth is that most men (at least the mature ones) are really not judging a woman's beauty by the size and shape of their breasts.

George

I like that picture caption: HEY, THIS IS WHAT BREAST IS FOR!...(for milk and a toy)

Yes! Mommy's breasts are baby's toys! They're not just for daddy to play with!

Why is baby playing with mommy's nipples considered bad? I don't think it's sexual or indecent! I think that it's touching to watch a baby fonding mommy this way. The baby knows that he is loved and can touch mommy without guilt. The baby shows that heshe understands the unique relationship beween heshe and mommy. If I ever have children, I hope their father will ENCOURAGE them to play with my breasts!

Jennifer Vaughn

I appreciate all the wonderful information on here, and I'm tossing my bras out the window tonight :) but I am a little sad to see the incredible effort that is made to seperate the breast from any hint of sexual association.

It's western society that has the problem with sexuality, not the breast! Or any other body part for that matter. So why strip the breast of so many wonderful sexual attributes that it has, just because western society is uptight & immature about it? Sexual organs are natural, wonderful parts of the body; there's no reason to be ashamed of them! Humans are sexual beings; our entire bodies are designed for sexual pleasure, including eyes, ears, lips, fingers, necks, ankles, waists, backs, thighs, etc.

We are empowered when we embrace sexuality, not when we distance ourselves from it, because that reinforces the bias that sexuality is somehow *bad*.

Celebrate the breast for what it is: a beautiful tender sensitive life-giving *and* pleasure-giving organ. To give it any less credit would be a disservice.

Whitney

Note that we're not saying sexuality is bad. Our entire bodies truly can be part of the sexual pleasure - including breasts. The point is: This notion that SEEING a bare breast causes sexual excitement does great disservice to all of us. It should not be considered a special 'sexual' body part that needs to be hidden. Necks and ankles and lips aren't.

Hi, I just wanto share my thoughts on this site. I have always been very self concious about my breasts, because of the fact that for one, one is much bigger than the other one, and it seems that I may have "tubular" breast. Im 18 years old, and have had so many questions baout the sexuality of breasts, breastfeeding, the media, the anatomy and study of the breasts etc... when I found this site, it hads greatly helped me alot, and has I could say helped me emotionally and mentally. I think and do agree that the beauty of breasts are breastfeeding your child. Many nights and days have been where I literally felt I wasnt a full women, or normal because of my breasts, being an 18 year old and aving to barely fit in to a b cup, was just so sad and depressing for me, I felt as if I was the only one that felt the way I did and everyone else had big beautiful breasts, I have learned many things from this site, all women are different. Thank you so much for all the work, time pictures, to build and creat this site it truly has been a great help in my personal life Keep up the fine work!

Sophia

Womens' breasts are the most beautiful milk containers on this earth. If you have a problem with a mother breast-feeding her infant anywhere, divert your eyes and remain ignorant to the most beautiful and closest bondingsharing event ever.

Gregory

Nipple stimulation. I think for some women, it is a sexial thing and others not. Plain and simple and is it really anyone else's business?

Lana

There is one aspect of your site that I have found really challenging. I have been thinking all day about whether I think breasts have a sexual functtion as well as a nurturing function. I find your arguments against this notion quite compelling but something in me just doesn't quite want to let go of breasts as sexual. After reading your article on this topic, I have come to something that makes sense to me. I wonder what you think? I think our whole bodies have a sexual function as well as their anatomical function. Seeing a naked female back can be just as arousing as seeing a naked breast. Breasts are part of a whole and in that sense, they are sexual.

Chris Curnow

It's a little tricky, I feel, to try to explain this. Breasts are a feminine body part, yes. But the mere SIGHT of them is not necessarily sexually stimulating unless your brain has been conditioned to think that way. Neither has the sight of a naked woman have to be sexually stimulating... unless your brain has been conditioned to think that way. Ask naturists.

People just don't understand sexual response: it's pretty much in the brain. When people are sexually stimulated, it is certain chemicals in the brain that are at work. And when those chemicals are present in the brain, then touch on skin feels very special.

It's brain brain brain, and your brain can be conditioned to produce those chemicals at the sight of female breast, or at the sight of female ankle or at the thought or sight of some specific thing (could be most anything). Or for some weird people, the feeling of being afraid of getting caught by police can get the brain producing those chemicals. Or pain.

So however the brain is conditioned in these areas, that is how it responds. It is largely a cultural thing. A and it is possible to un-condition your brain too, if one so wishes, but it's not easy.

WOW~ I love your site. I agree that our Western culture has taken away the purpose of our breasts. I am past the age of wanting to have any more children, but as a mother of four, I still had a false perception as to the purpose of my breasts. I thought they were sexual objects that took some time here and there to nurse. I will admit that I was obsessed with my own breasts... because I thought they didn't measure up. Thank you for restoring alot of my self-esteem. I am 34 yrs old and feel more confident then I ever have ...I only hope I can educate my sons and daughter to the beauty and nurturing aspect of the breast, instead of the sexual aspect.

And why is it "taboo" to show part of your breast while nursing, but can have them almost uncovered at the Grammy's?... Maybe this obsession in society comes from the fact that women have them and men [our patriarchal society] want to own them [like many other things]...

Tami

I agree that teens, like myself care way too much about their looks and body than they would if the media would not show only one type of body. My boobs are very different in size and the doctor said that it is very normal and that since I am only 14 they have not fully developed. Guys just need to ge their heads out of the music videos because nobody is born looking perfect. They just cover everything up. Girls.. there is nothing wrong with your body and if he doesn't accept it then forget him.. he is definately NOT worth your valuable time. HOLLA!

Jade

Yes, breasts are designed to supply milk for nursing babies. Breasts on humans are also for attracting a mate. Ask any heterosexual male and they will tell you that cute breasts will attract them just like a cute face will. Breasts on a woman are prominent, unlike breasts on a cat or cow. They are designed to be a sexually attractive element. It's a biological fact. Eric.

Many people have presented the idea that since other animals do not have protruding breasts, that that supposedly is a proof that in humans they would have a sexual function. But that is NOT any kind of 'biological fact'. We have built a page with lots of pictures of mammals nursing to show just a glimpse of what kind of 'breasts' we see in the animal world. It simply varies - some have VERY prominent mammary glands (the udder on cows and goats and sheep) and some only have nipples showing, and some have enlarged mammaries during lactation.
Also, the idea that the purpose of breasts is to attract a mate comes from the Darwinian theory of evolution. BUT scientists themselves admit that it is very hard to explain how lactation could have 'evolved' since it's such an intricate and complex process. The Darwinian idea that mankind (including breasts) gradually evolved from single-celled creatures is unproven up to date.
This said, of course breasts are a feminine body part and so it's no wonder they are attractive to males - but this attraction does not have to immediately induce sexual feelings, like modern media tries to imply.

This site has saved me, literally saved me from years of self doubt and personal turmoil. Like all Western women, I have been inundated with representaions of the "feminine" that have excluded me. I am now more aware of the "ideology of the breast" that pervades our culture. I will now challenge it within my consciousness, and in that of my healthy, breastfed daughter.

Brooke Lynne White

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