14 Erogenous Zones for Men

G-spot, P-spot, A-spot — these are a few of the big players in the world of erogenous zones. These sensitive body parts produce sexual pleasure when touched, and they cover you from head to toe.

When you think of male erogenous zones, the usual suspects probably come to mind, like the penis, scrotum, and maybe the perineum. But did you know your armpits are erogenous zones? And don’t forget about your earlobes or lower back — yep, more erogenous zones.

Keep reading to take a tour across your body, Magic School Bus style, to explore male erogenous zones and learn fun ways to turn on these turn-ons.

Erogenous zones are points on the human body sensitive to touch that produce sexual arousal when stimulated. They can include the earlobes, nipples, and neck. Some think these body parts are more sensitive to touch because they have more nerve endings.

What the Research Says About Male Erogenous Zones

While there’s limited research on erogenous zones, studies show they’re plentiful.

In one 2016 study, 704 men and women were asked to point out parts of the body that might be sexually arousing when touched. 

Resulting zone maps covered the entire body, showing that virtually any body part can be an erogenous zone. But there were more body parts listed when naming erogenous zones for partnered sex as opposed to masturbation.  

Touching erogenous zones is meant to be sexually arousing, but you know what else is satisfying? Imagining those areas being touched.

In a 2018 study, subjects found pleasure when they thought about being touched without physical contact. What’s more, researchers found that when someone was sexually aroused by receiving touch, it tended to be arousing for the person giving the touch too. This suggests expectations about pleasure and sensitivity can be learned.

Now to the fun part. Just where are these erogenous zones, and how can you explore them?

Let’s start with the lesser-known body parts you may have overlooked in your last foreplay session.

1. Scalp

You may not view the barber’s chair as an erotic place — but have your partner rub or caress your scalp and see what happens.

The scalp is home to numerous sensitive nerve endings. These nerves can be stimulated by directly touching the skin or even gently tugging or combing the hair.

There’s another reason you may want your scalp touched during or before sex: stress relief. Studies show scalp massage lowers stress hormones and activates the parasympathetic nerve (the nerve system that relaxes the body).

2. Earlobes

Ever heard of an eargasm?

According to research, both men and women may include ears in their top 10 erogenous zones — along with more obvious contenders like the penis, scrotum, and perineum.

You might find pleasure in having your partner kiss or nibble your earlobe. Or you can explore the inner ear with some erotic whispering.

Playing solo? Check out ASMR videos online.

ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) is a tingling feeling some folks experience while listening to stimulating sounds, like whispering, page-turning, or light scratching. ASMR studies show these sounds can activate the reward center of the brain and increase emotional arousal.

3. Nape of the Neck

The nape of the neck is the back of your neck, just under your head. It’s another highly sensitive place rated pleasurable by both men and women.

Light touching, kissing, or tickling in this area can send tingling sensations throughout the whole body. This is a good one to try while spooning if you happen to be the little spoon. You can return the favor if and when you switch positions.

4. Nipples

Nipple play isn’t just for the ladies.

Though a woman may find (or admit to finding) nipple stimulation more arousing than a man, it’s still considered a male erogenous zone.

One study looked at 148 men and 153 women, all under 30. Nipple or breast stimulation caused or enhanced sexual arousal in roughly 82 percent of women and 52 percent of men. Only about seven percent reported that nipple play decreased their arousal.

Want to have your nips stimulated? Experiment with different pressures, from light touches to intense pinches. Clamps are another adventurous option.

5. Armpits

If you’re ticklish under your arms, armpits may not be your ideal erogenous zone. But don’t pass them up too quickly.

The lightest touch with your finger or a feather can help you avoid your body’s tickle response and send shockwaves through your body.

The armpits are also a prime source of pheromones, natural body chemicals that can elicit a response in your partner. If your partner is female, she may react positively to these pheromones while stimulating your armpit.

A 2003 study found that when women sniffed the secretions from a man’s armpit, male pheromones prompted the release of luteinizing hormone (LH), which plays a key role in fertility. But that’s not all. The pheromones also reduced tension for the women and increased relaxation.

6. Lower Stomach

After the armpits, make a pit stop at your lower stomach, specifically the area between your belly button and pubic hairline.

You or your partner can use body parts — fingertips, tongue, and lips all work — to stimulate this area. Or you can play with an ice cube or another type of sensory object.

Being so close to the genitals can be especially arousing, so have your partner camp out for a while.

7. Inner Thigh

Speaking of being close to the genitals, can you get any closer than the inner thigh?

The upper inner thigh is home to the ilioinguinal nerve, which delivers sensation to the bottom of the penis and the top of the scrotum. Kissing, stroking, or nibbling the sensitive skin there can be a thrilling buildup to oral sex.

8. Sacrum

The sacrum is also called the small of your back. It’s located just above the buttocks.

Being connected to the pelvis makes this area extra-sensitive. Have your partner run their fingernails over the area or drip hot wax for that hurts-so-good sensation.

On to the areas that get the most fanfare. While the following erogenous zones probably won’t surprise you, we’ll share a few new ways to stimulate them.

1. Head of the Penis

There are nearly 4,000 nerve endings in the head of your penis, also called the glans. That may not be as many as women have in their clitoris, but as Mick Jagger sang, you can’t always get what you want.

Nonetheless, there are many ways to excite the nerve endings you do have. Direct your partner to spend a little more time there during oral sex, swirling their tongue around the entire head. Or lube up with solo play for more slippery sensations.

2. Foreskin

The foreskin is another highly sensitive part of the penis that can be stimulated in unique ways.

While masturbating or during a handjob, you or your partner can play around with different sensations, like gliding a hand over the head at different speeds and pressures. Just be sure you use lube.

Another nice thing about having foreskin is the presence of the frenulum, which is sometimes lost or divided from circumcision procedures. This piece of skin connects the foreskin to the shaft of the penis. Sometimes called the F-spot, the frenulum can be stimulated with the tongue, fingers, toys, or ice cubes.

3. Underside of Penis

Whether you’re circumcised or not, you can still consider the underside of your penis an erogenous zone — and stimulate it any way you find pleasurable.

In a 2023 study comparing 227 circumcised to 175 uncircumcised men, researchers found no significant differences in who felt more pleasure. But there were significant differences in where they felt the most pleasure.

More circumcised men preferred the middle third of the ventral penile shaft — that’s the underside closest to the testes (63 percent versus 48 percent). They were also partial to the tip of the penis (38 percent versus 17 percent).

4. Testicles and Scrotum

Getting kicked in the balls is no fun, but a gentle massage? A light lick? A seductive suck? Your partner can also do double duty by cupping your testicles while attending to your penis during oral sex or a handjob. A light touch is usually preferred here.

Don’t forget about the scrotal raphe, the visible ridge or seam that runs down the scrotum. Have your partner glide their tongue along the seam or stimulate it with their fingertip for extra sensation.

Wearing a vibrating penis ring can also stimulate the testicles when worn at the base of the penis. Added bonus: It might make your erections harder and longer-lasting.

5. Perineum

Colloquially known as the taint, the perineum is that narrow (and incredibly sensitive) piece of skin between the anus and scrotum.

Explore this small but mighty region while masturbating. Or have your partner apply pressure just before you climax for an even more intense orgasm.

You can also try holding a male vibrator against your perineum (or any part of the penis) if it feels good.

6. Prostate

Research shows that stimulating the prostate can create “ecstatic feelings” that surpass the pleasure experienced from penile stimulation.

This walnut-sized gland can be reached via the rectum with a lubed finger or prostate massager. For an even more thrilling experience, stimulate the prostate and penis at the same time.

The human body is full of surprises. Discover your erogenous zones and your partner’s to mix things up.

When you’re ready to play, remember:

• Erogenous zones are everywhere. Experiment to find your own hot spots. What works for one person might not work for another, but be open to the experience.

• You may be surprised. Don’t be afraid of places you might shy away from, like the armpit or perineum. There’s a reason areas like these are highly rated by men and women in clinical-based studies.

• Erogenous zones aren’t just for partnered sex. Plenty of the body parts listed above can be stimulated during masturbation, sometimes with the help of a sex toy.

Want more creative ways to amp up your sex life? Check out our guides to prostate massagers and cock rings. We also rounded up nine foreplay ideas to try.