Sexual stimulation

Sexual stimulation is any stimulus (including bodily contact) that leads to, enhances and maintains sexual arousal, and may lead to orgasm. Although sexual arousal may arise without physical stimulation, achieving orgasm usually requires physical sexual stimulation.

Types of sexual stimulation

Sexual stimulation can be categorized into two types: physical and mental.

Physical stimulation

Physical sexual stimulation usually consists of touching the sensitive areas of the body such as the skin, breasts, nipples, and genitals. The stimulation can be performed using the hands, fingers, tongue, or a sexual aid such as a sex toy.

Mental stimulation

Mental or psychological sexual stimulation, on the other hand, typically involves stimuli that generate erotic mental images. This can involve sexual fantasy, erotic literature, or sexual role play.

Sexual arousal

Sexual arousal from sexual stimulation is generally centered in the genitals, but can also occur in other parts of the body, and can also result from mental stimulation. These sexual responses include increased heart rate and blood pressure, and the erection of the penis or clitoris.

Sexual stimulation and orgasm

Sexual stimulation is often the method used to achieve orgasm, although orgasm can be achieved without sexual stimulation, such as during wet dreams or nocturnal emission.

See also

• Human sexual activity
• Human sexuality
• Sexual arousal disorder
• Sexual dysfunction