of nerve endings in large breasts so they may need more stimulation. Nipple stimulation alone can lead to orgasm in some people; there is a release of both prolactin and oxytocin when these are stimulated, which can impact genital feelings. The abdomen just above the pubic region can be intensely erogenous. The navel itself is very erogenous, particularly when touched by a finger or the tip of the tongue. The sacrum at the base of the spine can be erogenous as can the skin of the inner arms. The inner crease of the elbow is especially sensitive to touch. The armpits are erogenous to some people. The smell of sweat can be erotic. Other erogenous zones are the fingertips, the back of the thighs, and the toes.
SEXUAL STIMULATION Sexual stimulation can, of course, be unrelated or related to touch. Most of the time, however, achieving an orgasm necessitates some type of physical sexual stimulation. Physical stimulation that leads to orgasm usually has to be related to the erogenous zones or to direct genital stimulation. Endorphins are chemical rewards that act to encourage the pursuit of further stimulation. Sex toys have been used for millennia for sexual stimulation. Dildoes have been found dating to prehistoric times. They were also used in Ancient China, by the Greeks, and by the Romans. In some cases, a dildo was used to break the hymen of a woman on her wedding night—both to confirm virginity but also because hymeneal blood was considered unclean. Visual stimulation has been extensively studied. This is heightened in people who exhibit voyeurism. Pornography involves visual stimulation, which is more prominently used by men but can be used in women. Visual stimuli can be very powerful in causing sexual arousal. Olfactory stimulation is extremely important. Men are particularly aroused by the smell of some women’s perfume. It is believed that olfactory cues in evolution helped to avoid incest. Women in particular rate olfactory experiences as possibly negatively affecting physical desire.
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