Erogenous Zones: 12 Unexpected Body Parts That Can Give You Pleasure

The human body is a fascinating entity.

It's a huge source of immense sexual pleasure and satisfaction, a massive bundle of nerves waiting to be stimulated to send us over the edge of deep-rooted, electrifying desire.

Our first experiences with sex are often both the most frightening experiences of our lives and the most exciting (with a little awkwardness thrown in there, too).

They prepare us for our lifetime journey of discovering what turns us on and what doesn't, what we're willing to try and what we'd never try again.

While we unearth our sexuality, we learn about the most obvious places through which we can achieve pleasure -- namely, our genitals. But what about the lesser-known ones?

What about the places that have remained hidden, that we only notice when someone actually starts touching us there, stimulating a previously uncovered zone that's bursting with new, erotic energy?

Here are 12 of those mysterious, sexually enchanting erogenous zones that satisfy both men and women.

1. Inner thighs

This spot will get anyone in the mood fast, mainly because it's torturously close to our genitals.

2. Nose

WebMD reports that the nose, which contains the most nerve endings out of all parts on your face (next to your lips, that is), is a surprising erogenous zone for both you and your partner.

This is how the classic "Eskimo kiss" came to be.

Your nasal passages also contain erectile tissue that expands when aroused, which increases sensitivity and blood flow.

And if you bite on the tip of your partner's nose, the cartilage will be receptive to that heavy stimulation.

3. Nipples

For lots of women, the nipples are a key stimulation spot (yes, nipple orgasms are a real thing -- side note: I know from personal experience).

But they're also key for some men, too. WebMD says that a man's nipples contain just as many nerve endings as a woman's.

4. Belly button (for women)

If a woman puts her finger in her belly button, she might actually feel that sensation in her clit, either like she has to pee or like she's being tickled.

That's because the belly button and the clitoris grew from the same tissue at birth, so they're neurologically connected, says WebMD.

Try to lick her belly button to test this sensation. If that's too much, try to move three inches south -- you'll hit three pressure points called the Sea of Energy, which are sexually pleasurable, too.

5. Feet (soles for men, toes for a women)

For a man, the soles of the feet are a pleasure point. If you go to the third toe and head one-third of the way down, WebMD says you'll reach an acupressure point nicknamed the Bubbling Spring.

It received its name because of the sensation of energy "bubbling up" a man's legs to his genitals.

For a woman, her toes are the sweet spot. This is where the phrase "toe-curling orgasm" comes from: There's a real link between a woman's vagina and her toes, causing her toes to reflexively curl when she reaches climax.

If you take a woman's toes into your mouth or softly pinch the sides of her big toe and roll it between your fingers, it'll activate the reflex backwards, which could induce orgasm.

6. Small of the back (for women)

The sacral nerves, which are a cluster of nerves located in the small of a woman's back that shoot right to her vagina, are a great source of pleasure.

If you use your palms or engage in some karate-chop-style massaging to stimulate and build heat in that spot, it will trigger an orgasm in 91 percent of women, says Web MD.

7. Ears

According to Menshealth.com, the ears are an erogenous zone for both men and women.

Use your thumb and index finger to gently grasp that spot where his ear lobe connects to the tissue near his face and pull down, says Amy Levine, a New York City-based sex coach and sexuality educator.

There's apparently no real science about why this works, but it's good to know anyway.

8. Nape of neck

Menshealth.com also reports that the back of the neck is a great spot for men and women. Levine says it's a very sensual part of our bodies.

To activate this area, men should "massage [a woman's shoulders and seductively make a trail of soft kisses from the hairline to the base of the neck," says Levine.

Women should use this spot as a supplement to another area, says Kerner.

He suggests rubbing a man's neck while simultaneously nibbling on his earlobe. It's this combination that really hits the spot.

9. Back of the knees

For men, the back of the knees are erogenous because there's less hair there, so it's more sensitive to touch, says Ian Kerner, Ph.D., a New York City sex expert. For women, it just feels damn good.

Lightly touch or massage the back of your partner's knees in a circular motion to activate this area and get those juices flowing.

10. Lower abs

Some women have actually been able to achieve orgasm through core exercises (yes, "coregasms"), so activating this area during sex is a good call.

Levine says this spot is also hot because of "the thought of his moving farther south... likely causing your vaginal muscles to contract from the anticipation, boosting your arousal and possibly leading to climax without direct genital contact."

For men, Kerner agrees that this area, which is also close to his genitals and heightens the sexual tension, is fun to "tantalize."

Don't forget to go super low to the pubic bone. That, too, is a sweet spot.

11. Scalp (for women)

The scalp is a wonderful place for stimulating women. Yvonne K. Fulbright, Ph.D. says that a scalp massage releases the stress hormone oxytocin, which calms us while simultaneously increasing arousal.

12. Mind

Ah, yes -- the mind is one of the greatest pleasure points out there.

Try to connect with your partner on a deeper, more intellectual level. After all, if you can stimulate with your mind, stimulating with your hands will be that much better.