Page 225 - (DK) Help Your Kids with Growing Up: A No-Nonsense Guide to Puberty and Adolescence

INTIM A CY 223

Erogenous zones

There are certain parts of the body which are highly sensitive due to their number of nerve
endings. These are known as erogenous zones, and can be stimulated to make a person sexually
aroused. Kissing, stroking, caressing, and massaging the erogenous zones can evoke sexual desire.

△ Mouth △ Neck △ Breasts and nipples
Kissing sends a wave of sensory The back and nape of the neck can Stimulation of the nipples can be arousing
information to the brain. This triggers cause sexual arousal when lightly for both females and males. The nipples
the release of desire-inducing chemicals, touched or kissed. respond to arousal by becoming hard.
such as dopamine and oxytocin.

△ Genitals △ Inner thigh △ Bum and anus
Stimulation of the penis in males and the Caressing the inner thighs can be Squeezing or stroking the bum
clitoris in females increases blood flow to a turn-on in itself. It can also create can cause arousal in some people,
these sensitive areas. anticipatory pleasure as it’s so close as can stimulation of the anus itself.
to the genitals, and can stimulate blood
flow to the genitals to increase arousal.

Talking about pleasure ◁ Emotional intimacy
Emotional intimacy and physical
Intimacy is about sharing something personal with intimacy are strongly linked.
another person, and so sharing a kiss and other Each can amplify the other.
physical intimacy is a two-way street. Openness
and communication will help individuals to
understand and learn what they and their partners
are comfortable with and find pleasurable. From
sustained eye contact to sexual intercourse,
everyone is different in how they’re aroused
and in the level of intimacy that they enjoy.

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