Foreplay. A hotly debated topic - some of us love it, and some of us just aren’t quite so convinced. But done right, and the build-up to sex can be just as good, if not better than the main event!
Sadly, foreplay has a tendency to be overlooked. Sometimes this can be because it feels awkward (especially with a new partner), or because it can feel too contrived.
Why is foreplay so good for us?
It’s the actions that warm the body up, arousing it, preparing it for relaxation or exciting stimulation. Foreplay can get you or your partner(s) to peak arousal, which can intensify your satisfaction and feel euphoric. It can even get you ready for that big ‘O’.
So, what else can it do?
1. It reduces stress
Yep, you read that right.
Acts of foreplay, like kissing, can trigger a release of chemicals in our brains, such as oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin.
This happy chemical cocktail lowers our stress hormone (cortisol) and increases feelings of happiness, euphoria, affection and bonding.
2. It can make you feel more excited
So, we know we just said that foreplay calms you down, but it can also increase excitement by building anticipation.
A lengthy foreplay session, especially if there’s a lot of teasing and edging involved, is a great way of building up sexual tension.
One of our top foreplay tips is taking more time than usual to kiss your partner and slowly removing their clothes. This will have them craving your touch and make it even more pleasurable when they finally get it.
3. It increases sensitivity
The stimulation of different areas of the body during foreplay can actually increase the blood flow to the genitals and the breasts.
This can cause the swelling of the breasts, labia, clitoris and erect the nipples and penis. This feels amazing FYI, and increases the sensitivity of those areas to make the rest of your play super enjoyable.
4. It helps with lubrication
Most of the time, reaching peak arousal can lead to increased lubrication of the vaginal walls. This can make vaginal penetration more enjoyable and prevent pain.
Stress, hormonal changes and medication are all things that can impact the lubrication of the vagina, so don’t stress if natural lubrication doesn’t happen. That’s why we have lubricants to keep everything smooth and comfortable down there.
5. It’s a great time to learn something
And we’re not talking about algebra.
Spending more time on foreplay can help us learn a whole lot about our own, and our partner’s body. The best foreplay ideas involve exploring your partner’s erogenous zones and playing with different types of sensory objects in those areas to see how the person reacts.
6. It can improve communication
Receiving consent to do something in a sexual space is ultra-important, particularly if you’re exploring something new. But, it can feel a bit awkward asking in the heat of the moment.
Foreplay can be the best time to have this conversation before things start moving too quickly.
7. It enhances intimacy
Foreplay can often be the most intimate part of sex and spending time caressing and exploring your partner’s body makes them feel desired and attractive - everyone loves feeling good about themselves.
Whether you’re with a long-term partner, a friend-with-benefits or a casual hook-up, the feelings of intimacy that come from a good, long foreplay session can do wonders for whatever else you’re exploring during your sessions.
8. It can spice things up
Last, but not least, foreplay is fantastic for switching things up in the bedroom.
Routine sex can be fantastic - the familiarity of knowing your body and theirs to a tee, and hitting all the spots (in the right order) is so hot! But sometimes, spicing things up is necessary.
