Most Americans only spend about 12 minutes on foreplay before welcoming the headline act to the stage. Considering foreplay is much more than a warm-up before the big game, that’s not a lot of time at all.
Boiling an egg can sometimes take longer.
Foreplay not only prepares for the physical aspect of sex but the intimate and emotional side too. And there are so many types of foreplay you can try to get both you and your partner in the mood. It might surprise exactly how many there are.
And foreplay can be so much fun that there’s no reason it can’t be the headline act, too!
Want to find out how exciting foreplay can be to spice up your sex life? This guide details the different types of foreplay with tons of ideas so you can experiment. These foreplay tips are inclusive of sexuality and gender, too.
Talking
One of the simplest, surefire ways to perform all types of foreplay is to remember the five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Most types align with a sense, and talking (or communicating) is, without a doubt a foreplay type.
And it can start before you are even in the same room together. You can communicate with your sexual partners via:
- Letters
- Text messages
- Voice messages
- Video messages
- Photo messages
- Talking on the phone
If you are apart during the day, you could send sexts (sexy texts) or flirty voice messages to your partner. And you don’t need to send full nudes to turn them on, so don’t worry if you don’t feel comfortable doing that.
Even suggestive photos like an undone button-up shirt can stir up your partner enough to increase their body temperature.
Dirty talk is a classic type of foreplay and can be very effective. If it makes you feel embarrassed, reminiscing about previous sexual experiences can be as hot as fantasizing about new ones. But the key to dirty talk is to not overthink it and not make fun of your partner as it can be a vulnerable thing to do.
Watching
Let’s move on to the next foreplay sense; sight. Watching something sexy can be very arousing, as long as it’s something that you find sexy.
You and your partner could watch a sexy movie together, like:
- Call Me By Your Name (2017)
- Titanic (1997)
- Magic Mike (2012)
- Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
And if you’re into it, watching porn together can be a sensual experience too. It could also help you find out more about your partner’s preferences and sexual desires.
You could perform a striptease show for each other and remove items of clothing to music. Sounds can also be sensual which can heighten the foreplay experience. Creating a sexy playlist can make you feel less awkward and feel freer when you move.
Teasing
Sometimes, not performing a sex act can be far more tantalizing than doing one. It can build anticipation and make any intimate moment all the more pleasurable.
Don’t underestimate the power of breath. Use a light exhale of breath on erogenous zones such as the ears, the back of their neck, and into their open mouth. Use the tip of your tongue to touch their lips and sensitive places like their nipples.
But everyone is different when it comes to what they like and don’t like, and the same goes for teasing. Some people feel uncomfortable with too much teasing like some people don’t enjoy the sensation of tickling.
Always be sure that your partner is enjoying your teasing and back off if you don’t have their consent.
Tasting
Speaking of using tongues, tasting is one of the most underused types of foreplay. Everyone knows that aphrodisiacs exist but so few take advantage of them.
Here are some sexy treats you can eat together in the bedroom:
- Chocolate
- Strawberries
- Figs
- Watermelon
Asparagus and oysters are also supposed to be mood-enhancing foods but strawberries dipped in chocolate set a sexier vibe.
You can also use flavored lubricants, whipped cream, and anything you find tasty to enhance your experience.
Touching
Touching can be something as simple as a hand on your partner’s cheek, a massage, a kiss, or something much more intense.
The oxytocin hormone is also known as the “cuddle hormone.” Hugging and kissing someone for a long time releases this hormone and it can make you feel more relaxed and calm. An old-fashioned make-out session can be all it takes to put you in the mood.
For some, non-penetrative sex is synonymous with foreplay. Now you know that it is only one of the types of foreplay, but it is a vital one. And there are so many ways to boost your pleasure or try new things.
Some people think that lubricant is only for queer couples and straight couples where the woman has issues becoming aroused. This is not true! Sex oil and cream can heat you up, cool you down, provide tingling sensations and reduce friction.
You can use it during both foreplay and penetrative sex, too.
Have you ever used sex toys to pleasure your partner during foreplay? For women, there are clitoral suction vibrators and rabbits that can help them climax. And some men might enjoy vibrating butt plugs or handheld massagers.
When touching each other in foreplay, take your time. Don’t race through it and keep asking your partner if they like what you’re doing.
Mix Up Your Routine With All Types of Foreplay Fun
With any luck, this guide will prove exactly how many types of foreplay there are and how many ways you can increase the heat in the bedroom. And you don’t need to try them all at once!
Try strawberries and chocolate one night and a striptease show the next. Take your time to experiment and discover exactly what new experiences excite you and your partner. It will be worth the wait.
Want more tips to keep things spicy in the bedroom? Our website has tons of articles about sex, relationships, and health to help you learn how to always perform your best.