What is a Gooch? A Guide to Perineum Massages & Orgasms

9 min read
What is a Gooch? A Guide to Perineum Massages & Orgasms

When exploring the male body, sexual pleasure is typically focused on the most common areas of stimulation—the genitals: the penis glans, shaft, and testicles. However, for those looking for something extra and additional methods of arousal during their sexual recreation, plenty of unexplored erogenous zones allow them to achieve new sensations, experience intensified orgasms, and a range of possible health benefits.

Perineum stimulation or massage is one such practice. The perineum is closely located in the prostate and connected to the nerve systems of your sexual organs.

TLDR Summary

  • The perineum, often referred to as 'gooch' or 'taint,' is a nerve-rich area between the scrotum and anus, playing a significant role in male sexual arousal.
  • Both men and women possess a perineum, but they serve different functions in the body; for men, it's closely connected to the prostate, or P-spot.
  • Perineal stimulation, internal or external, offers intensified orgasms, heightened body awareness, and can benefit prostate health.
  • Benefits of perineal play include increased blood flow, flushing of blockages in the prostate, and potential alleviation of conditions like prostatitis and erectile dysfunction.
  • For optimal stimulation, hygiene, comfort, and patience are key; external massaging of the area can lead to a unique, full-body perineum orgasm.
  • The difference between P-spot and perineum orgasms is mainly in the method of stimulation: external for the perineum and internal for the prostate.
  • Exploring the perineum offers a chance for new sensations and deeper intimacy during solo or partnered sexual experiences.

 

Knowing where and how to massage yourself for rewarding perineum play is something we think every man should experience or, at the very least, investigate.

So, what is a gooch? It's believed that the expression derives from combining 'guy' and the slang 'cooch' used as a term for vagina.

Although the location is similar, it's a terrible biological parallel to a 'guy's vagina' as the area provides a very different function. More commonly, it's accepted to be the perineum and the skin, muscles, and systems located around the pelvic floor.

Another popular slang term for the perineum is 'taint,' thought to be derived from being neither part of the genitals nor the anus, as in 'it ain't either.'

What is the perineum?

The perineum is situated in a nerve-rich area between the scrotum (or the bulb of the penis, to be more accurate) and the anus. The nerves that service male sexual organs run from the anus to the penis along the perineum.

Both men and women have a perineum. The female perineum is located between the anus and the vaginal opening.

For those assigned male at birth, accessing the perineum internally through the anal canal provides the same access to the prostrate—known as the male G-spot or P-spot—and the same access to the pleasure points of the perineum.
Perineal stimulation, like prostate stimulation, can be carried out internally or externally, depending on the preferred practices of the recipient.

Anatomy of the perineum

The perineum is the surface region between the pubic symphysis and coccyx, located below the pelvic diaphragm between the legs. The perineal body lies along the line between the urogenital triangle and the anal triangle.

anatomy of the man's perineum diagram

Photo credit: Wikipedia

It consists of connective tissue around the urethra at the bottom of the pelvic cavity.

The perineal body is essential to the structural integrity of the pelvic floor.

It's around 2 inches long for those assigned male at birth, cisgender men, transgender women, or nonbinary people with penises, and approximately 1.5 inches for cisgender women, transgender men, and nonbinary people with vaginas.

Biological functions of the perineum

As well as being packed with multiple nerve endings that aid sexual arousal and response, your perineum contains structures that aid urinating, defecating, and sexual intercourse.

The perineum supports the pelvic floor muscles that hold your bladder, colon, and reproductive organs in place.

Differences between the male and female perineum

 MALE PERINEUM FEMALE PERINEUM
  • For men or those assigned male at birth, the perineum sits below the prostate, supporting the pelvic floor.
  • For women or those assigned females at birth, the perineum contains structures essential for childbirth.
  • The perineum carries nerves from the anus to the penis.
  • The female perineum helps loosen the muscles that need to stretch, allowing a baby passage from the womb into the world.
  • It supports the blood vessels that supply the genitals and urinary tract and protects the nerves used to urinate and achieve an erection.
  • Many women find regular perineum stimulation beneficial leading up to childbirth, reducing perineal trauma and tears due to excessive stretching
  • Injury to the perineum can interfere with sexual sensations, as the perineal nerves carry signals from the genitals to the brain.

    Damage to the blood vessels in the perineum can lead to erectile dysfunction (ED) or the ability to maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.
  • The female perineum is accessed at the back wall of the vagina, 2.5cm to 4cm inside the vaginal opening.
  • Massage and stimulation can help to reduce perineal trauma caused by injury.

    Benefits of perineum stimulation

    Sexually, the benefits of exploring each other's bodies are many, and perineum stimulation will add new avenues of play and gratification to solo and partner outings.

    In addition, accessing any less active yet highly-sensitive area is likely to deliver a heightened body awareness and new sexual pleasure paths to the brain and within your body.

    There are health benefits to perineal play too.

    For example, additional blood flow to the perineum and pelvic floor can help promote their typical healthy operation. Yet, when the perineum and prostate are excited to orgasm, the prostate ejaculates seminal fluid, flushing any blockages or build-up that could cause issues.

    Perineal and prostate massage are thought to aid many prostate problems, including inflammation, swelling, urine flow, painful or premature ejaculations, and erectile dysfunction, amongst others.

    Problems that perineal stimulation can help with

    Diagram on the Benefits of Perineal and Prostate Massage

    Prostatitis

    Before the introduction of modern antibiotics, prostate and perineal stimulation through massage therapy were the primary treatments for prostatitis.

    Erectile dysfunction

    Again, modern medications are available to treat erectile dysfunction, yet prostate and perineal stimulation is still used to complement those mainstream solutions.

    Urine flow

    With the prostate surrounding the male urethra, swelling and inflammation of the prostate can be relieved by milking, releasing the fluid build-up causing the problem.

    Painful ejaculation

    One of the issues to cause painful ejaculation is the build-up of fluid in the prostate. Massage or perineum stimulation can help to release the pressure and ease any pain issues.

    How to stimulate a man’s perineum

    Perineum stimulation encourages enhanced blood flow into the pelvis and arousal of the sexual organs and erogenous zones. Practicing solo or with a partner, taking your time is crucial, allowing mental arousal to match the increased flow to the blood vessels. Arousal won't happen if you're uncomfortable, nervous, or worried. Relaxation is key to the most rewarding experiences.

    Internally

    1. Ensure best hygiene practices by thoroughly cleaning the perineum, genitals, and anus, washing your hands, and any toys you plan to use.

    2. Find a comfortable position that allows you to relax and offers easy access to your posterior, for example, lying on your back with knees bent.

    3. Gently insert a finger into the rectum and delicately explore the immediate area for rope-like nerves.

    4. Once located, or you feel the tingle and sensation of arousal, gently massage in a circular motion to increase intensity.

    5. If you feel pain or are applying too much pressure, ease off to a pace or pressure that feels more comfortable.

    6. Continue the practice until you reach a climax. Don't worry if you don't have an orgasm during early attempts. Both perineum and prostate orgasms often take practice and patience to experience.

    Externally

    1. Again, thorough cleansing is essential for good hygiene.

    2. Begin by applying delicate strokes, massages, and scratches, showing attention to the perineal area to encourage arousal and relaxation.

    3. Use a thumb, the pads of your fingers, or a knuckle to gently apply pressure to the perineum, massaging with a steady rhythm.

    4. Apply further pressure as you go, pressing more firmly at the point of orgasm to enhance the sensation.

      5 Tips for a better experience while massaging your perineum

      1. Lubrication creates a smoother massage and different sensations during perineal stimulation, so feel free to experiment with different kinds of lube.

      2. While some men are nervous about anal sex and penetration, massaging or playing with the anal sphincter can provide a safe way to build toward the practice. Toying with the anus can enhance arousal for perineal play, with many nerve endings intensely packed into this area at the edge of the perineum.

      3. Holding or stimulating the penis and testicles can help encourage stronger arousal. Once you feel suitably turned on, letting go of your genitals allows you to concentrate on new sensations from the perineum stimulation and to focus on the feelings you're looking for.

      4. Sex toys and male massagers are great additions for adding vibrations and enhancing stimulation.

      5. The reverse cowgirl or 69 position during intercourse allows a partner ideal visual and physical access to the area.

        New to Anal Sex? We have you covered

        How to use toys to massage your perineum

        Just as you would with your fingers or thumb, a prostate massager, similar male sex toy, or vibrating ring will add different sensations to internal and external perineum massage.

        Plenty of prostate massagers feature an external perineum area to double the pleasure.

        These toys appear almost 'u-shaped' with dual motors providing vibrations inside and out to maximize stimulation.

        Externally, applying the same circular motion that you would with your fingers but with the addition of a vibrating toy introduces new heights of pleasure into your solo or partner sessions.

        Safety tips for optimal perineal massage

        • Hygiene is paramount. Wash the entire area thoroughly, including the anus, hands, fingernails, and toys.
        • Trim your nails to avoid cuts and tears.
        • Use an appropriate lubricant.
        • Don't apply unnecessary pressure. Firm but not excessive stimulation should be enough to bring about intense sensations and feelings.

        The Perineum Orgasm: All you need to know

        Perineum massage applies the pressure and stimulation required to deliver a prostate orgasm: externally, through the thin layer of muscles and tissue, or internally, directly to the prostate and perineum.

        Achieving a perineum orgasm through external massage takes practice; not all men will manage it during their first attempts, if ever.

        However, becoming more comfortable with new areas of bodily pleasure can provide a great gateway to internal massage of the perineum and prostate, where an orgasm is more likely to occur.

        Remember, everyone's body is different, and there are no guarantees to match expectations. Patience and practice will help you understand your body better: what you like, what you don't, and what provides the most pleasure—whether you orgasm or not. It's not always about the destination—there are plenty of new and exhilarating sensations to enjoy with any sexual experimentation and adventure.

        What does a perineum orgasm feel like?

        A perineum orgasm feels quite different from a penile orgasm. At first, it requires a slower, steadier build and, at the climax, delivers a powerful full-body sensation.

        They're described as more intense, longer-lasting, and often, a full-body experience.

        Unlike a penile orgasm, the sensation isn't limited to the genital area. You can achieve a perineum or prostate orgasm alone or simultaneously with a penile orgasm. Working both areas together helps achieve arousal faster, enhancing bodily sensations and stimulating the imagination entering into a powerful new practice.

        P-Spot orgasm vs Perineum Orgasm

        Given their relative locations, P-spot and perineal orgasms are the same things. The key difference isn't the sensations you'll experience but how they're achieved. For example, massaging the perineum is more often carried out externally, whereas massaging the prostate is more efficiently carried out internally through the anus.

        Summary

        For many, the idea of exploring our bodies to find new ways to turn each other on, to feel new sensations, and heightened experiences, for bigger, stronger orgasms, or simply to feel closer and more thrilled while playing with our partners is a big plus.

        So many of today's sex play reference materials tend to stick with the same ideas and practices. However, there are plenty of unexplored areas of the body just waiting for extra attention, ready to deliver the sensations you crave.

        The perineum is a wildly neglected yet incredibly sensitive area.

        It's so close to the genitals and scrotum, tucked neatly between two triangles of sexual sensitivity and with direct access to the male G-spot—why wouldn't it be packed with nerves designed to turn you on?

        Why not take time to experiment? If playing with your perineum includes new ways to enjoy yourself or your partner, there's nothing to lose and much to gain.

        Curious about your body and sexuality?

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