Shallowing

The joys of touch just inside the opening

Hey, There’s Champagne in the Lobby!

It's easy to rush past the first inch of the vagina, but if you spend some time there, you'll find it can be incredibly pleasurable all on it’s own.

Perspectives

Jane — “The lovely foyer”

Angie — “Like high definition”

Liz — “The first third”

The Pleasures of the Shallow End

Divine Detail

“I think this area is really underrated. I can have really amazing sex with penetration just going in an inch and never further.” The first few centimeters of a vagina can feel sensation in very fine detail. That means there is a whole world of pleasure that can happen just inside the opening. This part doesn’t get the attention it deserves but many women have discovered techniques to get pleasure (and even orgasm) just from very shallow penetration. “Most of the actual sensation for me is in the first inch or so.”

Makes Deeper Penetration Feel Better

Besides just feeling great on its own, Shallowing enhances other pleasure, too —40% of women say Shallowing makes deeper penetration later on feel more pleasurable, and 25% say it helps build to a stronger, more intense orgasm.

The Shallow End

82% of women get extra pleasure from touch just inside the entrance to the vagina

Perspectives

“The shallow touching gives me butterflies inside and heightens my senses. It makes me sort of high in a way so whatever else we do feels more pleasurable.”

Techniques

Just-Inside Greatest Hits

Corinne

“My little flick”

Curling

Start above the opening and curl the toy, penis, or fingers downward so the tip drags against the bottom wall of the vagina on its way in and then lightly curls up to touch the top wall. Repeat over and over.

Amelia

“The fall and the bump”

Catching

Put the tip of the toy, finger, or penis against the opening and move up and down so that it “catches” the entrance and goes in a tiny bit each time as you pass by. There can be a lovely little ‘thud’ each time as the tip goes in and rubs against the walls on its way out.

Fluttering

The head of a penis or toy is often thicker than the shaft, creating a really nice pressure just as it begins to penetrate. Fluttering is a way to get that feeling over and over again with quick repeated presses --like knocking on a front door.

Liz

“Against the entrance”

Tipping

Put a fingertip/toy/penis at the opening and press it so only the tip goes inside. While it may seem like this is all about teasing and anticipation of more penetration, it’s not! The research shows that just staying with gentle shallow thrusts feels amazing.

Jess

“Just the tip”

Perspectives

“My favorite is his penis rubbing up and down from my perineum to my clit, over and over - and each time penetrating just the depth of the head.”

Bringing it to the bedroom

Helpful guidelines

Warm and Wet First
Like other kinds of penetration, Shallowing feels better after other warm-up touches. And remember, lube is our friend! Even gentle touch around the opening can feel amazing when wet and uncomfortable when not.
Subtle, but Good Subtle
The sensations from Shallowing can be far subtler than touching the clit or labia or deeper penetration, but it can be rewarding. Give it time and try really focusing on the feeling.
It's Not Just a Warm-up!
Many love Shallowing as a main-course. Others love going back to a shallow touch after deeper penetration (which can get sort of numbing after a while). It can refresh the sensation for deeper penetration.

Most common challenges

Slow and Light
Unlike clitoral stimulation and deeper penetration, where speed is sometimes appreciated, most women prefer slower, gentler motions just inside the vaginal opening.
Slippery Slope
It’s tempting to quickly move past shallow touch to deeper penetration, especially for couples when a penis head is just inside. But savoring the feeling just inside the opening can heighten the entire experience. Try giving it minutes, not seconds.
Great as a Mixer
If it doesn’t feel amazing on its own, know that Shallowing goes great with other activities. A fingertip just inside can be added during most other types of sex, like oral sex, other clitoral stimulation, and butt play.