Male sexual organs are internal as well as external. It is also linked to the sex that has traditionally been viewed as dominating.
On the other hand, it took a lot longer to find and understand the clitoris. In addition, it is the only organ in the human body that is only used for pleasure—an incredible fact that, paradoxically, both science and love partners have chosen to ignore.
Mother of three, Dr. Sybil Lockhart, PhD, works full-time as a researcher at OMGYES, a website dedicated to material and study on the understanding and enhancement of female pleasure. Lockhart offers several explanations for why science has ignored the clitoris.
The clitoris has not only been mostly disregarded throughout history, but when information has been provided about it, it has frequently been incomplete or blatantly false. Freud believed that only mentally sound women could experience vaginal orgasms and that a woman's capacity for orgasm depended on her psychological development even in the early 1900s.
It is not only detrimental to women to be ignorant about the clitoris. It's especially unfortunate for the large percentage of women who suffer from disease- or infection-related clitoral pain.
It is detrimental to our quality of life, health, and even prospects for equality, in general, to not know how to have a conversation about the clitoris, much less understand how a healthy one operates.
The tide is turning, which is wonderful news.
What is the clitoris?
The most sensitive part of your erogenous zone is your clitoris. It exists only to make it possible for you to have sex. It can help your sex life to know what types of touch feel pleasant (and when).
In terms of reproductive anatomy, your clitoris is the pleasure center. The vulva, or little fleshy protrusion at the top of the genitalia, is sometimes thought of as the clitoris; however, this is only the visible portion of the clitoris. Your clitoris is made up of an intricate network of nerves and erectile tissue that is divided into two parts: the inside and outside of your body.
Your clitoris can be stimulated to arouse your sexual desire. It may intensify sex-related stress till you reach your climax. The sensations from a stimulated clitoris normally feel pleasant, even if you don't experience an orgasm.
What is the function of the clitoris?
The only function of your clitoris is to facilitate sexual pleasure. Your entire vulva is an erogenous zone, meaning that touching it will boost your sexual appetite. The area of your vulva that is most sensitive is your clitoris. It has the power to elicit the most satisfying and powerful sexual reactions in your body.
Your clitoris is touch-sensitive in every way. Different people find different sorts of touch to be most enjoyable. Your clitoris can be stimulated by touching your tongue (oral sex), your fingers, a sex toy, or your partner's genitalia. You can prick your vaginal wall to stimulate your clitoris by using your fingers, penis, or a sex toy.
Where is the clitoris located?
The most sensitive portion of your external genitals (vulva) is often thought of as a tiny button of flesh called the clitoris, but it's also inside your pelvic cavity.
External to your body:
At the top of your vulva is the portion of your clitoris that is external to your body. Your urethral entrance (the hole where you urinate), your vaginal opening (the hole where you have sex), your perineum (the area of skin beneath your clitoris), and your anus (the hole where you poop) are all located beneath your clitoris. Your labia minora, or inner vaginal lips, are two skin flaps that are located on either side of your clitoris and vaginal opening. Your inner vaginal lips are encircled by your labia majora, or outer vaginal lips. Right on top of your pubic bone, above your clitoris, is a skin mound known as your mons pubis.
When we zoom in, the clitoris' external components are as follows:
Glans clitoris: When most people talk about the clitoris, they really mean the glans, which is the little protuberance located slightly above the urethral opening. The glans is extremely sensitive to touch because it is packed with nerve endings.
Clitoral hood: The hood for your glans is formed by the meeting of your labia minora, or inner vaginal lips, at the top of your vulva. All, some, or none of your glans may be covered by your clitoral hood.
Internal to your body:
Your clitoris, inside the body, is structured like an inverted wishbone, with a branching clitoral body that forms a V shape.
Corpora, or body: Your clitoris's body is situated behind your glans. Consider it to be the unbroken top of a wishbone. The body reaches down and divides into the crura, or two legs.
Crura: Two legs that protrude from the clitoral body are known as the crura. Your clitoris' longest section is these. They encircle your urethra (the tube that takes urine out of your body) and vaginal canal together, forming the “V” of the wishbone.
Vestibular (clitoral) bulbs: These are located between the vaginal wall and the crura. The vestibular bulbs are a paired structure, just like the crura. They swell with blood and might even double in size when you get aroused.
Root: Your clitoris is made up of several tissues that are connected by nerves from the erectile tissue. These nerves meet at the root. Where the crura's legs converge is where the root is found.
There is a region inside your vagina known as the Grafenberg spot, or G-spot, that is just a few inches deep. The precise relationship between this and the clitoris is still unclear to experts. But if stimulated, it can also produce pleasure.
This region, where your clitoris' vestibular bulbs scrape on the vaginal wall, may make you feel lustful. This could be the cause of the connection between clitoris and vaginal orgasms.
Your clitoris measures approximately 3 1/2 to 4 1/4 inches in length. Its typical width is 2 1/2 inches. The glans on the exterior of your body have a diameter of only 3/4 to 1 inch.
Get Educated
A growing body of research and information is a good thing. The taboos around sex, female anatomy, and female pleasure are also gradually being lifted. However, how are these things going to benefit your clitoris, and your enjoyment as a woman? Here's how!
Go ahead and read. For instance, Lockhart's study is available at OMGYES, where it has been distilled into numerous brief movies.
Bid farewell to taboos. Taboos are largely to blame for the ignorance around the bodies of women. It's time to acknowledge the benefits of women's sexual pleasure and to be forthright and honest about it. And our notions that define a woman's value based only on her ability to have an orgasm through penile penetration? That needs to go.
Examine a model in 3D. Much of the clitoris is internal, in contrast to the penis. You have the option to print out your own three-dimensional model or view the images in the mini-document above.
Plan a time to spend alone yourself. Just as we can like different combinations of menu items at a restaurant, there are numerous ways to touch a clitoris, according to Lockhart. "Exploring and articulating the specific ways in which you or your significant other enjoy being touched can elevate the experience to a whole new plane."
Engage your significant other. Your relationship can grow and your in-bed adventures can be enhanced even if you only have these kinds of conversations. After gaining knowledge, impart that knowledge to the person or individuals in your life who are in a relationship with your clit.
Consult your physician. Women can orgasm in a myriad of ways and are triggered by a myriad of different factors. Ten percent of women report having difficulty obtaining an orgasm, while other women may experience problems related to their clitoral health. It's quite OK to discuss both subjects with your physician.
Common FAQs
What exactly is the clit?
The clitoris is renowned for being the only organ in the human body meant for pleasure-seeking! It consists of two main parts: the v-shaped 'legs' and 'bulbs' that extend from the clitoral hood and wrap around the vagina inside the body, and the glans clitoris and clitoral hood, which most people refer to as "the clit."
How do I find the clit?
At the apex of the vulva, above the urethra (where you urinate from), are the grana and clitoral hood. The two flaps of the labia minora, or inner vaginal lips, meet at the clitoral hood. Everybody's appearance may vary with this! Granas can range in size from the size of a pea for some persons to the size of a thumbprint for others. The clitoral hood covers all of the grana in some individuals, but only some or none of them.
Why does my clit hurt or why is my clit itchy?
It is normal to experience brief soreness in the clit following intense stimulation; however, you should consult your doctor if the pain continues or if it appears for no apparent reason. A reaction to a cream, lotion, soap, or other item applied to the vulva is frequently the cause of an itchy clit or vulva. Remember that using soap or fragrance to clean your vulva is not recommended! It's best to just use warm water. However, it can also be an indication of an infection, so it's wise to consult your doctor if the itching doesn't go away or if you have any concerns.
Where does the name ‘clitoris’ come from?
“Clitoris” comes from the ancient Greek work “kleitoris”, which means “the little hill”, and may be also related to the word “kleis”, which means “little key”, a play on words by the Greeks.
How to keep the clitoris healthy?
By regularly cleaning your genital area with warm water and mild soap, you can maintain the health of your clitoris. Avoid using deodorants and sprays with scent. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, don't douche.
Get a pelvic exam on a regular basis. These examinations assist your physician in identifying any issues that can impact the health of your clitoris. It will be easier to cure any problems if they are discovered early.
Having Pap smears and pelvic examinations regularly: Frequent screenings enable your doctor to identify clitoris-related disorders early on, enabling you to get the necessary therapy.
Defending yourself against sexually transmitted infections: Getting the HPV vaccine can lower your chance of getting cervical cancer. When having sex, using condoms or dental dams can shield you from diseases that could harm your clitoris.
Where is the rest of the clitoris located?
The little hooded portion of the clitoris that often protrudes above the entrance of the clitoral glans, which are connected to the Labia minora, is what most people refer to as the clitoris. The remaining clitoris, which typically make up three-fourths of the entire structure, are located inside your body.
How many nerve endings are there in the clitoris?
Approximately 8,000 sensitive nerve endings, double that of a penis, are found in the clitoris. However, the effects don't end there. Approximately 15,000 more nerve endings in the pelvic region can be impacted by sensations that begin in the clitoris.
What are the disorders that can affect the clitoris?
Certain circumstances may have an impact on your clitoris. Among them are:
Clitoromegaly: Your clitoris becomes larger than usual when this occurs. If you were exposed to an excessive amount of androgens—sex hormones like testosterone—as a fetus, you might have this. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) may result from this, when your clitoris resembles a tiny penis.
Disorders relating to hormones: A big clitoris can also result from other hormone imbalance-related conditions including polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Infections: Your vulva may be impacted by syphilis, trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, yeast infections, and herpes. They may also irritate your clitoris as a result.
Skin ailments: Your clitoral hood may stick to your clitoris to cause clitoral adhesions. This may have unpleasant side effects. An autoimmune condition called lichen sclerosis can cause scarring on the clitoris and vulva. Clitoral adhesions may result from this disorder.
Additionally, sensitivities to things like
Condoms
Sexual toys
Soaps, particularly those with potent fragrances
Deodorant sprays, and douches
Laundry detergent residue
Cancers: Your clitoris may be impacted by vulvar cancer as well as metastatic cancers (such as breast, cervical, and endometrial cancer).
Sexual activity that is too intense can also cause discomfort in the area.
What are the common signs of a condition affecting the clitoris?
Some of the common signs that your clitoris might be affected are:
Soreness: If your glans are subjected to excessive direct pressure or stimulation during sex—including vibrator-assisted sexual stimulation—your clitoris may become sore.
Pain: Your clitoris may suffer due to an injury, an infection, or a medical condition called clitorodynia. The clitoris and other vulva regions might hurt due to lichen sclerosus, clitoral adhesions, and vulvar malignancy.
Itching: An allergic reaction to creams, lotions, or bath products containing harsh substances may cause an itchy clitoris or clitoral hood. The components in your vibrator or your partner's condom may cause allergies in you.
What are the common treatments for the clitoris?
Although there are many high-end processes to treat the clitoris, here are some common ones:
Infections: Fungi and bacteria-related infections can be treated with prescription lotions and medications.
Cancer: Your doctor may remove some of the surrounding healthy tissue as well as the portion of skin that contains cancer cells by excising the affected area.