It’s funny, isn’t it? We talk openly about so many parts of our bodies, but some topics still feel a bit… hushed. I’ve had patients, wonderful women, come into the clinic, and after we’ve discussed their main concern, they’ll pause, take a breath, and then, almost shyly, ask about their clitoris. And that’s perfectly okay! It’s an incredibly important part of your anatomy, designed purely for pleasure, and understanding it is key to understanding your own body and well-being.
So, let’s chat about the clitoris. Many folks picture it as just that small, sensitive nub at the top of the vulva (that’s the general term for the external female genitals). But oh, there’s so much more to it! It’s actually a complex network, with parts both outside and, believe it or not, inside your body. Stimulating your clitoris is what can lead to sexual arousal, building that lovely tension that can lead to an orgasm. Even without an orgasm, the sensations are usually quite pleasant.
What Your Clitoris Does: Purely Pleasure
Your clitoris has one primary job, and it’s a pretty great one: to allow you to experience sexual pleasure. Your entire vulva is an erogenous zone – meaning it’s sensitive to touch in a way that can feel sexually stimulating. But the clitoris? That’s the star player here. It’s the most sensitive part, capable of producing some of the most intense and pleasurable responses in your body.
Now, how it likes to be touched? That’s very individual.
- A partner’s tongue (oral sex)
- Fingers
- A sex toy
- Even contact with a partner’s genitals during intercourse can stimulate it, sometimes indirectly through the vaginal wall.
The best way to know what feels good is, well, to explore! Either by yourself or with a partner, getting familiar with what sensations you enjoy is a wonderful journey of self-discovery.
Understanding Clitoris Anatomy: More Than Meets the Eye
When we talk about where your clitoris is, most people point to that little button of tissue at the very top of the vulva. But a large part of it is actually inside your pelvic cavity.
The Part You Can See (External)
This external part sits at the top of your vulva. Just below it, you have the urethral opening (where urine comes out), then the vaginal opening, then a little stretch of skin called the perineum, and finally, the anus. Flanking the clitoris and vaginal opening are the labia minora (inner lips), and outside of those are the labia majora (outer lips). Above the clitoris, over your pubic bone, is the mons pubis.
If we zoom in on the external clitoris:
- Glans clitoris: This is what most people mean when they say “clit.” It’s that small nub, packed with nerve endings, making it super sensitive.
- Clitoral hood: The labia minora meet at the top to form a little protective hood over the glans. This hood might cover all of it, some of it, or none at all – everyone’s different!
The Hidden Part (Internal)
Inside, the clitoris is often described as looking a bit like an upside-down wishbone, with a body that branches out into a V-shape.
- Body (corpora): This is behind the glans, like the top part of the wishbone before it splits. It extends downwards and then divides into two “legs,” the crura.
- Crura: These are the two legs forming the “V” of the wishbone, and they’re the longest part of the clitoris. They run alongside your vaginal canal and urethra (the tube for urine).
- Vestibular (clitoral) bulbs: These are paired structures nestled between the crura and your vaginal wall. When you’re aroused, they fill with blood and can even double in size. Interesting, right?
- Root: All the nerves from the erectile tissue that makes up these different parts meet at the root, which is where the “legs” of the crura come together.
Now, you might have heard of the G-spot. Research is still ongoing, but the G-spot is an area a few inches inside the vagina, on the front wall, that can feel very pleasurable when stimulated. Some think this pleasure comes from the vestibular bulbs of the clitoris pressing against the vaginal wall. So, a “vaginal” orgasm might actually be very much related to clitoral stimulation. It’s all connected!
What Does the Clitoris Look Like?
From the outside, the glans often looks like a small pea or a flower bud, nestled under its hood and surrounded by the inner lips. If you could see the whole thing, as in medical diagrams, it really does resemble that wishbone shape, with the crura extending along the vaginal wall.
How Big Is It, Really?
The entire clitoris, from glans to the tips of the crura, is roughly 3.5 to 4.25 inches long and about 2.5 inches wide. The visible glans itself is usually about 3/4 inch to 1 inch across.
What’s It Made Of?
Your clitoris is a powerhouse of erectile tissue and nerves. Except for the glans, the clitoris is made of this special tissue that fills with blood and expands when you’re aroused – much like the tissue in a penis. When the crura and vestibular bulbs swell, they can make your labia swell too. This swelling can make the glans either more tucked in or stick out more. Inside, this swelling also adds pressure to the vaginal wall and helps with lubrication, making things more comfortable and pleasurable.
The glans is just packed with nerve endings. So many, in fact, that direct, hard pressure can sometimes be too much, even painful. We’re talking about several important nerves contributing to these sensations, like the dorsal nerve, parts of the pudendal nerve, and cavernous nerves.
How Many Nerve Endings Are We Talking About?
Get this: the glans alone has around 8,000 nerve endings! That’s more than any other part of your vulva. These nerves work together to create a whole spectrum of pleasurable feelings, depending on how the clitoris is touched and how aroused you are.
When Things Aren’t Quite Right: Clitoris Conditions
Sometimes, things can affect the clitoris and cause discomfort or changes.
Common Conditions and Disorders
- Clitoromegaly: This is when the clitoris is larger than typical. It often happens due to too many androgens (male-associated sex hormones) during fetal development and can be linked to conditions like congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). In CAH, the clitoris might even look like a small penis. Hormonal imbalances later in life, like with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can also lead to an enlarged clitoris.
- Infections: Just like other parts of the vulva, the clitoris can be affected by:
- Yeast infections
- Bacterial vaginosis
- Trichomoniasis
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- Herpes
- Skin Conditions:
- Lichen sclerosus: This is an autoimmune condition that can cause scarring on the vulva, including the clitoris.
- Clitoral adhesions: This is when the clitoral hood sticks to the glans. It can be painful because the clitoris can’t move freely. Infections, lichen sclerosus, or hormone issues can cause this.
- Cancer:
- Vulvar cancer: While it most often affects the labia, cancer can occur on the clitoris.
- Metastatic cancer: Cancers from other areas, like breast, cervical, or endometrial cancer, can sometimes spread to the clitoris.
Signs Something Might Be Up
If you notice any of these, it’s a good idea to have a chat with your doctor:
- Soreness: Your clitoris might feel sore from too much direct pressure or stimulation, even from a vibrator if it’s too intense.
- Pain (Clitorodynia): An injury, infection, or a condition like lichen sclerosus, clitoral adhesions, or vulvar cancer can cause pain in the clitoris or surrounding vulva.
- Itching: An itchy clitoris or hood could be from an allergic reaction to soaps, lotions, or even the material in condoms or sex toys.
How We Check Things Out
If the look of your clitoris changes suddenly, we might suggest:
- Imaging (like an ultrasound)
- A biopsy (taking a tiny sample of tissue to look at under a microscope) to check for cancer.
If a baby is born with an unusually large clitoris, we might do blood tests to check hormone levels or genetic tests to look for disorders of sex differentiation.
Treating Clitoral Issues
How we treat it depends on what’s going on:
- Infections: Prescription creams or pills usually clear up bacterial or fungal infections.
- Cancer: If it’s cancer, the treatment often involves surgically removing the affected skin and a little bit of the healthy tissue around it.
- Atypical Genitalia: In the past, surgeries called clitoroplasty were sometimes done to make atypical genitals look more conventionally male or female. Nowadays, there’s a growing understanding that intersex individuals should have a say in these decisions. Surgery often isn’t needed unless anatomical differences affect the urethra and make it hard to urinate.
Caring for Your Clitoris: Simple Tips
Keeping your clitoris healthy is part of overall genital health. Here are a few simple things:
- Regular Pelvic Exams and Pap Smears: These check-ups help us catch any conditions early, including those that might affect your clitoris.
- Protect Against STIs: Using condoms or dental dams during sex can protect you from infections. The HPV vaccine is also great for reducing the risk of cervical cancer, which can indirectly relate to vulvar health.
Take-Home Message: Understanding Your Clitoris
Here are the key things I hope you remember about your amazing clitoris:
- It’s more than just a “button”; it’s a complex organ with internal and external parts.
- Its sole purpose is sexual pleasure, packed with around 8,000 nerve endings in the glans alone.
- Understanding its anatomy (glans, hood, body, crura, bulbs) helps you understand your body better.
- Be aware of potential issues like infections, skin conditions, or pain, and see a doctor if you have concerns.
- Regular check-ups and safe sex practices are important for clitoris and overall vulvar health.
You’re doin’ great just by wanting to learn more. Your body is incredible, and understanding all its parts, including your clitoris, is empowering. You’re not alone in this journey of discovery!
