There’s a lot to know about the clitoris that isn’t often discussed. Many people, even those who have one, don’t know where the clitoris is, what its function is and the role it plays in orgasm and sexual pleasure. We tell you all about it!
What is the clitoris?
The clitoris is part of the vulva. It is an anatomical organ located outside the female genital tract, above the vaginal opening. It is a highly sensitive and erectile organ. It is composed of erectile tissue, nerves and blood vessels. Although part of the female reproductive anatomy, the clitoris has no reproductive function. This pea-sized body part is the only part of the body whose sole purpose is sexual pleasure through stimulation. It’s often referred to as the “clit”.
Where is it located?
The clitoris is part of the vulva, the outer part of the female genitalia. It is located at the top of the vulva, above the vaginal orifice.
In addition to the clitoris, the vulva includes:
- the labia majora, or outer lips
- the labia minora, or inner lips
- The opening of the urethra, a tube-like structure through which urine flows.
What is the role of the clitoris?
The clitoris is part of the female genital apparatus and plays an essential role in orgasm during sexual activity. Although part of the female genital tract, the clitoris has no reproductive function. Its sole function is to provide sexual pleasure.
What does it look like?
You may recognize the outer part of the clitoris, which looks like a pea-sized button near the top of the vaginal opening. The clitoris also has internal elements that are shaped like a wishbone.
Like the penis, the clitoris becomes erect when aroused. During arousal, tissues called vestibular bulbs become gorged with blood. Muscle spasms then release the trapped blood if orgasm is achieved. Keep in mind that there’s no one way the clitoris “should” look. The clitoris exists in many different sensitivities and sizes and is unique to each person.
External anatomy
The part of the clitoris you see is the glans, a small structure that provides information for sexual arousal. The glans sends messages that signal pleasure via the dorsal nerve, which runs inside the body. The skin, or clitoral hood, covers and protects the glans outside the clitoris.
Internal anatomy
People usually only talk about the external parts when they talk about the clit. But there’s more to the clitoris than just its hood and glans. The internal parts of the clitoris include: The body, The pillars, the root, the shaft & the vestibular bulbs.
The pillars and stalk are spongy, long and extend along the sides of the vagina. These V-shaped tissue structures become engorged with blood when aroused.
How big is the clit?
The clitoris is about 11 cm long, most of which lies inside the body. What you see on the outside is just a pea-sized button. Clitorises come in all shapes and sizes.
Stimulation of the clitoris
The clitoris is the most nerve-rich part of the vulva. The glans has around 8,000 nerve endings. Each person needs a different type of stimulation to feel satisfied. Some people may be too sensitive for direct clitoral stimulation.
One of the best-known pleasure zones is the G-spot, a sensitive area inside the vagina that gives pleasure if stimulated correctly. However, the number of people with a vagina who have an orgasm following vaginal stimulation is low. In a study published in 2016, only 6% of people reached orgasm with vaginal-only stimulation. Another study published in 2018 noted that 18.4% of people could reach orgasm during vaginal intercourse.
In contrast, almost 70% of people with a vagina reach orgasm when, during vaginal intercourse, there is clitoral stimulation. You can stimulate your clitoris by yourself, or a partner or a sextoy (such as a clitoral stimulator, clitoral vacuum or clit sucker). It’s all about exploring the possibilities to find what pleases you most.
How do you take care of it?
You can take care of your clitoris by practicing good vaginal hygiene. It’s not necessary to use cleansing products to wash the vagina. The vagina produces mucus that removes menstrual blood, semen and vaginal discharge to keep it clean. You can gently cleanse the area with lukewarm water when you take a bath or shower.
There are other ways to keep your clitoris healthy:
- Change your pads or tampons frequently if you have your period.
- Don’t use scented hygiene products, pads, tampons or toilet paper. These products can cause “bad” bacteria to proliferate, leading to infection.
- Stay hydrated. This helps cleanse the urinary tract and protect it from infection.
- Wear light, breathable fabrics, including cotton underwear, to avoid trapping moisture.
The clitoris is a reproductive organ whose shape and size can vary from person to person. This pea-sized organ has no reproductive function and provides only sexual pleasure. You can explore your clitoris alone or with a partner. It’s important to communicate what works for you and what doesn’t if a partner is involved.