The clitoris is a small, spongy tissue located at the front of the vagina, specifically at the region where the labia lips meet. While the clitoral tip is visible as a small nub, the entire clitoral structure has 4-inch roots that remain invisible. When you’re sexually aroused, the clitoris fills with blood, and the surrounding nerve endings become highly sensitive. Touching (and stimulating) the clitoris in this state can lead to deep pleasure and powerful orgasms.
Since the clitoris serves no purpose other than delivering sexual pleasure, it’s usually called the seat of pleasure in the human body. While most people identify traditional, heteronormative sex through the lens of vaginal penetration and stimulation, most females state they can only achieve orgasm through clitoral stimulation. Vaginal stimulation might feel good, but clitoral stimulation delivers true pleasure. But like all organs, the clitoris may also develop problems that lead to itchiness, soreness, pain, or loss of sensitivity.
This article describes the 5 problems you might have with your clitoris.
Clitoral Atrophy
Clitoral atrophy is a condition wherein the clitoris stops responding to sexual arousal, making it incapable of delivering sexual pleasure and orgasms. This usually happens because of insufficient blood flow to the vagina and clitoris, which can make the clitoris shrink and even disappear. You may suffer from clitoral atrophy because of infrequent use, major shifts in hormones, menopause, using hormone birth control, and other factors.
Clitoral atrophy isn’t as common as vaginal atrophy, a condition wherein a reduction in estrogen levels can lead to the thinning of vaginal tissues. But even though clitoral atrophy is relatively uncommon, it can still be a source of concern for some females. Loss of clitoral sensation is a serious sexual issue, especially since most females derive orgasms through clitoral stimulation.
If you believe you’re suffering from clitoral atrophy, you can implement the following treatments.
Masturbate
The clitoris needs regular sexual stimulation and arousal to remain active. If you’re noticing the symptoms of clitoral atrophy, you can try restoring sensation through masturbation. Place yourself in a relaxed state and stimulate your clitoris using different techniques and motions. You can also ask your partner to help with clitoral stimulation — oral sex is an excellent means of stimulating the clitoris and increasing blood flow.
Clitoral Suction Vibrators
Clitoral suction vibrators, such as Namii by Biird, are specifically designed to induce deep clitoral stimulation. Namii delivers pulses of suction force while vibrating the clitoris, which can activate the entire clitoral structure, not just the clitoral tip. Masturbating with clit suckers can help stimulate your clitoris even in its shrunken state, improve blood flow to the clitoris, and eventually restore sensation.
Increase Activities
You can increase blood flow to your clitoris through regular cardiovascular activities, such as running, swimming, dancing, and more. When you increase your heart rate through exercise, your body pumps more blood into different organs. It can also prevent your testosterone levels from dropping, improving your clitoral sensations.
Testosterone Supplements
If you are diagnosed with clitoral atrophy by your doctor, you may receive testosterone supplements in the form of topical creams, pills, or injections. Testosterone supplements can restore your testosterone levels, an essential component of clitoral sensitivity. Over time, your clitoris will activate, and you’ll experience optimal sexual sensation.
Clitoromegaly
Clitoromegaly, also known as macroclitoris or an enlarged clitoris, is a condition wherein the size of your clitoris increases. There is no standard size for a clitoris, and the size of the clitoris can also increase or decrease within normal bounds, especially when you’re aroused. But if the clitoris becomes longer than 10 millimeters in adults or 9 millimeters in newborns, the individual is said to have an enlarged clitoris.
An enlarged or swollen clitoris may occur because of general inflammation of the vulva, also known as vulvitis. You may develop an allergic reaction to soaps and laundry detergents, yeast infections, or excessive friction during sex, which can lead to a swelling of the clitoris. You may also experience an enlarged clitoris because of excessive testosterone, which can make the clitoris swell and expand.
An enlarged clitoris isn’t a medically serious condition. In most cases, your clitoris may return to its original size soon, but you should monitor the condition and consult your doctor if you experience any pain or if the swelling doesn’t go away within a few days.
Clitoral Soreness
It’s extremely common to have a sore clitoris. You may develop clitoral soreness from excessive stimulation, rough stimulation, or simply from wearing tight clothes. You may also experience clitoral soreness because of increased external pressure on your clitoris, which can lead to clitoral pain and discomfort, which is medically known as clitorodynia.
Clitoris pain can make it hard to engage in certain activities, such as sexual activities, masturbation, exercise, and walking. You can reduce clitoral pain by applying a heating or cooling pad. But if clitoral pain and soreness continue for several days, you must visit your doctor to explore possible treatment options.
Swollen Clitoris
You may experience clitoral swelling when the clitoral hood retracts slightly because of trauma or excessive stimulation. If clitoral swelling continues for several days, it can also get infected, so you need to contact a medical doctor. Everyone experiences occasional clitoral swelling and expansion because of sexual arousal and different physiological factors, but a swollen clitoris is only considered problematic when it causes pain or lasts for extended periods.
Lumpy Clitoris
The clitoris is essentially a lump at the top of the vagina. But if you notice a new or unfamiliar lump on your clitoris, you need to contact a doctor. You should not develop new lumps in your clitoris. If you experience pain, itching sensations, bleeding, or other persistent and abnormal sensations in your clitoris, you must contact your doctor immediately.
You must educate yourself on genital health to identify abnormalities that need attention. The sex education we receive at school is woefully inadequate, so you need to educate yourself. If you understand your body and anatomy, you are in a better position to identify anomalies when they occur — and not worry about conditions that are perfectly normal.
