The clitoris may be just a small bean-like organ above the vagina but anyone who has one or knows someone who does can testify that it does quite big things for something of its size. Research shows that for most people, clitoral stimulation is the only way they can get an orgasm and not vaginal stimulation! Well, the clitoris is a pretty impressive organ, you’ll be surprised to learn just how much more there’s to it.
Before we get into the facts let's start with the basics…
What and where is it anyway?
The clitoris is a nerve-dense body part responsible for those feel-good orgasms. Outside it may feel like some kind of hill or pea-like structure but all you see is just the tip of the iceberg. (We’ll get into that later). Ever heard of the vulva? The vulva is the umbrella term used to describe all of the external female genital organs while the vagina is an internal organ.
The organs that make up the vulva are:
The labia majora, the larger/outer lips
The labia minora, the smaller/inner lips
The clitoris
The area that surrounds the vagina (The vestibule of the vagina)
(The bulb of the vestibule) found on either side of the vagina
The glands of Bartholin, secrete mucus to lubricate the vagina
Sounds confusing? You can learn more about its anatomy from the Graceful Guide to female pleasure.
Why do we have it?
Well.., it has one single purpose; sexual pleasure! Although it’s true that the entire vulva is sexually stimulated when touched, the clitoris is the most sensitive. It’s capable of producing the most intense and most pleasurable sexual responses in your body.
The most pleasurable types of touch vary from person to person. It could be contact with a tongue (oral sex), fingers, a sex toy or your partner’s genitals. Experimenting with different types of touch by yourself or with a partner can help you familiarize yourself with the types of sensations that feel best for you.
But before you start experimenting here are a few facts to keep in mind:
1: It’s larger than you think
Remember when we mentioned earlier that what you see is just the tip of the iceberg. It’s a fact! Don’t let that small nub fool you. On the outside is only a 1/4 of it. Inside, the vagina has two legs that extend three inches into the vagina, connecting to the G-Spot representing the remaining 3/4. When it comes to sex, don’t feel shy to try out different positions that will not only stimulate the exterior part of the clitoris but also the interior. As long as you communicate and express what works for you.
2: They don’t all look or react the same
Like every other part of the body, the clitoris varies from person to person. Think of it this way, no matter how familiar you and your sibling or family member may look, we can’t exactly say that a certain part of your body is identical. Besides just like our menstrual cycles our bodies are also unique. Aside from the physical, the needs also vary from one person to the other.
You are not broken if it takes a while for you. Don’t let anyone tell you that your orgasm should happen quickly. On average it takes 20-25 minutes of stimulation and foreplay before a woman is fully aroused. For some even 45 minutes and this is normal. Nothing a little extra foreplay can’t fix.
3: It’s sensitive
The clitoris has about 8,000 sensitive nerve endings. Yes, 8000, double the amount of a penis. But it doesn’t stop there: The sensations experienced in the clitoris can spread across the pelvic area, affecting about 15,000 other nerve endings. It’s OK, take that all in.
Does that explain a little why orgasms feel the way they do?
4: It grows throughout your lifetime
Right when puberty begins, the clitoris starts to increase in size, usually getting 1.8 times larger by the time puberty ends. It doesn’t stop there even after menopause it grows to seven times the size it was at birth. Don’t worry, the changes in growth are unnoticeable. These changes are relatively unnoticeable since it’s so small, to begin with.
What this could mean for your sex life is that how you experience sex may also vary throughout your life. You may notice that you are more easily aroused as you grow older and no it’s not just because you are ovulating or in your fertile window.
5: It’s quite similar to the penis.
The clitoris might have more nerve endings than the penis but they are similar in a lot of ways. How? For starters, they both have glans, a foreskin—aka the clitoral hood—and even a shaft. And just like the penis, it also grows/swells when aroused. During your next foreplay session let the swelling of your clitoris guide you:)
6: It gets an erection
Yes! It does. Very normal and natural. If you thought erections just apply to the penis, well… you’ve just been schooled 😉 It may be tucked away from the eye but when aroused it becomes erect. When aroused, blood rushes to the erectile tissue that makes up the clit (the same tissue as in a penis), causing it to become engorged. This is a clitoral erection. To the touch, it can be super sensitive. However, it’s possible that you’ve gotten a clitoral erection when you were aroused and didn’t notice.
7: It’s a natural painkiller
If you suffer from painful period cramps, orgasms can release endorphins, which are a natural way to alleviate discomfort. When you climax the uterus contracts more, which in turn can lead to shorter periods too! The dip in the sex hormone progesterone that happens at the start of a new cycle also when you are menstruating can be responsible for increasing libido. This makes it perfectly normal to experience a high sex drive while you’re bleeding.
Chances are you might look and think of your clitoris a little differently now after reading this. As you’ve seen the main function of this organ is sexual pleasure and there are many characteristics that aid and support this. If you are hoping to spice up your sex life then knowing these basics could go a long way whether it comes to experimenting or communicating your needs and wants.
Stay informed, stay in control Have you learned something today?