The more we talk about the clitoris, the more we normalize and destigmatize female bodies and sexuality. To honor our powerhouse of pleasure, we're sharing a few of our favorite facts about this organ.
It’s 2023 and the clitoris, one of the female pleasure keys, remains shrouded in mystery and misinformation. The stigma around female sexuality and pleasure is partly to blame for this lack of understanding, but also for one of the cruelest practices in our part of the world, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
The more we talk about the clitoris, the more we normalize and destigmatize female bodies and sexuality. To honor our powerhouse of pleasure, we're sharing a few of our favorite facts about this organ.
1. It's bigger than you think.
Did you know that the clitoris is an entire system of body parts, both external and internal? Only a quarter of the clitoris – the clitoral head and the hood – is visibly located outside the body. The rest of this organ extends deep within the female pelvic area. Its internal structure consists of two corpora cavernosa, which form a wishbone-like structure that surrounds the vagina and urethra. This hidden part of the clitoris is responsible for much of the pleasure experienced during sexual stimulation.
2. Its primary role is pleasure.
While scientists are still studying the link between the clitoris and fertility, it is widely agreed that the most important known role this organ plays is linked to pleasure.
3. It enables you to experience multiple orgasms in a row.
Unlike a penis, your clitoris can maintain most of its blood supply after an orgasm, allowing for multiples shortly after.
4. It increases in size when you are aroused.
Clitorises can range from 7 cm to 12 cm in length. When you are aroused and nearing orgasm, it increases in size and can swell by up to 300%.
5. It never ages and is ever-growing.
During puberty, the clitoris can grow up to 1.8 times in size. By the time a woman reaches menopause, it could be up to 2.5 times bigger than when she was a teen. The increase in size may lead to greater sensitivity and pleasure during sexual activity.
6. It comes in different shapes, colors, and sizes.
Just like every woman's vulva is different, so is her clitoris. This refers to the way it looks but also to its sensitivity and preference to touch and pressure.
7. It’s a pleasure powerhouse.
The clitoris is densely packed with nerve endings – approximately 8,000 – making it one of the most sensitive areas of the female body. This concentration of nerve endings is primarily designed for sexual pleasure, making the clitoris a crucial component of female sexual arousal and orgasm.
8. It's a dynamic organ.
The clitoris is not only sensitive but also highly responsive to changes in the body. During sexual arousal, it swells and becomes engorged with blood, similar to the erectile tissue in the penis. This increased blood flow heightens sensitivity and enhances sexual pleasure.
9. It’s been debated since the dawn of time.
The clitoris has been both revered and stigmatized throughout history, depending on the cultural context. In ancient Greece, it was believed that the clitoris played a crucial role in conception, while during the Victorian era, it was seen as a sign of female hysteria and treated with suspicion. Today, the clitoris is recognized as a vital component of female sexual health and pleasure.
A final note
The clitoris is a fascinating and complex organ that plays a vital role in female sexual pleasure. As we continue to learn more about it and about our bodies, we open the door for a deeper understanding of female pleasure and for the stigmatization of our sexuality.
Where is the Clitoris? (2020). Dame Products. https://dame.com/blogs/wellbeing/where-is-the-clitoris?_pos=1&_sid=04d77bd46&_ss=r
7 Most Erogenous Zones On a Woman. (2021, November 24). MedicineNet. https://www.medicinenet.com/7_most_erogenous_zones_on_a_woman/article.htm
5 Clitoris Facts | What is the Clitoris? | Natural Cycles. (2023, March 14). Natural Cycles. https://www.naturalcycles.com/cyclematters/5-facts-about-the-clitoris
Herbenick, D., Fu, T., Arter, J., Sanders, S. A., & Dodge, B. (2017). Women’s Experiences With Genital Touching, Sexual Pleasure, and Orgasm: Results From a U.S. Probability Sample of Women Ages 18 to 94. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 44(2), 201–212. https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623x.2017.1346530
