Do you know someone who raves about her clitoral piercing? Has a character on one of your favorite TV shows had this done? Or do you simply wonder why someone might?
There are a lot of things to know about clit piercings before you choose to get one, and you should make yourself aware of the healing process to minimize pain and scar tissue. Fortunately, we’ve got the answers to all your burning questions about clitoral piercings.
ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CLIT PIERCINGS?
Yes. A piercing directly through the clitoral glans is one type. The more common type is through the clitoral hood. This type of piercing is less painful and often easier to keep in place than a direct glans piercing. You may only be a candidate for a clitoral hood piercing if your clitoris remains tucked too closely to your body or hidden by your hood when not erect – up to 95% of women aren’t suited for a glans piecing. A piercing artist will be able to tell you which type of clitoris piecing you can get.
Clitoral hood piercings will be defined by whether they’re vertical (VCH) or horizontal (HCH). This piercing provides the most stimulation to your clit. Vertical hood piercings placed at either or both sides of the clitoris are sometimes known as Diana piercings. A horizontal hood piercing as an ornamental piercing because, unless the jewelry is a circular barbell that can be placed directly against the clitoris, it won’t provide additional stimulation.
There are also non-clitoral genital piercings for women. These include piercing of the inner and outer labia, a fourchette, which is a vertical piercing at the perineum. A triangle piercing is a horizontal piercing behind the clitoris at the base of the hood. This piercing provides sensation from behind the clitoris. You’ll only be able to get this piercing if you can pinch the shaft of the glans and lift it up to create space for the piercing. This correct position of this piercing is high enough that it creates a single hole rather than two separate inner labia piercings.
WHAT TYPE OF JEWELRY IS USED FOR A CLITORIS PIERCING?
You can use either a captive bead ring or a barbell through a clitoral piercing. Both of these types of jewelry also work for hood piercings, depending upon the type, and straight barbells are used for fourchette piercings. A circular barbell might be used for a triangle piercing rather than an open, curved barbell.
Typically, a 16 gauge barbell is used for most of these piercings, but you may want to start with a 12 gauge for a triangle piercing.
WILL A CLIT PIERCING HURT?
Like any piercing, a needle is going through your body, so it will hurt. How much depends on your pain tolerance. Your piercing professional might recommend that you take a non-aspirin pain killer such as ibuprofen prior to your appointment, but the actual procedure is quite quick. After your piercing has healed, it shouldn’t hurt. You probably won’t even be aware of the jewelry in your clitoris. However, a piecing that is too loose and is able to catch on clothing may be painful, especially if it rips out.
HOW IS A CLIT PIERCING DONE?
Your piercer will first clean the area with an antiseptic. Don’t get any piercing from a business that is less than sterile! A professional always wears gloves, no matter where the piercing is.
Depending upon your anatomy, your piercing professional may clamp your clitoral glans or hood to allow for piercing. Your piercer will use a needle to go through your glans or hood to create the piercing. The needle may be attached to the jewelry that will be placed, your piercer may fill it with the jewelry of your choice that is suitable to the location and style of piercing after removing the needle.
WILL A CLITORIS PIERCING ADD SENSATION?
Many women experience an increase in clitoral size and growth, which contributes to increased sensitivity in their clitoris. Many women report than fingering, oral sex and even using sex toys becomes more pleasurable after getting a clitoris piercing.
Some woman are even able to experience orgasm for the first time after getting a clit piercing! It may also help you to have multiple orgasms or bring you to orgasm more often with your partner. Having your clitoris pierced may provide additional stimulation during nonsexual activities.
A triangle piercing provides a different sort of sensation because the feeling comes from behind the clitoris and won’t increase stimulation such as oral sex from the front.
You might find that you like positions such as missionary even better once you get a clitoral piercing.
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HEALING?
Healing of a clit piercing can take between four and six weeks. Healing may take longer if the piercing was not done correctly. You can promote healing by keeping the air dry, which may be difficult because your vulva tends to be moist and sweat can accumulate in the area. Wearing cotton undies that allow your vulva to breathe can help with this.
It is important that you use a condom after getting a genital piercing, even if you’re on birth control, have a latex allergy or in a committed relationship. Bacteria in the area can lead to a nasty infection! You should also use a dental dam when receiving oral sex. Non-sterile pools, hot tubs and lakes can also increase the likelihood of an infection at the piercing site, so avoid swimming until healing has finished.
You can use a number of products to help your piercing heal. These include sterile saline solution and a mixture of 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt and one cup of warm distilled or bottled water. You don’t want to use harsh soaps or solutions such as hydrogen peroxide, Bactine, Betadine or even Dial hand soaps.
You can expect the area to be tender and swollen immediately after piercing. Bruising and bleeding are also common. However, pain and marks should decrease as your piercing heals. A yellow or white discharge may form a crust around the jewelry. This is completely normal. As it heals, the piercing may become tighter around the jewelry. Over cleansing a clitoral piercing can actually lead to more irritation.
Your jewelry may not move freely once the piercing heels, and you shouldn’t try to force it. You shouldn’t remove your jewelry during the healing process because a clit piercing can close in a matter of minutes! If your jewelry falls out, replacing it immediately is vital if you don’t want your clitoral piercing to close!
Once it is healed, you can cleanse with a gentle soap that’s not scented or colored, just like you would before getting pierced. While healing, you can mix this soap in a ratio of 1:15 with warm water. You should always wash your hands before cleaning or touching your clitoris after it has been pierced. Intimate cleansing wipes like those from the Before & After brand or Afterglow might help to keep the area clean and fresh!
Even after healing has finished, your piercing can close up quickly, so be careful not to leave the hole empty for any period of time. Consider carrying a sterile piece of jewelry or extra ball end on your person at all times just in case!
WHAT DO GUYS THINK ABOUT A CLITORIS PIERCING?
Many guys are turned on when they have sex with a woman who has a clitoral piercing. Of course, your man should like it if you enjoy sex more. Plus, he might just find piecing attractive in general. Some men are turned on by the idea of women who take charge of their sexuality and aren’t afraid to show it.
However, some men might try to slut shame you if they know you’ve got your clit pierced. Finally, some men might take this as a sign as you being too sexual or may simply not like the look of the piercing.
Furthermore, your man may not be thrilled if you choose to not have sex while your piercing heals. Consider giving him amazing head or hand jobs during this time.