Surprising Facts About The Clit – Who is this article for?
This article is for most people who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) and their partners. While trans women and other folks who’ve had vaginoplasty do have clitorises, the information presented here might not be relevant to post-bottom surgery nerve structure.
If you think that this article will be helpful and affirming for you and/or your partner(s), read on.
What is the clitoris, and why does it Matter?
First of all, when it comes to the clit, there’s much more than meets the eye. With twice as many nerve endings as a typical penis, the clitoris is widely regarded as a powerhouse of sexual pleasure, and for many the magic button that pushes their orgasms over the edge. Still, the wonderous internal anatomy of the clitoris remains a mystery to most.
Surprising Facts About The Clit: #1 – It’s bigger than you think
Did you know the internal legs of the clitoris are 3 inches long? The clit’s internal anatomy includes a pair of legs that reach toward the “back door”, as well as two bulbs that swell beneath the labia. If you’ve ever noticed firm, bulbous engorgement behind your labia during times of sexual arousal, this may be why.
Surprising Facts About The Clit: #2 – It connects all the hot spots “down there.”
The clit might be the reason anal sex and G-spot stimulation feel so good. This is because its wishbone-shaped legs connect with every structure of the internal genitals, coming into close proximity or contact with both the rectum and the G-spot.
Surprising Facts About The Clit: #3 – Clitoral erections are real.
Cue the trumpets and fanfare for this one: the clitoris is made of erectile tissue! If it feels affirming, I invite you to try on the phrase, “lady boners are REAL!” When blood flows into erectile tissue, instead of it flowing back out right away, the tissue holds on. This causes the structure (clitoris, penis, etc.) to swell. So the next time your clit’s waving its flag high or your post-coital labia are making you waddle like a cowboy, give yourself a pat on the back for a clitoral erection well done.
Surprising Facts About The Clit: #4 – The clit has a foreskin.
The clitoral hood is actually a foreskin. (Psst! That means you can jack it off like a penis. #nonbinarylove) The foreskin serves to protect its sensitive nerve endings (there’s 8,000 in total) from harsh irritants such as fabric and misguided partners. That’s right, many people regard themselves as too sensitive for toys or oral sex because they’ve experienced the abrasive sensation of stimulation underneath the hood.
Bust out a hand mirror and explore until you can discern the difference between your clit being covered or uncovered by its hood. It’ll make a world of difference.
Surprising Fact About The Clit: #5 – You can’t “break” it with a vibrator
While some folks become temporarily numb after using a vibrator, there is no evidence to support permanent nerve damage. Factors that are more likely to prevent orgasms are dyspareunia (painful sex), chronic health conditions, and being raised in a sexually repressive environment.
Surprising Facts About The Clit: #6 – You can call it whatever you want!
Ready to have your mind blown with a public service announcement from nonbinary land? You can refer to your anatomy however you like! If you’re uncomfortable with certain terminology, pay attention to that. When you’re alone or with a trusted friend or partner experiment with different terminology to see if there’s something you like better. Try on the following terms and see how you like them:
- clit
- cliTORis (when you’re feeling fancy)
- dick
- peen
- tiny meat
- junk
- bits
- Blanche Devereau
Surprising Facts About The Clit: #7 – Many folks with clits are intersex
Out of every person born, 1-2 of them are intersex. In other words: there are as many intersex folks as there are redheads in the world! This can take a plethora of forms, many of which are not visible to the naked eye, but it’s not uncommon for intersex genitalia can look like an enlarged clitoris. Invasive and unnecessary surgeries are often performed on intersex newborns, sometimes even without the parents’ knowledge. If you want to learn more about this important issue, visit the website of this prominent intersex activist. Visit Pidgeon’s site to learn more about intersex activism.
Tips and Reminders for Clitoral Bliss
While the clitoris is magnificent, it is not “too complicated” to figure out (as many straight men seem to believe.) Explore, have fun, and if something doesn’t feel good, try something else. If toys seem too intense, remember to make sure that you’re not pushing the hood back (by applying pressure up toward the navel) but using downward pressure to keep the hood over the sensitive tip.
More importantly, use the right toy for the job! Many folks who are too sensitive for the intense vibrations of most bullets adore AMO and DiGiT for their deep, rumbly sensations. Give yourself the time and courtesy of learning how exactly your bells and whistles work. Then, you can let your partners in on your little secrets . . . and reward them for a job well done.