Welcome to The Women’s Journal’s comprehensive guide on the clitoris – the female sexual organ that is often misunderstood, ignored, or simply not talked about enough. In this article, we will take you through everything you need to know about the clitoris, its anatomy, function, and how to pleasure it.

The clitoris is a female sexual organ that has long been shrouded in mystery and controversy. Despite being a key player in female sexual pleasure, the clitoris has been largely ignored or misunderstood throughout history. In fact, it wasn’t until the 1990s that the clitoris was fully recognised as an anatomical structure, with its complexity and sensitivity only beginning to be explored.

The Clitoris: An Overview

At the heart of female sexuality lies a small, but incredibly powerful organ called the clitoris. The clitoris is a small, highly sensitive organ located at the top of the vulva, just above the vaginal opening. It is one of the most important parts of female sexual anatomy and is responsible for producing sexual pleasure and orgasm. Despite its importance, the clitoris has been largely ignored in sexual education and conversations about sex, leading to a lack of understanding about this crucial sexual organ.

What is the clit?

The ‘clit’ or clitoris is a small, highly sensitive organ located at the top of the vulva, where the labia minora meet. Despite its small size (typically about 0.5 to 1.5 centimetres in length), the clitoris contains a vast network of nerve endings, making it one of the most sensitive parts of the female body.

The Anatomy of the Clitoris

The clitoris is a small, pea-shaped organ located just above the vaginal opening. Despite its small size, it contains thousands of nerve endings and is considered to be the most sensitive part of the female genitalia. It is a complex structure, with many parts that work together to produce pleasure. At its most basic level, the clitoris is composed of two main parts: the glans and the shaft.

The glans is the visible part of the clitoris, located at the top of the vulva. It is covered by a small hood of skin called the clitoral hood, which protects it from direct stimulation. The shaft is the long, narrow portion of the clitoris that extends into the body, and the crura are two arms that extend from the shaft and attach to the pelvic bone.

The Glans

The glans is the external, visible part of the clitoris that sits above the vaginal opening. It is covered by a small hood of skin called the clitoral hood, which protects it from direct stimulation. The glans contains thousands of nerve endings, making it extremely sensitive to touch and vibration.

The Shaft

The shaft is the internal part of the clitoris that extends down into the body. It is made up of two corpora cavernosa, which are spongy tissues that fill with blood during sexual arousal, causing the clitoris to become erect.

In addition to the glans and shaft, the clitoris also contains the crura, which are two thin, elongated structures that extend down from the shaft and attach to the pubic bone. The clitoris also has two vestibular bulbs, which are located on either side of the vaginal opening and fill with blood during arousal, causing the vagina to expand and become more sensitive.

Function of the Clitoris

The clitoris serves a vital function in female sexual pleasure and orgasm. When stimulated, the clitoris fills with blood and becomes erect, increasing sensitivity and arousal. The clitoris can be stimulated in a variety of ways, including manual stimulation, oral sex, and penetration.

For many women, clitoral stimulation is necessary for achieving orgasm. Some women are able to achieve orgasm through clitoral stimulation alone, while others require a combination of clitoral and vaginal stimulation.

Understanding Clitoral Stimulation

When the clitoris is stimulated, whether through direct touch or other forms of sexual stimulation, it can lead to intense sexual arousal and orgasm in many women. However, the exact methods of clitoral stimulation that works best can vary widely from woman to woman. Some women prefer gentle, indirect stimulation, while others may prefer more intense, direct pressure. Experimenting with different techniques and communicating with your partner can help you discover what works best for you.

How to Pleasure the Clitoris

Pleasuring the clitoris can be a highly individualised experience, as every woman’s body is different and may respond differently to different types of stimulation. However, there are some general tips that can help enhance clitoral pleasure.

First, it is important to communicate with your partner about what feels good and what doesn’t. This can involve verbal communication, as well as nonverbal cues such as moaning or shifting your body position. Experimenting with different types of touch, pressure, and speed can also help enhance pleasure.

Using a sex toy, such as a vibrator, can also be a great way to enhance clitoral pleasure. Vibrators can provide a consistent level of stimulation that may be difficult to achieve through manual stimulation alone. When using a vibrator, it is important to start on a low setting and gradually increase the intensity as desired.

The clitoris is an incredibly important part of female sexual anatomy that has been largely ignored or misunderstood. By understanding the anatomy and function of the clitoris, as well as how to pleasure it, women and their partners can enhance their sexual experiences and achieve greater levels of pleasure and satisfaction.

Tips for Clitoral Stimulation

If you’re looking to explore the world of clitoral stimulation, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Start with a slow build-up of arousal, focusing on gentle, indirect stimulation at first.
• Experiment with different forms of stimulation, such as manual touch, oral sex, or the use of sex toys.
• Communicate with your partner about what feels good and what doesn’t.
• Remember that everyone’s preferences are different, so don’t be afraid to explore and experiment.

Common Misconceptions About the Clitoris

Despite its crucial role in female sexual pleasure, the clitoris has been shrouded in misconceptions throughout history. Some of the most common misconceptions include:

• The clitoris is only a small, insignificant part of the female anatomy.
• The clitoris is only necessary for sexual pleasure, and serves no other function.
• All women experience sexual pleasure from clitoral stimulation in the same way.
• The clitoris is only located in one specific spot.

Is it true that some women can orgasm solely from clitoral stimulation?

Yes, many women are able to orgasm solely from clitoral stimulation, while others may require additional forms of stimulation as well.

Can the clitoris become desensitised over time?

Like any part of the body, the clitoris can become desensitised with overuse or improper stimulation. Taking breaks between sexual activity and experimenting with different techniques can help prevent desensitisation.

Are there any medical conditions that can affect the clitoris?

Yes, there are several medical conditions that can affect the clitoris, including clitoral hypertrophy (enlargement of the clitoris), clitoral phimosis (tightening of the clitoral hood), and clitoral adhesions (scar tissue that can form on the clitoris).