Clitoral Variety

Ah, the clitoris. This magic button unlocks troves of treasures. It’s the portal to passionate pleasure. The gateway to the land of orgasm. 

Like people, clitorises come in all different sizes. And believe it or not, size probably doesn’t matter. 

More Than Meets the Eye

First things first, we need to clarify what we’re talking about when we say “clit”.

The clitoris is a complex organ, that’s full of magic and mysticism. While scientific research is just starting to catch up with what women have known for forever. That there is much more to the clitoral structure than you can see from the outside. 

The anatomy of the clitoris extends far beyond the visible bit called the “clitoral hood”, by reaching into the labia, and wrapping around the vagina. The glans is neatly tucked in by the clitoral hood.

So when we say clit, we’re talking about the clitoral glans and the hood. 

The Mighty Clitoris

The magnificence of the clitoral glans is thanks to its more than 8,000 nerve endings, which is stimulated by the complex network of female erectile tissue through the rest of the clitoris. 

The hood is the part that tends to vary in size and shape. 

Kind of like how the hood on your sweatshirt covers your head, smaller ones expose your whole face, while others may come all the way down over your eyes, or even your chin. A weird visual, but it gets the message across!

One factor outside of genetics that can influence clit size is the hormone testosterone, which can enlarge the clit. Levels of this tough player can vary throughout a person’s cycle, lifetime, and hormonal issues including PCOS, CAH and other adrenal gland abnormalities.

Some female-bodied people use testosterone therapy to help balance symptoms of menopause, for body building or to enhance sex drive.

It’s also often used by transgender men, or other non-binary people aiming to shift their gender expression. 

So why else people have different sized clitoral hoods?

Why do people have different sized anything? Because we’re human, and we’re different. 

Despite this, many people still walk around feeling less than confident about what’s in between their legs. 

Does it Make a Difference?

Maybe.

An often cited study suggests that the location (distance between glans and vagina) and size of the clitoris may lead to more orgasms. Specifically for people with a shorter difference between clitoral glans and vagina, especially when it comes to vaginal penetration.

At the end of the day, who is really comparing this, and does it matter? Your journey with your sexual pleasure is between you and yourself – and maybe a partner(s). 

There are so many factors outside of clitoral structure that come into play in the game of orgasms. Anything from trauma, stress, medication, medical issues and hormonal status to how recently you’ve eaten can make an impact on when and how hard you cum. 

Unless you are in discomfort or pain during sex, there’s no need to worry about the size of your clit. If anything, think of it as an opportunity to experiment. To see what pushes your buttons, and what makes you tick.

Not that you needed an excuse to, but if you’re looking to expand your sexual horizons, make an effort to switch things up. Try out different positions, toys, and scenarios. If you’re doing this with a partner, prioritize communication, and if you’re solo-sexing, more power to you!

Another huge factor that can make a difference in how much sexual pleasure someone experiences, is shame or embarrassment. If you don’t feel comfortable about the size or structure of your clitoris and vulva, it may block you from deeper sensation.

Social Distortion 

Thanks to the standardization of female bodies, and what people deem “beautiful”, it’s all too common for someone with a larger clitoral hood to feel self-conscious, or like something is wrong with them. 

It’s understandably common for someone to only see a variety of vaginas while watching porn or in medical diagrams. Most of these women have smaller sized clitoral zones, or they are fetishized for having larger ones.

Either way, this distorts people’s views of female genitalia. 

Some people even go as far as to have clitoral hood reduction surgery. While there are some medical motivations behind this procedure like chronic yeast infections, mechanical chaffing or discomfort with sex, the reasons behind it are predominantly cosmetic. 

While we all need to drop judgement around the choices people make regarding their bodies, it does make you think – what societal pressures influence people to take such extreme measures?

Embrace Your Differences

Diversity is beautiful, and it makes the world go round. Why would it be any different when it comes to your clit? 

If you’re experiencing any shame around the size or shape of your vulva, or any part of your body for that matter, can you try to shift that to a state of celebration and appreciation? 

While it’s not always that simple, having gratitude for the beauty and magic of your body, especially for an organ that’s just there for your personal pleasure, can make all the difference.