- Jul 10
What (and Where) is the Clitoris?
- Team Sh!
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The clitoris – the pearl of pleasure that mystifies so many. If you Google the word clitoris, you will soon find that the majority of searches ask what a clitoris is, where it’s located and what the clit is actually for.
If you had a somewhat decent sex education (and many of us didn’t), you might have some idea of what a clitoris is and where it’s located. You might even be familiar with the tiny tip of the clit that you can see with the help of a mirror – unless you are exceptionally bendy and can perform a human-pretzel move to take an up-close look (in which case we salute you!).
But – did you know that the clitoris has legs? And two bulbs? We didn’t. Our sex education lacked information on the clitoral structure. If only we’d known about the clitoral anatomy earlier – sex could have been so much more pleasurable!
Well, let’s not waste more time. Let’s look at the clitoris in its entirety.
What is the clitoris?
The clitoris is a cluster of nerve endings nestled at the top of the vulva in female bodies. It’s similar to the glans (penis head) in male bodies, but much smaller. The external part of the clitoris is tiny! The internal structure of the clitoris is bigger, but we’ll come to that in a bit.
The clitoris is a complex and highly sensitive organ with different parts that can produce a variety of sensations. Understanding these differences is key to fully experiencing the pleasures it can offer.
The clitoris consists of an external glans, often referred to as the “tip,” which is the most sensitive part. The sensations felt here can be extremely intense, and direct stimulation may not always be pleasurable for everyone. In fact, some women find that overly firm or direct pressure on the tip can be uncomfortable or even painful. It’s important to start gently and gradually increase pressure based on what feels good.
Beyond the glans, the clitoris extends internally with structures known as the bulbs and crura, which surround the vaginal opening and extend down towards the perineum. These areas can also provide pleasurable sensations, often more diffuse and less intense than those of the glans. Exploring the entire clitoral structure and varying the type and intensity of touch can help in discovering what feels most pleasurable.
By taking the time to explore and pay attention to your body’s responses, you can learn how to best stimulate each part of your clitoris to enhance your sexual experience. Everyone’s preferences are unique, so it’s essential to experiment and communicate with yourself or a partner to find out what brings the most satisfaction.
The clitoral hood and tip
The clitoral hood covers the glans of the clit and keeps it warm, snug, and safe. It looks like a fold of skin connected to the inner lips at the top of the vulva. Some hoods are smaller whilst others are larger, but what they all have in common is that their main job is to protect the sensitive clitoris from friction. Believed to have around 10,000 sensory nerve endings sitting atop it, the tip of the clitoris is by far the most delicate part, so it makes sense that it needs to be protected.
During sexual play, the clitoris likes to play peek-a-boo. It pops out from under its hood, then occasionally pops back in again. This is perfectly normal – it’s just what it does. Stroking and touching on top of the hood is very sensual, so there is no need to stop playing if the clitoris withdraws for a while.
The internal clitoris
The internal clitoris is a fairly recent discovery. It’s been there, of course, hiding away inside until 1998, when Dr Helen O’Connell revealed that the internal clit is shaped like a wishbone. Dr O’Connell’s research showed that the clitoris is actually 10 times bigger than previously thought.
The internal parts play an important role in pleasure. The internal clitoris has two legs and two bulbs and is connected to the area known as the G-spot. During arousal, blood flows to the genital area and fills the two bulbs with blood. The filled bulbs, in turn, create a plumping effect of the labia and a narrowing of the outer third of the inner vaginal canal. It’s all connected!
When you understand that the largest part of the clitoris is nestled inside, it opens up a world of possibilities. The clit can be stimulated in multiple ways from the outside, not just by touching the tip. You can play with the labia lips, or apply pressure over the vulva. The tapping of a finger against the area also stimulates the internal clit in wonderful ways. Of course, vibrators are great sex toys for stimulating the clitoris. The sustained buzz can help a pre-orgasmic clitoris become orgasmic.
The importance of the clitoris for orgasms
The clitoris has one job: To give pleasure. That’s all it does. And it’s an important job!
The clitoris plays a huge role in the orgasm of women & vulva owners. It is estimated that 75%-80% of women & vulva owners need clitoral stimulation to have an orgasm. For a body part with only one job, the clit is very particular about how it’s treated. It likes gentle touches, soft swirls and rhythmic movements with just the right speed and pressure. Most clitorises dislike direct stimulation – it’s often too much and can even be painful. It’s far better to approach it from the side, with lubed-up fingers. We recommend trying to make a peace sign with two fingers and sliding them up and down the sides of the clitoris.
Clits come in a variety of sizes, but a bigger clit doesn’t mean better orgasms – it just means it’s easier to find.
Removal of, or damage to, the clitoris
Over the years, we have met many women who have had their clitorises removed or damaged by traditions such as female genital mutilation or medical procedures such as chemo and radiotherapy.
It is still possible to experience sexual pleasure with the help of a positive and curious mindset and the right tools. If this is you and you’d like more advice, email us at advice@shushlife.com and we’ll do our best to find products that will work for you.