There's a lot of misinformation and misinformation in the world of sex. Sometimes it's harmful, and other times it's quite neutral. Check out the following four myths about the clitoris.
Myth #1: The clitoris is nothing more than a small button or bump on the top of the vulva.
TRUE: The clitoris, or the entire clitoral structure, is shaped like a wishbone, and most of its structure is internal. Reports on size vary, but I've seen explanations ranging from 3.5 to 7 inches long. The bud/core is the clitoral glans and is equivalent to the head of a penis and is full of funky nerve endings. The entire clitoral structure, which includes the glans, crura, and vestibular bulbs, becomes erect when aroused, just like a penis. Because of its location, where the crura and bulbs surround the upper half of the vagina, internal stimulation through vaginal penetration stimulates the internal parts of the clitoris. Similarly, what is understood to be the G-spot region is hypothesized to be the roots/ends of the clitoris. For more information on the clitoral complex.
What does this mean? Much of vulvar and vaginal pleasure is directly related to the clitoris (poor Freud, this undermines his theory of the "mature" versus "immature" orgasm). It also means that stimulation of the labia can be pleasurable due to the position of the legs. Finally, for people who have suffered genital cutting, there may be the option of exposing more of the clitoral glans from beneath the clitoral hood to regain that kind of pleasure, as well as the possibility of stimulating different parts of the internal clitoris through internal and external play.
Myth #2: Vibrators damage the clitoris.
TRUE: I get this question a LOT. People who use vibrators to stimulate their clitoris every time they masturbate could be experiencing one of two things, but neither of them is a ruptured clitoris.
The first is temporary desensitization. After using the vibrator for a while, the area may feel a little numb or unresponsive, but that's true of any area of the body where you've maintained a deep buzz. That sensation should quickly ease, leaving you available for more clitoral play.
The second concern is that vibrators will ruin your experience because you won't be able to orgasm with your partner. First, you can always bring your favorite toys into the bedroom to incorporate into your shared sexy time (though consent is important, so talk about it if your partner would be surprised).
Second, you're right. If you always get aroused the same way, your body will likely become dependent on that form of stimulation, and you'll have trouble reaching orgasm in other ways, even with a partner. Luckily, the solution can be a lot of fun: diversify your masturbation technique (this goes for people with penises, too!). Try masturbating with your fingers, a shower head, or a different toy than the one you're used to. Take your time and savor the sensations. At first, it may be difficult and even tempting to go back to your trusted method, but the patience is worth it. You can train your body to enjoy pleasure in new ways, which will open the door to more types of orgasms, both solo and with a partner. You can continue using your favorite vibrator, but be sure to combine other forms of stimulation. Want to try a new vibrator? Check out all the options. here .
Consequences : Fear of damaging the clitoris can prevent people from using tools that improve their sex lives, whether solo or with a partner. The horror!
Myth #3: The clitoris has 8,000 nerve endings.
TRUE: Years ago, one of my advisors reminded me of the importance of checking your sources and used the example of people sharing that the clitoris has 8,000 nerve endings. In reality, that figure was based on a study of cows and shared by Thomas Lowry in the book "The Classical Clitoris: Historical Contributions to Scientific Sexuality." This means that we had no data on the nerve endings present in the human clitoris until recently.
Fortunately, in February 2023, Uloko, Isabey and Peters They published their results after studying the clitoral tissue of five trans men (men who were born with a vulva) and found an average of more than 10,000 myelinated axons (covered nerve endings) in the clitoral glans (the tip/head of the clitoris).
What this means : People with clitorises have more nerve endings than we thought! Long live those 10,000 tiny pleasure receptors.
Myth #4: All clitorises love direct stimulation.
TRUE: Although many people with clitorises enjoy direct contact with fingers, tongues, and toys, there's a lot of diversity in what people find pleasurable. Direct contact may be too intense (or less intense) for one person. But another may love having their clitoris pinched between two fingers or being tweaked.
Consequences: You can overstimulate or understimulate your partner or yourself if you don't pay attention to how your clitoris responds to loving attention. An alternative to direct touch might be rubbing the top of your outer labia together to massage the clitoris. Also try flicking and playing with the mons pubis to change the angle of the clitoris, touching it through clothing, breathing on the clitoris instead of licking it, doing Kegel and pelvic floor exercises, and more!
These clitoris myths may have left you speechless, but we hope you can apply what you've learned here in the bedroom.