The female sex organ that is formed of spongy tissue and fills with blood during sexual excitement and is very sensitive to the touch. The tip of the clitoris is located between the labia at the top of the vulva. The clitoris extends into the body up to five inches.
The clitoris actually extends deep beneath the surface of the vulva. At the top it connects to the pubic bone, and beneath the glans it splits into a wishbone shape, extending under the sides of the vagina all the way to the anus. The sensitive glans (the part that can be seen under the hood) contains 8,000 nerve endings, more than anywhere else in the human body, male or female. If you touch it in an unaroused state, it is so sensitive that it will feel painful to the owner. To begin to touch her clitoris, always use indirect stimulation, such as stimulating it on the side or the legs of the clitoris on either side of the vaginal opening ¨C unless otherwise instructed, of course!
The clitoris is actually a complex clitoral system, connecting nerves, tissues, muscles and ligaments that react with one another when a woman is aroused. The clitoris, the area underneath the inner lips, the ring around the urethra (where urine leaves the body), and the wall of the perineum, all contain erectile tissue which fill with blood and swell upon arousal, sometimes noticeably, sometimes not.
The clitoris is rich with nerve endings and extremely sensitive.
The Frenulum clitoridis (also known as the Crus glandis clitoridis) is a frenulum that surrounds the clitoris.
Referrence:Clitoris(Chinese Version)
Clitoris From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
The clitoris (pronounced: [klIt@rIs], KLIHT uh rihs listen) is a sexual organ in the body of female mammals, located around and to the interior of the vagina. The visible knob-like portion is located above the opening of the vagina. Its particular function is inducing sexual pleasure and orgasms.
The organ is formed out of corpus cavernosum, which is a rich collection of capillary tissue with a substantial presence of nerve tissue, particularly well-suited for sexual stimulation. Embryologically, the clitoris comes from the same tissue that forms the male penis. Shaped like an inverted "V", the corpus cavernosum splits into two crura, which extend around and to the interior of the labia majora, and then along the inside of the pelvic bone. It is commonly not known that most of the clitoris is hidden, and that external stimulation of the entire clitoris can result in a more profound sexual response.
The visible portion of the clitoris is covered by a 'hood' of tissue (the prepuce) that is homologous to the foreskin in males. The trigger for forming a penis instead of a clitoris is the action of testosterone in utero.
Extensive studies of the clitoris were conducted by noted researchers Masters and Johnson, by Boston based researcher John Garabedian, and by Dr. Matt Jaeger at the University of Kentucky.
In the 1970s, the word "clitoris" was considered offensive in American broadcasting, yet in recent years has moved off the "taboo" list. The first use of "clitoris" on American television is believed to have been by Dr. Rich O'Brien, a Harvard colleague of Garabedian's, on the Dr. Ruth Westheimer show.
Clitoridectomy, the removal of the clitoris, is a practice still carried out today in some societies, mainly in Africa, though it is regarded as barbaric by most of Western Civilization.
See also: Skene's glands
Female-Clitoris Aftercare Information
Primary Suggestions
Anti-bacterial Soap
The optimal way to care for your piercing is to clean it twice daily (If you are physically active, try to schedule your cleanings after you exercise). The easiest and most comfortable way to clean your piercing is either during or immediately following a hot shower. The hot water and steam will help soften your skin and loosen the crust at the base of your jewelry (making it easier to remove). While in the shower, wash your hands thoroughly with anti-bacterial soap¡ªpreferably a medical grade soap such as Provon or Satin. (Beware: anti-bacterial soaps containing fragrances can irritate your piercing or cause allergic reactions.)
Next, gently remove the crust from your jewelry with a disposable, one-use product such as a tissue, cotton-ball, swab, or square. (Do not use a hand towel because bacteria can lie dormant in the cloth.) Then, place some anti-bacterial soap in your hands and rub them together as to create a nice lather. Gently wipe the jewelry and your piercing with the tips of your fingers, being careful not to scratch or irritate the area. Once the jewelry and piercing are lathered with soap, spin the jewelry so that the ball on the jewelry rests on one hole of your piercing; then, spin it so that the ball rests on the opposite hole. This process will help run some soap into the wound, helping to ward off bacteria. After spinning the jewelry back and forth several times, rinse the area and jewelry thoroughly while continuing to spin the jewelry back and forth. (Tip: Do not place your piercing directly into the shower¡¯s streaming water. Instead, try to redirect the water with your hands in order to reduce the intensity of rinsing.) If your starter jewelry is not a captive bead ring or circular barbell, try your best to perform the above process without overworking and irritating the area.
Sea Salt Soaks
After completing the above process, you can perform your sea salt soaks either in or out of the shower. First, fill a fresh disposable cup with approximately 8 ounces of water and add ? teaspoon of sea salt, stirring until it is dissolved. When ready, either place the cup over the piercing--forming a vacuum-type seal--or dip the piercing into the cup. If either of these techniques are not possible, pre-soak a fresh tissue, cotton-ball, swab, or square in the sea salt solution and firmly press it on your piercing. In order to promote effectiveness, the first sea salt soak should last at least 10 minutes. All additional soaks should last at least 5-10 minutes. Following the sea salt soak, pat your piercing and jewelry dry with a fresh disposable paper or cotton product.
Ibuprofen
For those who are extremely sensitive, an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen (Motrin IB, Advil, etc.) can help reduce swelling and pain.
Additional Tips
According to piercing-friendly physician Dr. Janet L. H. Keating with the Duke University Student Health Service, one of the best ways to care for and heal a piercing is to ¡°promote healthy lifestyle habits.¡± Some additional tips for this include:
¡¤ Remember: A piercing is a wound. Consequently, you should expect tenderness, swelling, discoloration, and possibly bruising, bleeding, and itching. Also, a natural part of the process for healing any wound includes the secretion of a white-yellow fluid (containing dead cells and blood plasma). This fluid will dry and form crust on your jewelry. To properly remove this crust, refer to the Primary Suggestions for healing your piercing. ¡¤ Never touch your piercing without first washing your hands with anti-bacterial soap. This is a great way to avoid infections even after your piercing is healed. ¡¤ Do not use petroleum-based ointments (e.g., Neosporin, Bacitracin, etc.), peroxide, alcohol, Betadine, iodine, and Hibaclense!! These substances can hinder and prolong the healing process. ¡¤ Check the accessories (e.g., balls, gem-ends, dice, etc.) on your jewelry for tightness at least once a day. Make sure your hands are first cleaned with anti-bacterial soap!! Checking your accessories is something that you should make habitual throughout the life of your piercing. Remember: tighten all threaded accessories by turning them to the right¡ªrighty, tighty. ¡¤ During the entire healing period, the jewelry should remain in place to act as a drain. If the jewelry is too large to allow adequate drainage, it could be replaced with a smaller size by a piercing professional. Removing your jewelry prematurely can cause an infected hole to close up, trapping an infection and leading to complications requiring a medical professional. If you feel that the normal secretion is turning into a thicker and darker discharge, please do not hesitate to contact your physician for more advanced treatment (e.g., antibiotics). ¡¤ Always wear loose and clean clothing around your new piercing. Tight or unclean clothing can irritate or infect the piercing, possibly causing it to migrate. ¡¤ Do not engage in rough activity that may threaten your piercing. Intense friction and pulling on a fresh piercing is a common way to trigger migration, a process in which the body ¡°pushes¡± the jewelry out of the body. ¡¤ Do not expose your fresh piercing to oral contact or other bodily fluids. Use protective barriers such as condoms, dental dams, and finger cots¡ªeven if you are in a monogamous relationship. ¡¤ Do not expose your piercing to cosmetics such as make-up, hair styling products, lotion, etc. Cosmetics contain many different ingredients and can cause irritation and infection. ¡¤ Eat nutrient-dense meals throughout the day and consider supplementing your diet with Vitamin C (3000 mg in mineral ascorbate form) and Zinc (120 mg for males and 60 mg for females). These supplements are most effective during the first 2-3 weeks of the healing process. If you are very active (e.g., work hard, partake in regular exercise, etc.) extra nutrient-dense meals and an additional multi-vitamin supplement may help keep your immune system working efficiently. ¡¤ Drink plenty of fluids. 8-10 glasses of bottled or purified water is a good way to keep your body hydrated. ¡¤ Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep a night. This is considered the optimal amount of sleep for the body. This will help your body heal as best as possible. If you are living in a high-stress environment, consider resting as much as you can in your down time. ¡¤ Try not to sleep on your new piercing. This cause irritation and prolong the healing process. ¡¤ Replace your bedding with clean sets of sheets, blankets, and pillow-cases as much as possible during the healing period. ¡¤ Do not leave jewelry out of a piercing for too long! If you must remove your jewelry, either put in a retainer or replace it ASAP. For example, a tongue piercing can close-up in a matter of hours. ¡¤ Avoid going into a pool, hot tub, lake, etc. These types of water can be unclean and may induce infection.
Approximate Healing Period
Clitoris: 4-8 weeks
For additional reputable resources, please visit:
The Association of Professional Piercers at www.safepiercing.org Gotham Body Piercing (Formerly the Master Piercers of Gauntlet) at www.gothamworld.com Elayne Angel¡¯s Rings of Desire at www.ringsofdesire.com Editor's Top Jewelry/Supply Picks Damien's Pick Colored Seamless Rings Jason's Pick Colored Circular Barbells with Spikes Drew's Pick The Badass Neo-Tribal Pincher See more body jewelry in our online catalog Body Piercing Aftercare & Healing Guidelines Body piercing Aftercare and healing suggestions can vary slightly from piercer to piercer. Each piercer has their own experiences with certain healing techniques; however, when deciding how to provide you, the piercee, with the highest quality aftercare, healing, and infection information available, Tribalectic decided to use the most medically sound and supported information. Therefore, our suggested aftercare & healing guidelines have been compiled by performing extensive research on the following:
? Standard healing and aftercare medical information ? Suggestions and tips from highly reputable piercing-friendly medics ? Suggestions and tips from top professional piercers ? Piercee healing successes ? Current popular industry suggestions ? Personal experience as a professional piercer ? Observations of infected piercings and their recovery
After compiling our first edition of Tribalectic¡¯s suggested aftercare & healing guidelines, we submitted the information for medical review by piercing-friendly physician Dr. Janet L. H. Keating with Duke University's Student Health Service in Durham, North Carolina. In addition, constant consultation with John Lopez¡ªsenior piercer at Gotham (formerly the Master Piercers of Gauntlet, the most renowned gurus in the game who founded the first piercing establishment in the US)¡ªalso helped fine-tune our suggestions.
Since the world of medicine (both holistic and traditional western) is continually evolving, Tribalectic will be updating our suggested aftercare & healing guidelines in order to provide you with the highest quality information available. We look forward to receiving comments and suggestions from more piercing-friendly medics, professional piercers, and piercees as well as successful and unsuccessful infection treatments.
To get specific information for aftercare & healing, we encourage you to post messages in Tribalectic's Piercing Forum. We also encourage you to check out our Piercing FAQ, our Piercing Myths, and, for those who need additional tips, please read Dr. Janet Keating's article "Caring for Infections".
Tribalectic is a free information society and believes that the following information should be accessible to people pierced and interested in getting pierced. We humbly thank all our contributors for supporting the flow of essential information. Tribalectic does not claim to own or copyright the following suggestions. All healing and aftercare techniques are universal methods of treatment that can be used by everyone. In other words, our suggestions are common knowledge to be shared by all.
And remember, this information is meant to help you heal and care for your healthy and infected piercing(s), however, it is not magic. Each human body is unique and may react differently to specific treatments. Neither Tribalectic nor any of the contributors to the suggested aftercare & healing guidelines are responsible for the healing of your piercing(s) or infections, or the application of this information. Many uncontrollable factors may inhibit the proper healing of your body piercing(s). Consequently, if you feel as though these suggestions are not benefiting the progress of your healing, or you feel that your body piercing(s) are getting infected, please consult your personal doctor.
Lip Aftercare Information Facial/Oral piercings are unique in that they require both body and oral aftercare. The piercing in the mouth should be tended to by using the first set of suggestions labeled ¡®Primary Oral Suggestions¡¯. The piercing on the face should be tended to by using the second set of suggestions labeled ¡®Primary Facial Suggestions¡¯.
Primary Oral Suggestions
Oral Rinse
The optimal way to care for your piercing is to rinse your mouth for 30-60 seconds with a medical-grade oral rinse (such as Tech 2000 or Biotene) after every meal during the initial healing period (3-6 weeks). If a medical grade oral rinse is not available, the next best thing is to dilute 4 ounces of an oral antiseptic with 4 ounces of water. This will de-intensify the antiseptic and prevent it from irritating your piercing. (Note: Do not use plain mouth-wash because it will do nothing for your piercing¡ªonly mask your halitosis.) Be careful not to over-clean your piercing, as this will prevent proper healing. (Signs of over-cleaning include a very white or yellow looking tongue.)
Sea Salt Rinse
In addition to the oral rinse after every meal, sea salt soaks will also help heal your piercing. First, fill a fresh disposable cup with approximately 8 ounces of water and add ? teaspoon of sea salt, stirring until it is dissolved. Then, rinse your mouth for approximately 15 seconds. Sea salt rinses should be performed after smoking or drinking anything other than bottled water. Note: Some piercers and piercees have had much success by substituting sea salt rinses for medical-grade oral rinses.
Ice
Ice and other cold liquids can help reduce swelling. Ice pops, ice cream, and frozen yogurt are also good ways to reduce swelling, but be sure to perform either a sea-salt or oral rinse following your snack (this is not necessary if you just use plain ice). Swelling tends to last 3-5 days.
Ibuprofen
For those who are extremely sensitive, an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen (Motrin IB, Advil, etc.) can help reduce swelling and pain.
Brushing Your Teeth
It is important to brush your teeth three times daily while your piercing is healing. Brushing your teeth will cut down on the amount of bacteria and food particles in your mouth. It is suggested that you purchase a new soft-bristle toothbrush to use during the initial healing period. Also, plaque (a white crusty shell) will begin to build up on your tongue jewelry if you do not gently brush the balls and post. You should brush your jewelry daily if you want to prevent plaque build-up.
Primary Facial Suggestions
Anti-bacterial Soap
The optimal way to care for your piercing is to clean it twice daily (If you are physically active, try to schedule your cleanings after you exercise). The easiest and most comfortable way to clean your piercing is either during or immediately following a hot shower. The hot water and steam will help soften your skin and loosen the crust at the base of your jewelry (making it easier to remove). While in the shower, wash your hands thoroughly with anti-bacterial soap¡ªpreferably a medical grade soap such as Provon or Satin. (Beware: anti-bacterial soaps containing fragrances can irritate your piercing or cause allergic reactions.)
Next, gently remove the crust from your jewelry with a disposable, one-use product such as a tissue, cotton-ball, swab, or square. (Do not use a hand towel because bacteria can lie dormant in the cloth.) Then, place some anti-bacterial soap in your hands and rub them together as to create a nice lather. Gently wipe the jewelry and your piercing with the tips of your fingers, being careful not to scratch or irritate the area. Once the jewelry and piercing are lathered with soap, spin the jewelry so that the ball on the jewelry rests on one hole of your piercing; then, spin it so that the ball rests on the opposite hole. This process will help run some soap into the wound, helping to ward off bacteria. After spinning the jewelry back and forth several times, rinse the area and jewelry thoroughly while continuing to spin the jewelry back and forth. (Tip: Do not place your piercing directly into the shower¡¯s streaming water. Instead, try to redirect the water with your hands in order to reduce the intensity of rinsing.) If your starter jewelry is not a captive bead ring or circular barbell, try your best to perform the above process without overworking and irritating the area.
Sea Salt Soaks
After completing the above process, you can perform your sea salt soaks either in or out of the shower. First, fill a fresh disposable cup with approximately 8 ounces of water and add ? teaspoon of sea salt, stirring until it is dissolved. When ready, either place the cup over the piercing--forming a vacuum-type seal--or dip the piercing into the cup. If either of these techniques are not possible, pre-soak a fresh tissue, cotton-ball, swab, or square in the sea salt solution and firmly press it on your piercing. In order to promote effectiveness, the first sea salt soak should last at least 10 minutes. All additional soaks should last at least 5-10 minutes. Following the sea salt soak, pat your piercing and jewelry dry with a fresh disposable paper or cotton product.
Ibuprofen
For those who are extremely sensitive, an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen (Motrin IB, Advil, etc.) can help reduce swelling and pain.
Additional Tips
According to piercing-friendly physician Dr. Janet L. H. Keating with the Duke University Student Health Service, one of the best ways to care for and heal a piercing is to ¡°promote healthy lifestyle habits.¡± Some additional tips for this include:
¡¤ Remember: A piercing is a wound. Consequently, you should expect tenderness, swelling, discoloration, and possibly bruising, bleeding, and itching. Also, a natural part of the process for healing any wound includes the secretion of a white-yellow fluid (containing dead cells and blood plasma). This fluid will dry and form crust on your jewelry. To properly remove this crust, refer to the Primary Suggestions for healing your piercing. ¡¤ Never touch your piercing without first washing your hands with anti-bacterial soap. This is a great way to avoid infections even after your piercing is healed. ¡¤ Try to eat very slowly. Only place small portions of food in your mouth at one time. At first, eating may seem awkward, but this is mainly due to swelling. ¡¤ Try to refrain from using tobacco products, chewing gum, biting your nails, or giving in to any other oral fixation you may have. Any of these activities can increase the chances for infection and may prolong the healing process. ¡¤ Try to refrain from playing with your jewelry during the initial healing period. This can irritate the piercing and prolong the healing process. Even after your piercing is healed, be weary of excessively causing friction between your jewelry and gums or teeth. ¡¤ Following the initial healing period, changing your post to a shorter length will make the jewelry more comfortable in your mouth adn keep it from sticking out from your face. The reason the initial post must be so long is to compensate for the swelling of your tongue. ¡¤ Do not use petroleum-based ointments (e.g., Neosporin, Bacitracin, etc.), peroxide, alcohol, Betadine, iodine, and Hibaclense!! These substances can hinder and prolong the healing process. ¡¤ Check the accessories (e.g., balls, gem-ends, dice, etc.) on your jewelry for tightness at least once a day. Make sure your hands are first cleaned with anti-bacterial soap!! Checking your accessories is something that you should make habitual throughout the life of your piercing. Remember: tighten all threaded accessories by turning them to the right¡ªrighty, tighty. ¡¤ During the entire healing period, the jewelry should remain in place to act as a drain. If the jewelry is too large to allow adequate drainage, it could be replaced with a smaller size by a piercing professional. Removing your jewelry prematurely can cause an infected hole to close up, trapping an infection and leading to complications requiring a medical professional. If you feel that the normal secretion is turning into a thicker and darker discharge, please do not hesitate to contact your physician for more advanced treatment (e.g., antibiotics). ¡¤ Do not engage in rough activity that may threaten your piercing. Intense friction and pulling on a fresh piercing is a common way to trigger migration, a process in which the body ¡°pushes¡± the jewelry out of the body. ¡¤ Do not expose your fresh piercing to oral contact or other bodily fluids. Use protective barriers such as condoms, dental dams, and finger cots¡ªeven if you are in a monogamous relationship. Remember: during the healing process you have an open wound in your mouth¡ªso treat it as such! ¡¤ Do not expose your piercing to cosmetics such as make-up, hair styling products, lotion, etc. Cosmetics contain many different ingredients and can cause irritation and infection. ¡¤ Eat nutrient-dense meals throughout the day and consider supplementing your diet with Vitamin C (3000 mg in mineral ascorbate form) and Zinc (120 mg for males and 60 mg for females). These supplements are most effective during the first 2-3 weeks of the healing process. If you are very active (e.g., work hard, partake in regular exercise, etc.) extra nutrient-dense meals and an additional multi-vitamin supplement may help keep your immune system working efficiently. ¡¤ Drink plenty of fluids. 8-10 glasses of bottled or purified water is a good way to keep your body hydrated. ¡¤ Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep a night. This is considered the optimal amount of sleep for the body. This will help your body heal as best as possible. If you are living in a high-stress environment, consider resting as much as you can in your down time. ¡¤ Try not to sleep on your new piercing. This causes irritation and may prolong the healing process. Also, try to prop your head above your heart when sleeping. This is a common way to prevent excessive swelling. ¡¤ Replace your bedding with clean sets of sheets, blankets, and pillow-cases as much as possible during the healing period. ¡¤ Do not leave jewelry out of a piercing for too long! If you must remove your jewelry, either put in a retainer or replace it ASAP. For example, a tongue piercing can close-up in a matter of hours. ¡¤ Avoid going into a pool, hot tub, lake, etc. These types of water can be unclean and may induce infection.
Approximate Healing Period
Lip: 6-8 weeks
For additional reputable resources, please visit:
The Association of Professional Piercers at www.safepiercing.org Gotham Body Piercing (Formerly the Master Piercers of Gauntlet) at www.gothamworld.com Elayne Angel¡¯s Rings of Desire at www.ringsofdesire.com Editor's Top Jewelry/Supply Picks Damien's Pick Colored Seamless Rings Jason's Pick Colored Circular Barbells with Spikes Drew's Pick The Badass Neo-Tribal Pincher See more body jewelry in our online catalog Body Piercing Aftercare & Healing Guidelines Body piercing Aftercare and healing suggestions can vary slightly from piercer to piercer. Each piercer has their own experiences with certain healing techniques; however, when deciding how to provide you, the piercee, with the highest quality aftercare, healing, and infection information available, Tribalectic decided to use the most medically sound and supported information. Therefore, our suggested aftercare & healing guidelines have been compiled by performing extensive research on the following:
? Standard healing and aftercare medical information ? Suggestions and tips from highly reputable piercing-friendly medics ? Suggestions and tips from top professional piercers ? Piercee healing successes ? Current popular industry suggestions ? Personal experience as a professional piercer ? Observations of infected piercings and their recovery
After compiling our first edition of Tribalectic¡¯s suggested aftercare & healing guidelines, we submitted the information for medical review by piercing-friendly physician Dr. Janet L. H. Keating with Duke University's Student Health Service in Durham, North Carolina. In addition, constant consultation with John Lopez¡ªsenior piercer at Gotham (formerly the Master Piercers of Gauntlet, the most renowned gurus in the game who founded the first piercing establishment in the US)¡ªalso helped fine-tune our suggestions.
Since the world of medicine (both holistic and traditional western) is continually evolving, Tribalectic will be updating our suggested aftercare & healing guidelines in order to provide you with the highest quality information available. We look forward to receiving comments and suggestions from more piercing-friendly medics, professional piercers, and piercees as well as successful and unsuccessful infection treatments.
To get specific information for aftercare & healing, we encourage you to post messages in Tribalectic's Piercing Forum. We also encourage you to check out our Piercing FAQ, our Piercing Myths, and, for those who need additional tips, please read Dr. Janet Keating's article "Caring for Infections".
Tribalectic is a free information society and believes that the following information should be accessible to people pierced and interested in getting pierced. We humbly thank all our contributors for supporting the flow of essential information. Tribalectic does not claim to own or copyright the following suggestions. All healing and aftercare techniques are universal methods of treatment that can be used by everyone. In other words, our suggestions are common knowledge to be shared by all.
And remember, this information is meant to help you heal and care for your healthy and infected piercing(s), however, it is not magic. Each human body is unique and may react differently to specific treatments. Neither Tribalectic nor any of the contributors to the suggested aftercare & healing guidelines are responsible for the healing of your piercing(s) or infections, or the application of this information. Many uncontrollable factors may inhibit the proper healing of your body piercing(s). Consequently, if you feel as though these suggestions are not benefiting the progress of your healing, or you feel that your body piercing(s) are getting infected, please consult your personal doctor.