Clitoral enlargement methods are forms of
body modification
Body modification (or body alteration) is the deliberate altering of the human anatomy or human physical appearance. In its broadest definition it includes skin tattooing, socially acceptable decoration (''e.g.'', common earring, ear piercing in ...
that have the potential to increase the size of the
clitoris
In amniotes, the clitoris ( or ; : clitorises or clitorides) is a female sex organ. In humans, it is the vulva's most erogenous zone, erogenous area and generally the primary anatomical source of female Human sexuality, sexual pleasure. Th ...
and enhance sexual pleasure. Clitoral enlargement can be accomplished through a variety of means, each potentially having certain side effects and risks.
The congenital or acquired medical condition known as
clitoromegaly or macroclitoris contrasts intentional enlargement of the clitoris, though any abnormal enlargement of the clitoris is sometimes referred to as ''clitoromegaly.''
Purpose
There are multiple reasons someone might want to enlarge their clitoris. For some, it is a personal aesthetic choice. People who believe that the size of their clitoris prevents adequate stimulation from
sexual acts
Human sexual activity, human sexual practice or human sexual behaviour is the manner in which humans experience and express their sexuality. People engage in a variety of sexual acts, ranging from activities done alone (e.g., masturbation) t ...
that can directly stimulate the clitoris, such as the
coital alignment technique
The coital alignment technique List of sex positions, sex position is used primarily as a variant of the missionary position and is designed to maximize clitoral stimulation during sexual intercourse. This is achieved by combining the "Missionary ...
, may choose to enlarge the clitoris in the hope it will be easier to stimulate.
Methods
The most common methods of clitoris enlargement are:
* Use of
androgen
An androgen (from Greek ''andr-'', the stem of the word meaning ) is any natural or synthetic steroid hormone that regulates the development and maintenance of male characteristics in vertebrates by binding to androgen receptors. This includes ...
containing creams on the clitoris
* Injection of
testosterone
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone and androgen in Male, males. In humans, testosterone plays a key role in the development of Male reproductive system, male reproductive tissues such as testicles and prostate, as well as promoting se ...
for an extended time, as seen in transgender men and nonbinary people.
Female bodybuilders who utilize testosterone may also experience clitoral growth.
* Use of a
clitoral pump, like the
penis pump, may be used prior to or during
masturbation
Masturbation is a form of autoeroticism in which a person Sexual stimulation, sexually stimulates their own Sex organ, genitals for sexual arousal or other sexual pleasure, usually to the point of orgasm. Stimulation may involve the use of han ...
or other
sexual activity
Human sexual activity, human sexual practice or human sexual behaviour is the manner in which humans experience and express their sexuality. People engage in a variety of sexual acts, ranging from activities done alone (e.g., masturbation) t ...
for temporary effect.
* Fat grafting/fat transfer is an option provided by many western cosmetic clinics.
* Dermal fillers, is another option for those seeking to enlarge their clitoris.
There is disagreement on the best approach; many claim size increases from pumping while others say testosterone is the only way to obtain significant results. Both methods involve some risk. If pumping is done incorrectly, it can cause damage to the erectile tissue and blood vessels. The use of any steroid such as testosterone incurs risk as these compounds can have systemic effects.
While the systemic effects of testosterone are both expected and desired in both
trans men
A trans man or transgender man is a man who was assigned female at birth. Trans men have a male gender identity, and many trans men undergo Gender transition, medical and social transition to alter their appearance in a way that aligns with th ...
and non-binary people using it,
cisgender
The word ''cisgender'' (often shortened to ''cis''; sometimes ''cissexual'') describes a person whose gender identity corresponds to their sex assigned at birth, i.e., someone who is not ''transgender''. The prefix '' cis-'' is Latin and ...
women generally do not want the other masculinizing effects of systemic testosterone. Applying cream or gel containing testosterone directly to the clitoris, rather than injecting it (the usual route of administration for
transgender hormone therapy
Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), also called hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or transgender hormone therapy, is a form of hormone therapy in which sex hormones and other hormonal medications are administered to transgender or gender n ...
), lessens systemic absorption, and may be sufficient for those looking only to have a larger clitoris and avoid other unwanted
virilizing effects. Anecdotal evidence suggests that DHT (
dihydrotestosterone
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT, 5α-dihydrotestosterone, 5α-DHT, androstanolone or stanolone) is an endogenous androgen sex steroid and hormone primarily involved in the growth and repair of the prostate and the penis, as well as the production o ...
), a very potent androgen, can effectively be used for this purpose with minimal side effects. No scientific studies have confirmed this effect in female anatomy, but research targeting the treatment of
micropenis
A micropenis or microphallus is an unusually small Human penis, penis. A common criterion is a dorsal (measured on top) Human penis size, penile length of at least 2.5 standard deviations smaller than the mean human penis size for age. A micr ...
has found that local application of DHT is very effective at stimulating penile growth in microphalli. Due to the biological similarity between penile and clitoral tissue, significant growth of the clitoris is likely. Unlike testosterone, DHT cannot be converted into the estrogen
estradiol
Estradiol (E2), also called oestrogen, oestradiol, is an estrogen steroid hormone and the major female sex hormone. It is involved in the regulation of female reproductive cycles such as estrous and menstrual cycles. Estradiol is responsible ...
and is thus ideal for generating purely androgenic effects. However, DHT is not available in some countries, including the United States.
Clitoral pumping is another applied method of clitoris enlargement. Evidence proving its effectiveness is still lacking but it continues to be a popular activity. The potential dangers of vacuum pumping are well known to those familiar with penis pumping. If the applied vacuum pressure is too great it can cause bursting of blood vessels, bruising, blistering, damage to erectile tissue, and other types of trauma. Safe pressures are generally considered to be less than 5 in-Hg of vacuum or 0.17 atm (16 kPa).
A less common approach to clitoral enlargement is
saline injection.
See also
*
Elongated labia
*
Labia stretching
*
Penis enlargement
*
Gender-affirming surgery (female-to-male)
Masculinizing gender-affirming surgery for transgender men and transmasculine Non-binary gender, non-binary people includes a variety of surgical procedures that alter anatomical traits to provide physical traits more comfortable to the trans man' ...
often uses clitoral tissue to construct a new penis
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Clitoris Enlargement
Female genital modification
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