8 need-to-know facts about the clitoris for maximising your pleasure

We believe body and sex-ed should never stop

How much do you really know about your clitoris? If you haven’t a) found, or b) made very close friends with your pleasure nub by now, you need to cancel your Friday night plans for some solo sex.

Don’t panic if this is you. It’s not unusual for people to hit their early twenties before discovering their magic buzzer. After all, it isn’t something you learn about in school or during your teenage years unless you’re foreplay-savvy, super-skilled or sexually inquisitive. Plus, it’ll be a fun journey finding it – trust us.

So besides finding out where it is and what it can do – both of which we’ll cover – here are loads of facts about the clitoris that will up your orgasm count and make you feel closer to your body.

1. It’s not as easy to find as you think

Sadly for our sex lives, there’s no Google Maps for the body. We can’t drop a pin on our G-spot, or search and find the clitoris with a few easy clicks. We CAN give you our best directions, though. If you’re looking in a mirror, pinpoint where your inner lips meet at the top (open up your outer lips first if necessary) and explore the area directly above. It should feel like a small pea that lies underneath a fleshy hood. If you still can’t find it, don’t worry. Although it’s a lot larger than you think (more on that later), only the tip is exposed – and this could be tiny. Try rubbing the area in circular motions to encourage it to swell.

2. It has more nerve endings than ~everywhere~ else

This sensitivity centre has approximately 8,000 nerve endings, making it the most sexually charged part of the human body. It has double the amount that the penis has, which means it’s a hub of pleasure just waiting to be explored. What’s more, sensations that start in the clitoris can actually engulf your entire pelvic area, affecting around 15,000 other nerve endings.

3. It’s your best chance of having an orgasm

It’s a fact that many women struggle to climax through penetration (around 80%), however almost everyone with a clitoris is capable of having a clitoral orgasm. It is, by far, the most common way to an O thanks to its super-sensitive properties and can be stimulated in many different ways by many different body parts and toys. So if you’re struggling to reach the summit, play with this hot spot until the sweet ache starts to build.

4. Its one and only purpose is to bring you pleasure

Unlike other erotic areas of the body – the nipples, the vagina etc – the clitoris has one sole goal, to provide you with a damn good time. It has zero reproductive functions making it stand out from other parts of the female anatomy stimulated during sex. Some are there to reproduce, some to provide breast milk, and so on, but this nerve-world literally exists to make you feel good.

5. Its waaaaaay bigger than you think

CLITERACY artist Sophia Wallace once said: “It’s not a button, it’s an iceberg.” And my, was she right. Only about a quarter of the clitoris is visible to the naked eye as most of it hides beneath the surface. Despite its cute button nickname, it’s actually made up of the clitoral head, the hood, the clitoral shaft, the urethral sponge, erectile tissue, glands, vestibular bulbs and clitoral legs.

6. It swells when sexually aroused

Like a penis, it increases in size when you’re feeling fruity. If you’re struggling to locate it, send your mind off to a sexual space and arouse yourself. When it’s swollen, it should be easier to feel with your fingers.

7. Its hood can affect your orgasm

From barely-there flaps to full-blown blankets, the shape and size of the clitoral hood can change from body to body. Generally, the bigger the hood, the more pressure is necessary to stimulate the clit. Try pulling back the skin to increase sensitivity, or for the opposite issue (an exposed clit), slide fingers/toys higher on the area to tone down the sensation.

8. Every single one is totally unique… …as is the pleasure it brings. Just like the vagina, no two clits are the same. They vary in shape and size, and can cause very different sensations. Some are super-sensitive and can’t be touched directly, others enjoy a strong, hands-on approach. The best way to find out what works for you? Locate the tip of your very own iceberg and experiment!