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Piercing of the male genitals are fairly old and are even mentioned in the Kama Sutra. Female genital piercing appears to be a little rarer, but have now become a popular way of enhancing sexual pleasure.
All of the female genital piercing is highly anatomy-dependent. An experienced piercer will be able to ascertain which piercing is appropriate and likely to be successful. The piercer may need to trim the pubic hair; shaving is not necessary. Shaving can be very irritating if the piercee has never shaved or does not shave regularly. Trimming the hair allows the piercer to clean the area thoroughly, mark the piercing between hair follicles, and apply forceps without catching hair. If a woman desires multiple piercing, placement must be decided with reference to the placement of existing piercing. Outer labia piercing can pinch a hood or inner labia piercing. This piercing is rapidly growing in popularity because of the increased sensation it affords it's wearer. The clitoris piercing can be made vertically or horizontally, through the centre of the clitoris at it's base. Positioning is crucial. It takes about six weeks to heal a clitoris piercing. Clitoris piercing is not performed as often as clitoral hood piercing because few women are anatomically suited to the piercing. The clitoris must be large enough to support the jewelry (at least 1/4" wide) and the hood must not constrict the jewelry. If the jewelry is constricted or twists under the hood the piercing will migrate, reject or scar. An exposed clitoris may be pierced horizontally or vertically. If the clitoris is hooded, the vertical piercing is more appropriate to avoid twisting of the jewelry. Jewelry in a horizontal piercing is also likely to twist if the wearer's pubic area is narrow or if she has large outer labia. Rings are appropriate for horizontal piercing only if the clitoris is exposed or very loosely hooded. Some women seeking a clitoral piercing lack sensitivity because the glands of the clitoris is exposed and has become desensitized. A few women have written that they have experienced spontaneous orgasms immediately after piercing; this hyper-sensitivity usually decreases once the piercing heals and the clitoris grows accustomed to the presence of the jewelry. Nerve damage is more likely to result from piercing a clitoris that is too small or from piercing through the shaft of the clitoris and through the dorsal nerve. The fourchette piercing is named for its location. Highly anatomy dependent, this vertical piercing is made through no more than 3/8" of surface tissue, from the bottom wall of the vagina over the perineum. Placing the piercing into the vaginal canal tissue often results in rapid rejection. This piercing is often uncomfortable for women who enjoy vaginal penetration because the piercing is pulled into the vaginal canal. The clitoral hood is the fold of skin covering the clitoris, with it's lower edges joining into the front of the inner labia. The hood can be pierced either vertically or horizontally and either a circular ring or barbell can be worn. Straight barbells can be worn after healing, which is rapid. The horizontal hood piercing is made through the pronounced vertical ridge of hood tissue approximately 3/8" to 1/2" above the edge of the hood. The horizontal piercing does not pass through the hood itself. Some women do not have enough loose tissue to support this piercing. The clitoris and hood tend to retract when standing which may make the horizontal piercing uncomfortable or inappropriate; the position of the piercing and the ring dimensions should be selected accordingly. Placement of the piercing and selection of the ring dimensions should be made so that the bead rests on the tip of the clitoris. The horizontal piercing is most stimulating if the clitoris is exposed. If the clitoris is not exposed, the wearer may not feel the ring unless pressure is applied to the jewelry. Larger beads (7/32" to 1/4") are more stimulating because of the greater weight and surface area. The ring, as it passes through the piercing, can stimulate the shaft of the clitoris when pressure is applied. Larger gauge rings are more stimulating in this manner. Women with a narrow pubic area and/or large outer labia or whose thighs compress the pubic area may find this piercing uncomfortable because the ring will have a tendency to twist. Wearing a thicker gauge will also reduce the risk of migration or tearing caused by twisting of the jewelry. The vertical hood piercing made through the clitoral hood. The hood must be large enough to comfortably accommodate the jewelry. An easy way to check for comfort is with a lubricated cotton swab; if the entire cotton end will fit comfortably under the hood the jewelry will fit comfortably as well. This piercing stimulates the clitoris directly. If the wearer finds direct touch uncomfortable, she will probably find the vertical hood piercing uncomfortable. A vertical hood piercing is often chosen if the wearer enjoys direct contact and desires to increase sensation. The vertical piercing is usually performed using a needle receiving tube inserted between the hood and the clitoris, the piercing made from the outside and into the tube. A few women have reported becoming desensitized to the jewelry over an extended period and that the jewelry is not as stimulating as it was when the piercing was new. In most cases the wearer becomes accustomed to the feeling of the jewelry rather than the clitoris losing sensation. Leaving the piercing empty for a few weeks usually makes the piercing feel like new when the jewelry is reinserted. Changing the jewelry from ring to barbell or vice versa can increase or decrease contact between the jewelry and the clitoris. Some women find barbells more stimulating; the bottom ball rests on the clitoris and the top ball rests over the shaft of the clitoris. Increasing the gauge often increases sensation. A thicker gauge should be considered if the wearer enjoys pressure or friction during sex. A thicker gauge will be more comfortable and less likely to pinch or tear. Inner labia are the hairless, wrinkled, often darkly pigmented lobes of skin which fringe the vagina. They are a popular site for female genital piercing because they are very thin, relatively easy to pierce, and heal more quickly than any other body piercing. The size of the inner labia varies greatly. The labia must be at least 1/8" thick to safely support the jewelry. Piercing should not be made through the thin folds that are sometimes present. If the inner labia protrude from the outer labia, the piercing should be placed so that the rings are not pulled against the edges of the outer labia. Inner labia piercing can be stretched easily. A thicker gauge should be considered if the wearer enjoys pressure or friction during sex. A thicker gauge will be more comfortable and less likely to pinch or tear. Outer labia form the exterior of the vulva. They can be pierced anywhere along their length, although a piercing placed nearer to the back of the outer labia can cause discomfort while sitting. Because outer labia are thicker than inner labia, they may take a lot longer to heal. Outer labia piercing is less likely to migrate or reject if the labia is very pronounced. Outer labia piercing is easily irritated by perspiration, lack of air circulation, and friction against the wearer's clothing, thighs or the opposite labia. Occasionally a ring or protrusion of soft, inflamed tissue will form around the entrances of the piercing. Keep the piercing as dry as possible and wear non-restrictive clothing that allows air circulation. Usually the inflamed tissue recedes as the piercing heals. This piercing is made horizontally through the loose tissue under (not below) the shaft of the clitoris, above the juncture of the inner labia and clitoral hood. The area to be pierced can be felt as a triangular shape behind the shaft when the area is pinched with the fingers. The piercing is stimulating to the wearer when the ring is pulled, flipped up, or when pressure is applied. The Triangle piercing is very anatomy dependent. The clitoris and surrounding tissue must protrude from the pubic bone to allow for a comfortable piercing. The clitoris and hood tend to retract when standing, which may make the piercing uncomfortable or inappropriate; the position of the piercing and the ring dimensions should be selected accordingly. Women with a narrow pubic area and/or large outer labia or whose thighs compress the pubic area may find this piercing uncomfortable because the ring will have a tendency to twist. In this case, a symmetrical teardrop shaped ring is often more appropriate than a round ring. The tapered shape of the ring prevents it from getting caught between the outer labia and painfully twisted and pulled which can cause the piercing to migrate or tear during healing. Most frequently used dimensions are 1/2" wide x 5/8" long. Wearing a thicker gauge will also reduce the risk of migration or tearing caused by twisting of the jewelry. The Christina is a vertical piercing made through the V-shaped juncture of the mons and outer labia. Because of the thickness of the tissue healing time can be lengthy. This piercing is highly anatomy-dependent and should be performed only if a distinct ridge of tissue is available to support the piercing. Often the area flattens or changes shape with leg movements; placement and jewelry selection should be determined accordingly. Because of the friction and movement of the area, this piercing tends to migrate or reject.
All jewelry for the genital region should receive an OK from your piercer. He will be able to best ascertain if a certain type or style of jewelry will be effective for the piercing you want. The specific initial jewelry for female genital piercing is:
The estimated healing times for female genital piercing is:
Although the Clitoris itself can be pierced, it is quite rare to see an actual clitoris piercing because the clitoris must be very well developed to and that only occurs very occasionally. However, if you are considering getting a Clitoris piercing you should get a clitoris hood piercing first. This is because the clitoris hood piercing causes the clitoris to grow in size (sometimes up to three times it's normal size) and this makes piercing the clitoris easier. Many piercers don't like to pierce the clitoris itself because of the danger of hitting the nerve which provides the stimulation in the clitoris and causing permanent loss of sexual function. The clitoris hood piercing is the most common because it is easier to perform, and it also provides a greater degree of sexual stimulation — more so than any other piercing (male or female). The clitoris hood can be pierced either vertically or horizontally. For a number of the piercing, women with a narrow pubic area and/or large outer labia or whose thighs compress the pubic area may find the piercing uncomfortable because the ring will have a tendency to twist. In this case, a symmetrical teardrop shaped ring is often more appropriate than a round ring. The tapered shape of the ring prevents it from getting caught between the outer labia and painfully twisted and pulled which can cause the piercing to migrate or tear during healing. Wearing a thicker gauge than usual will also reduce the risk of migration or tearing caused by twisting of the jewelry. Provided that the piercing is cleaned and looked after properly, the piercing should heal smoothly in the time allotted (see above.) Infections are very rare and the piercing heals very quickly because the amount of skin pierced is very small, and the vagina is protected from infection by a mucous membrane which is slightly acidic; this acidity makes it hard for bacteria to live. You should refrain from sex for at least 2 - 3 days, and you should be very gentle for the first week. If you feel a sharp pain while having sex (during the healing period) you should stop or you could tear the piercing. The piercing will not tear out, but just tear slightly, this can be painful and can lead to infections. Make sure to wear clean cotton underwear for 4 weeks as this allows the wound to breath and minimizes the chance of infection.
Genital Piercing and Pregnancy In the interest of safety for the mother and child, jewelry should be removed in case of a complicated birth. The jewelry could get in the way of emergency procedures should the need arise. Your doctor or midwife may feel uncomfortable working with the jewelry in place. Some piercing are in danger of tearing when the vaginal opening widens. A fourchette piercing will probably not survive the birthing process. Horizontal hood and triangle piercing may stretch uncomfortably and be more likely to tear with the jewelry in place.
The leading cause of infection for any piercing is the improper handling of it or playing around with it. You should only touch your piercing with clean hands, and only when you are cleaning it. The following instructions will help you care for and maintain your piercing.
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