What You Never Learned About the Clitoris in Sex Ed

Looking back, it’s no wonder I didn’t have an orgasm until I was 21. Historically, sex education has mainly focused on how we reproduce as human beings and how to avoid becoming a young parent. This may be a big part of why the clitoris has been so overlooked in the classroom.

The clitoris is the only organ in the body with the sole purpose of providing pleasure. That’s it. That’s its only function. So, it’s no surprise that the clitoris hasn’t been covered in sex education classes that are only concerned with the best ways to prevent a pregnancy.

When you’re concentrating teaching a class on the egg and the sperm, the clit doesn’t really enter into it – but should it? The clitoris plays a crucial role in sex and masturbation, so if your high school sex ed classes didn’t leave you any wiser we’ve got six facts ready to kick-start your clitoral education.

1. Eye spy

You may think you’ve seen the clitoris, but the truth is that this pleasure powerhouse is only partially visible to the naked eye.

The average clitoris is about the size of the average non-erect penis (roughly four inches in length) but here’s the catch – 75% of the clitoris is located within the body.

2. Getting on your nerves

The glans contains roughly 8,000 nerve-endings – twice as many as the penis! We weren’t kidding when we said this miraculous organ is built entirely for pleasure.

Like a sexy tree, the clitoris branches out to around 15,000 nerve-endings in your pelvis. This is why an orgasm can feel like it’s engulfing your entire body. Thousands upon thousands of nerve-endings light up every time you hit that sweet spot! This explains why some people describe their clit as being hypersensitive.

3. A recent discovery

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the clitoris in Western civilisation was authored by Italian doctor Matteo Realdo Colombo.

In 1559, the good doctor described the clitoris as a woman’s “seat of pleasure” in an anatomical reference book. However, science didn’t get a conclusive grip on the clit until 2009, when the first full 3D diagram of this magnificent organ was created.

4. You grow, girl

The clitoris is a dynamic erogenous zone – and we mean that literally! The clitoris and the vulva continue to grow and change as you age.

This is mainly sparked by major hormonal changes like the onset of puberty, pregnancy and menopause.

5. Welcome to Oxytocin Central

Oxytocin is a truly amazing hormone. Womb and vagina-having people experience so many fluctuations in their hormone levels because the body is instinctively trying to get them to fall pregnant.

Oxytocin helps to regulate these hormone levels, and experiencing a clitoral orgasm releases a tonne of it.

6. The Clitoral Cycle

You’ve heard of the menstrual cycle, but have you ever heard of the clitoral cycle? Some preliminary investigation has suggested that the volume of the clitoris may change depending on where you are in your cycle.

Although more research is needed, a study found that clitoral size increased by roughly a fifth in the days before, during and after ovulation and decreased in the premenstrual phase. This doesn’t mean you have to refrain from sex during that time of the month though – having sex may even help you fight off the PMS blues.

Shop the Best Clitoral Toys

1. • 

   • [Womanizer Starlet Clitoral Stimulator]/product.cfm?p=39539)

   • Average Review: 9/ 10 9

   • 301 reviews

   • Buy it here

2. • 

   • Happy Rabbit Mini Clitoral Vibrator

   • Average Review: 8/ 10 19

   • 19 reviews

   • Buy it here

3. • 

   • Desire Luxury Clitoral Vibrator

   • Average Review: 8/ 10 206

   • 206 reviews

   • Buy it here

4. • 

   • Lovehoney Ignite Pleasure Balm 30g

   • Average Review: 9/ 10 49

   • 49 reviews

   • Buy it here

The clitoris might not have been covered much during your sex ed classes, but that doesn’t stop you from finding out all about it. Whether you want to learn in order to better understand your own body or someone else’s, it’s never too late to know more about the clitoris.

Audrey Andrews is a student blogger for Lovehoney. In her spare time she loves to do craft, but would not advise knitting your own condoms.