Clitoral enlargement methods

Clitoral enlargement methods are forms of body modification that have the potential to increase the size of the clitoris and enhance sexual pleasure. Clitoral enlargement can be accomplished through a variety of means, each potentially having certain side effects and risks.[1][2][3][4]

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.[1][5]

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 that can directly stimulate the clitoris, such as the coital alignment technique, may choose to enlarge the clitoris in hopes it will be easier to stimulate.

Methods

The most common methods of clitoris enlargement are:

  • Use of androgen containing creams on the clitoris
  • Injection of testosterone 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 for temporary effect.

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 and non-binary people using it, cisgender 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, 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), 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 has found that local application of DHT is very effective at stimulating penile growth in microphalli.[6] 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 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.[7]

See also

References
  1. Horejsí J. (1997). "Acquired clitoral enlargement. Diagnosis and treatment". Ann N Y Acad Sci. 816 (1): 369–372. Bibcode:1997NYASA.816..369H. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.1997.tb52163.x. PMID 9238289. S2CID 85705035.
  2. Atilla Şenaylı; Etlik Ankara (December 2011). "Controversies on clitoroplasty". Therapeutic Advances in Urology. 3 (6): 273–277. doi:10.1177/1756287211428165. PMC 3229251. PMID 22164197.
  3. S.V. Perovic; M.L. Djordjevic (December 2003). "Metoidioplasty: a variant of phalloplasty in female transsexuals". BJUI. 92 (9): 981–985. doi:10.1111/j.1464-410X.2003.04524.x. PMID 14632860. S2CID 11836091.
  4. Meyer, Walter J.; Webb, Alice; Stuart, Charles A.; Finkelstein, Jordan W.; Lawrence, Barbara; Walker, Paul A. (April 1986). "Physical and hormonal evaluation of transsexual patients: A longitudinal study". Archives of Sexual Behavior. 15 (2): 121–138. doi:10.1007/BF01542220. PMID 3013122. S2CID 42786642.
  5. Copcu E, Aktas A, Sivrioglu N, Copcu O, Oztan Y (2004). "Idiopathic isolated clitoromegaly: A report of two cases". Reprod Health. 1 (1): 4. doi:10.1186/1742-4755-1-4. PMC 523860. PMID 15461813.
  6. Choi, SK; SW Han; DH Kim; B de Lignieres (Aug 1993). "Transdermal dihydrotestosterone therapy and its effects on patients with microphallus". Journal of Urology. 150 (2 Pt 2): 657–660. doi:10.1016/s0022-5347(17)35576-3. PMID 8326617.
  7. Shannon Larratt (January 22, 2008). "Saline Clitoral Inflation". BME: Tattoo, Piercing and Body Modification News. Archived from the original on 29 November 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2016.
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