Clit Hurting

Clit Hurting
Why Does My Clit Hurt? The clit is made to feel good. But what if it feels bad? Clitoris pain is common, but you don’t have to tolerate it. Explore causes of clit pain and their solutions.
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The clitoris has just one purpose, and that is pleasure. So experiencing frequent clitoral pain (officially called clitorodynia) can be confusing and upsetting. There are many factors that can lead to a sore clit, including irritation from hygiene products, your unique anatomy, and certain medical conditions. If you’re experiencing clit pain, you don’t have to suffer: Figuring out what’s causing it can help you find relief.
The clitoris is more than a bump a couple inches above the vagina—that part is just the head (glans). The rest of the clit is internal, with two “legs” that wrap around each side of the vagina ( 1 ). The penis and the clitoris have a similar number of nerve endings, but in the clit they’re condensed into a much smaller space, making it even more sensitive ( 2 ).
Because there are so many nerve endings bundled together in the external clitoris, some people are hypersensitive to clitoral stimulation: This sensitivity can contribute to discomfort in the clit. In some cases, direct touch to the clitoris can be painful just because it’s so sensitive.
Some people experience changes in the sensitivity of their clit in response to sexual arousal: It may be very sensitive before they get turned on, less sensitive when they’re super aroused, and hypersensitive again after orgasm ( 3 ). If this is the case for you, start out slowly, stroking around the clit and over the clitoral hood, rather than touching it directly.
Many clits need a warm-up period before progressing to firmer pressure. Start with slow, gentle touch, increasing the pressure and speed only if it feels good.
If you’re having sex with a partner, it can be easier to tell them what you like if you’ve already figured it out for yourself. Exploring the kinds of sensations that feel best for your clitoris through self-pleasure can be helpful in reducing discomfort and guiding your partner.
Using lubricant during clitoral stimulation can increase your comfort and help to prevent clit pain. Dryness increases friction, which can be painful for some people, especially those with sensitive clits. You can use your own natural wetness, transferring vaginal fluid from your vagina to your clit with your fingers, a partner’s fingers, or a toy, or a store-bought lube , to reduce friction and promote greater pleasure.
For some people, gentle touch and lubrication may be enough to relieve clit pain. If you’re still experiencing discomfort, though, or even hurting when you’re not having sex or masturbating, there are some other things to look into.
Anatomy can be a factor in clit pain. The clitoral hood (the flap of skin covering the glans) provides a protective layer over the sensitive tissue underneath. If your clitoral hood is smaller or nonexistent, more of the glans may be exposed, leading to discomfort due to friction ( 4 ).
In some people, the glans of the clitoris may be partially or fully stuck to the hood, a phenomenon known as clitoral adhesion or clitoral phimosis. Injury to the area, skin conditions that result in irritation of the vulva , and menopause are all factors that can cause the clit to stick to the hood; it may also happen for no known reason ( 5 ). Clitoral adhesion can cause the buildup of smegma (a whitish substance made up of oils, sweat, dead skin cells, and vaginal fluid), leading to the formation of irritating bumps known as keratin pearls ( 6 ). This problem can be addressed with a visit to your healthcare provider, who may use a simple procedure to free the clitoris and remove uncomfortable bumps. In some cases, minor surgery may be needed to correct the problem ( 5 ).
Tight clothing can rub uncomfortably or put pressure on the clit, which, because it contains so many nerve endings, is easily irritated. If you normally wear tight pants or underwear, try wearing looser clothes and see if that helps.
Laundry detergents can be irritating, so check what you’re using to wash your underwear and consider switching to an unscented variety. Avoid scented soaps or sprays on the vulva and vagina: Many of the products marketed as vulva cleaning products contain ingredients that can be irritating to delicate skin ( 7 ). Your clitoris (and the rest of your vulva) only need warm water and your hand for effective cleaning; particularly if you experience pain in your vulva or clit, it can be helpful to avoid soap on this delicate area ( 8 ).
In some cases, clit pain can be caused by an object under the clitoral hood, most often a hair ( 9 ). If you’re experiencing clit pain, you can gently pull the hood back with your fingers to check for a stuck hair. If it’s short and not wrapped around your clit, you can try removing it with your fingers or tweezers. If it seems stuck, or is wrapped around your clit, a healthcare provider can help you to remove it.
There are some health conditions that can make your clit hurt: Urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause soreness, itching, or a burning sensation on or near the clit. If you’re experiencing clit pain that doesn’t get better with gentle touch, extra lube, or switching up your personal care products, check in with a healthcare provider.
Pain is the body’s way of saying that something is wrong. If you’re experiencing clit pain, listen to your body and change what isn’t working, whether it’s a type of touch, a hygiene product, or a clothing style. If you have sex with a partner, talk with them about what feels good for your body and what doesn’t. If you’re still in pain, seek out a healthcare provider who can help you figure out what’s going on.
The O.school team is here to provide you with the most medically-accurate information around sex, sexual wellness, pleasure, relationships, and dating. Every article we publish is vetted by our medical review board , ensuring that readers are provided with answers you can trust.
2. Shih MD, Cheryl, Christopher J.Cold MD, Claire C.Yang MD . 2013. “Cutaneous Corpuscular Receptors of the Human Glans Clitoris: Descriptive Characteristics and Comparison with the Glans Penis.” The Journal of Sexual Medicine 10, no. 7 (July): 1783-1789. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12191
3. Humphries, Aliisa K ., and Jan Cioe . 2009. “Reconsidering the refractory period: An exploratory study of women's post-orgasmic experiences.” The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality 18, no. 3 : 127-134.
4. Wolffenbuttel, K.P., V.S. Menon, G.M. Grimsby, M.J.ten Kate-Booij, L.A. Baker . 2017. “Clitoral hoodplasty in females with disorders of sex development.” Journal of Pediatric Urology 13, no. 1 (February): 61.e1-61.e5 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpurol.2016.07.004
6. Aerts MD PhD, Leen, Rachel S.Rubin MD, Michael Randazzo, Sue W.Goldstein CCRC, Irwin Goldstein, MD . 2018. “Retrospective Study of the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Clitoral Adhesions: Women's Health Providers Should Routinely Examine the Glans Clitoris.” Sexual Medicine 6, no. 2 (June): 115-122 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esxm.2018.01.003
7. Margesson, Lynn. 2004. “Contact dermatitis of the vulva.” Dermatologic Therapy 17, no. 1 (March): 20-27 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1396-0296.2004.04003.x
8. “What is Vulvodynia?” FAQs. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Reviewed May, 2019. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/vulvodynia
9. Lucco, MD, Kerith, Deanna Murphy, MD, and Nicolette Caccia, MD. 2008. “A Hairy Case: Clitoral Hair Entrapment Resulting in Chronic Vulvovaginal Pain.” Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 21, no. 2 (April): 95. doi:10.1016/j.jpag.2008.01.059

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Suzannah Weiss is a freelance writer focused on gender and sexuality whose work has appeared in The Washington Post, New York Magazine, and more.
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The clitoris is exquisitely sensitive and is the center of most vulva-owners’ pleasure, so it can be frustrating, if not outright devastating, if yours is causing you discomfort. Research on clitoral pain is limited, but it occurs enough that there’s a clinical term for it: clitorodynia .
Clitorodynia can present in many different ways: Some may experience constant pain, while others may only experience pain when the clitoris is touched. Some may have a mild soreness, while others experience a sharp stabbing sensation. The presentations vary because the causes do as well.
If you’re suffering from any of these symptoms, help is available. Read on for info about what can cause clitoral pain and how it can be treated.
“There are actually many causes of clitoral pain, including infections like yeast and herpes, conditions that cause inflammation like lichen sclerosus , vulvar cancer, nerve damage, trauma to the vulva (horseback riding, cycling), changes in hormones, and vulvodynia , a chronic pain condition that can involve the clitoris,” says OB/GYN Lyndsey Harper, founder and CEO of Rosy Wellness . You’ll have to see a professional to figure out what’s causing your pain, but here’s some information about a few of the most common causes:
Hormonal deficits: If your body isn’t producing enough of the hormones estradiol and testosterone, your vulva and clitoris can atrophy — that is, lose tissue–says Erin Hardiman, a physical therapist at t he Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center . “ Poor tissue integrity and health can result in pain and hypersensitivity to touch,” says Hardiman. If your doctor suspects this is the case for you, they can order blood tests to check your hormone levels.
Infection: Tissue irritation from a yeast infection can cause pain and itchiness throughout the vulva, including the clitoris, says Hardiman. A herpes outbreak around the clitoris can similarly sometimes create clitoral pain, says urologist Kelly Casperson . In these cases, the clitoral pain will be treated by treating the infection, usually with medication.
It may take some persistence to find the right diagnosis and treatment, but clitoral pain isn’t ever something you just have to live with.
Pudendal neuralgia: Pudendal neuralgia is a term for pain, burning, or numbness in the pelvis caused by irritation or damage of a nerve. Sometimes, the nerve gets irritated due to tightness and tension in the pelvic floor muscles, says Hardiman. A pelvic floor physical therapist can help diagnose and treat conditions like this.
Dermatological conditions: Certain skin conditions can also create pain if they affect the skin of the clitoris, says Hardiman. One of these conditions is lichens sclerosis, which causes thin, white patches of skin in the genital area. Another is lichens planus, where the immune system attacks skin cells, creating purplish, itchy bumps. A vulvar dermatologist can help diagnose and treat conditions like these.
Trapped or pulled skin: “The clitoris has a foreskin, or a clitoral hood, just like a penis does,” explains Casperson. “And just like the penis’s skin can get stuck or trapped or pulled, the clitoris can get that way, too.” This is most common for those who have low estrogen, like those who have experienced or are about to experience menopause, but could also result from hormonal birth control. “Some birth control pills can just lower your hormones enough that that skin gets a little atrophic, and then it kind of gets stuck on top of your clitoris,” says Casperson.
Keratin pearls: Sometimes, smegma or other discharge gets trapped under the clitoral hood and can get stuck to the clitoris or hood, says Hardiman. These pieces of discharge are called keratin pearls and can be broken up and removed using a probe in a doctor’s office.
Persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD): This is when “the clitoris is wrongly giving signals of stimulation that are very distressing for people because they’re not in a sexual context,” says Casperson. And to make matters worse, it can cause pain as well as arousal. PDAG itself can have multiple causes, from nerve compression to hormonal imbalances, that will be treated in order to calm the sensation.
Nerve compression : If someone is frequently riding a bike, horseback riding, or partaking in other activities that put pressure on the genitals, they can experience pelvic pain due to compression — or squishing — of the nerves, says Casperson. Ceasing these activities and resting the area can help the nerves heal.
Lack of lubrication : If the pain is only during sexual activity, the issue could be as simple as a lack of lubrication. “The clitoris is not a self-lubricating organ,” says Casperson. “Too much friction can cause distress and pain.” Using lube — for clitoral stimulation as well as penetration — may help with the pain in this case.
Sexual trauma: Pain can be a direct result of a physical trauma or, less directly, could be related to emotional trauma, says Erin Pritchard, owner and clinical counselor at Sea Glass Counseling and Consultation . “Our bodies store traumatic memories and experiences in all sorts of places,” she says. “For some people, their body might be holding onto traumatic material within the pelvic area, and that traumatic pain might present itself in the clitoris.” If someone has a history of sexual trauma, they may see a therapist along with a doctor.
Casperson recommends seeing a gynecologist or urologist trained in female sexual health to get to the root of your pain. “You can always start with your primary care doctor, but if you don’t get anywhere, stepping up and finding an expert is the way to go,” she says.
“You should first consult with a gynecologist to rule out/in an infection, a dermatological condition, hormonal insufficiency, and/or other pathology of the vulva,” says Hardiman. If they suspect pudendal neuralgia, they may refer you to a specialist, either a doctor or a pelvic floor physical therapist. “If the suspicion is that the clitoral pain is due to muscular dysfunction, then you should consult with a pelvic floor physical therapist,” says Hardiman.
“A licensed physical therapist that specializes in pelvic health can evaluate if there are contributions from the nerve that leads to the clitoris or the muscles that are adjacent to it,” says pelvic floor physical therapist Heather Jeffcoat. “Physical therapists will work on neural mobility, myofascial restrictions , and associated conditions that may be present with clitorodynia, such as urinary urgency or frequency.”
Before seeing your doctor, it may be helpful to jot down some things you’ve noticed about your pain, says Harper. Some questions she suggests answering for yourself are: “When did the pain begin? Is it intermittent or constant? Was it associated with any known infection or injury? Have you had recent pelvic surgery or pregnancy? Is there associated burning or itching? Is the pain worse when touching the clitoris? Is there anything that makes the pain better?”
“The treatment depends on the cause, so [treatments for clitoral pain] can vary from treating an infection to treating a skin condition, addition of hormones, or a procedure,” says Harper. Infections are usually treated with medication, while hormonal imbalances can be treated with hormonal supplementation, says Hardiman. Nerve issues may require a combination of treatments, including medications, pelvic floor physical therapy, and nerve-directed therapies.
Seeing a psychotherapist may also be helpful if you’re experiencing distress or shame around your pain or think it may be trauma-related, says Pritchard. “Therapy certainly can be helpful for resolving any negative messages that this pain is causing people to believe about themselves.”
It’s a frustrating reality that not all doctors take sexual problems, especially those experienced by people with vulvas, seriously. “Unfortunately, many doctors don’t get the training we need to help women with sexual problems,” says Harper. If your doctor isn’t able to help, she suggests seeking out a specialist in sexual medicine or pelvic pain. You also may be able to get a referral to a competent doctor from a pelvic floor physical therapist, says Hardiman.
Jeffcoat recommends searching pelvicpain.org to find physicians with experience treating pelvic pain. You can also go to the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health website to find providers who will take sexual health seriously, says Casperson.
It may take some persistence to find the right diagnosis and treatment, but clitoral pain isn’t ever something you just have to live with. Find a provider who you trust and can open up to, and work together to figure out what’s causing your pain and identify a treatment you feel comfortable with.
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Clitoris Pain (Clitorodynia) Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
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