Sexual health: Is your clitoris hypersensitive?

Did you know that the clitoris has about 8,000 nerve endings? It is the woman's most sensitive erogenous zone. While stimulating the clitoris can be a great source of excitement and pleasure, it can also sometimes cause you pain.

The clitoris is the pleasure center of the vulva (the external parts of the female genitalia). It is located right under the point where the inner labia meet and form a little hood. Its only purpose is to make you feel good—literally! But sometimes, unfortunately, it can fail you at that.

What is clitorodynia?

Clitorodynia is the technical term for pain in the clitoris. Such pain can be caused by psychological or physical trauma such as an assault, an accident or an infection that has not yet healed. But it's not always easy to pinpoint the exact cause of clitoral pain. The International Society for Sexual Medicine adds:

Not much is known about clitoral pain. It might be associated with provoked vestibulodynia (pain at the vestibule or entrance of the vagina), lichen sclerosis (a skin condition), or multiple sclerosis (a disease of the central nervous system).

To temporarily relieve these pains, it is recommended to take painkillers, use cooling or heating pads or do perineal rehabilitation. If the discomfort persists, you are strongly advised to seek medical advice.

Read more:

⋙ A simple guide to locating your clitoris

⋙ Sexual health: Does the size of the vagina matter during intercourse?

⋙ Sexual health: Can you catch an STI from a public toilet?

Permanent genital arousal syndrome

Simply put, Permanent Genital Excitation Syndrome is similar to a continuous erection. You may not know it, but the clitoris, like the penis, can become erect with excitement. With this constant blood flow, the swelling becomes long-lasting and therefore very painful.

Unfortunately, there is no miracle cure for this syndrome, only ways to make the symptoms more bearable. Cases of this condition are, however, rare.

All in all, the most important thing to remember is that as soon as a strange and uncomfortable sensation occurs in your panties, don't wait, go see a gynaecologist. Treating the problem as soon as possible will save you a lot of trouble.