Female Genital Piercings

The concept behind female genital piercings (as with those for men) is to enhance. The common placements as described below do not prevent sexual activities; they are meant to stimulate and arouse. These enhancements are also placed to call attention to the ornamented areas and foster beauty, appreciation, and enjoyment.

Unfortunately for us, our culture does not support genital pride. As a result, many of my female clients do not even know what the particulars of their private parts are called. Many women come to see me for genital piercings requesting “a clit piercing.” When they are shown a photograph of where that is located they shout, “Oh, No! Not there!” Sometimes they mean inner or outer labia, other times they desire a clitoral hood piercing.

Contrary to what most of the uninitiated would think, genital piercing is not particularly painful (at least if I do it for you). The physical reality is brief and relatively or virtually painless. Many piercees often favorably compare genital placements to the ear lobe piercing. The notable exception would be the serious and very rare clitoris piercing (rather than hood piercing).

This is about pleasure, stimulation, and celebrating the body. Though, naturally, during healing piercees must engage in safer sex and avoid sharing bodily fluids. Even if you are in a monogamous relationship, latex barriers must be used, including for oral contact, during the entire initial healing. See the Aftercare Guidelines for Body Piercings for complete information.

There is no requirement for abstinence during healing, but you must be hygienic, and ease up or stop (for the time being), if you experience discomfort or pain. In fact, the initial hypersensitivity that often accompanies a fresh piercing can make for interesting and even enlightening experiences.

The following piercings are pictured and discussed below:
Vertical Clitoral Hood Piercing (VCH)
Horizontal Clitoral Hood Piercing (HCH)
Triangle Piercing
Inner Labia
Outer Labia
Fourchette
Clitoris
Princess Diana                                                                                                                                                                        

Genital piercing is special because there is potential to directly affect your sexual pleasure. A poorly placed piercing can result in either a missed opportunity for enhancement, or a negative experience and a loss of sensation, either temporary or permanent. Unfortunately, many piercers have NO specific training in genital piercings whatsoever! As a piercer who is renowned as an expert on the subject, I have bad news: a large percentage of genital piercings I see are improperly placed, and I get email daily from women who have received botched piercings. Because of variations in genital anatomy and personal preferences for sexual stimulation, each piercee must be evaluated (and even counseled) on an individual basis before deciding on a genital piercing. Page through my blog to read about one bad genital piercing after another. It will scare you--and it should, so you will educate yourself to make sure you get a safe, successful piercing.

As far as the experience of the piercing is concerned, it should be virtually instantaneous. It is much easier to endure such a brief pain than one that continues for an extended period of time. The short-lived sensation that feels like a “pinch” can turn into “stabbed by an ice pick” at the hands of a less accomplished piercer, so choose wisely! The sensation of getting pierced should begin to fade as soon as your jewelry is in place. For a few minutes afterward you might experience burning, stinging, or warmth—and a sense of accomplishment, of course. In the end you may perceive nothing more serious than discomfort. Some women are more sensitive than others and I've had feedback from one woman who had been pierced by someone else that she found this information misleading. Note that I'm explaining what the procedures are like WHEN I DO THEM. I cannot vouch for what you may experience when you get pierced by another piercer. If you'd like to watch me doing these piercings (and witness the reactions of the piercees) you can see video here.

My studio, Rings of Desire in New Orleans closed following Hurricane Katrina, but I still travel around the US doing guest piercing in other studios. To be notified when I plan new travels, please sign up for my email newsletter in the box in the top right corner of the page.

For a  free internet consultation message me through the contact page for my email address   if you would like to determine which piercings you are anatomically well suited to wear. IMPORTANT: follow the instructions are at the bottom of this page. For extra help with the q-tip test for the VCH piercing, visit this page (which has video and detailed information).

The "q-tip test" shows that this woman is a perfect candidate for a VCH piercing. Note how thin the tissue is--you can see through it.
Depth is what's important, so you can de-fluff the swab if necessary.
View video and see more details here

The VCH is by far the most popular female genital piercing I do, for several reasons. As the name implies, the piercing is placed vertically, and women’s genitals are built in this same up-and-down direction. This means the jewelry situates comfortably between the legs and is not subject to much stress or irritation.

Further, most women are built with a fold of hood tissue in which the jewelry can be placed for a safe, comfortable, and stimulating piercing. The piercing goes through only a thin bit of tissue above the clitoris (NOT through it) but the jewelry itself touches the clitoris. This means that when there is any activity in the area, the clitoris will receive more direct stimulation. Most women like this a lot. In fact, I distributed a research study for the University of South Alabama regarding VCH piercings and female sexual satisfaction! The data (published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology) has shown that this piercing DOES result in increases in sexual DESIRE!

This is a very quick healing piercing. I have had many women swear it heals in a week or even less. But to be on the safe side, you should care for it according to the instructions for four (4) weeks minimum.

A VCH is a piercing that feels very different with alternate styles of jewelry. It can be started with a bar (usually a a curved bar) or a ring style. Once healing is complete, you may want to experiment with different lengths of bars and sizes of balls, or various sizes and shapes of rings. The J-Curve style (pictured left) may increase stimulation, especially if you have a very recessed clitoris. The stimulation is different dependent on the style and size of jewelry. Personal preferences vary, as with all matters of sexual expression . As much experience as I have, I cannot tell if you will prefer the short-bar-with-the-small-bead-under-your-hood fit, or the long-bar-that-hangs-down fit, or the big-ball-against-your-clit fit, etc. The good news is that the research is fun!

If you have a prominent hood, or petite outer labia, leaving your hood region exposed, a bar will be best for starting jewelry to minimize irritation. If your hood is rather tucked in, and/or your outer labia are full, then either a ring or bar is fine jewelry for initial jewelry.

The procedure (when I do it for you ) is extremely brief. This is not a serious piercing, except possibly for the mental component. Physically I pierce a membrane of tissue--much thinner than an ear lobe. Many women comment that their ears hurt more. It does sting or pinch for a split second, and may momentarily startle you. By then it is over. Most women leave commenting that either they don’t feel it at all or that it feels good already! Whatever the initial sensation, it passes very rapidly and the aftermath is amazingly comfortable.

Forceps are not well suited to this placement. I use a device called an NRT (needle receiving tube) which is warmed between mygloved hands, and placed gently but securely under the hood. The tissue is so thin I can see through to where the tube is underneath. I pierce swiftly and smoothly through the dot that marks the placement, into the tube.

I have performed VCH piercings on many women who have no other body piercings. Whether for the seasoned piercee or the neophyte, it is an easy spot. I describe it as a maximum return on a minimal investment. For the pleasure you derive from it, the momentary pinch is a small price to pay.

I pierce many professional women, housewives, mothers, and even grandmothers. This is not an endeavor reserved only for "alternative" type individuals. It is suited to any woman (anatomically built for it) who desires to explore additional avenues of sensual and erotic sensation. I have had many women travel in from out of state and even out of the country to get this particular piercing. Because if it is worth doing, it is worth doing right!

Incorrectly placed "surface" VCH (usually due to using forceps or freehand technique, instead of a Needle Receiving Tube "NRT").

Jewelry just goes through the surface of the hood tissue, and does not touch the clitoris,
so this will not be stimulating.

It also pierces more tissue than a VCH piercing.

Correctly placed VCH piercing at the natural apex of the hood.This allows for maximum stimulation because as much of the jewelry is in contact with as much of the clitoris as possible.

Only a trained and highly skilled piercer will get this placed properly!

Horizontal Hood Piercing with Captive Ring              Ornamental Hood Piercing with Open Circular Barbell          Same Piercee with Jewelry Tucked

Whether or function or aesthetics, if the base of your hood is not relatively exposed (as in the image above on the left) the open circular barbell is safer and more comfortable for healing--as it is for the triangle piercing discussed below.

A triangle is a horizontal piercing behind the clitoris, at the base of the hood tissue where it forms from the body. You must be able to pinch behind your hood and raise your clitoral shaft (the cordlike nerve bundle) away from your body for a triangle to be possible. Optimal anatomy is symmetrical with a protruding hood. If your anatomy in that area is very narrow or small, or if you have a valley shape, then you are not a candidate for this piercing. Most women are not anatomically suited to the triangle piercing.

A triangle and an HCH both pierce through the same type—and even a similar amount—of hood tissue. However, for most women the triangle is the far more pleasurable of the two.

The triangle is a horizontal piercing underneath (not through!) the shaft of the clitoris, at the base of the hood tissue. The stimulation from this piercing comes from added sen-sation behind your clitoris. This is quite unlike the other genital piercings, which only contact the clitoris from the front. It is a fantastic spot to wear body jewelry if you're anatomically suited for the piercing.

After much experience, I have concluded that a circular barbell, usually in 12 gauge, is the best starting style of jewelry for this placement. The gap between the circular barbell balls must be wide enough to accommodate your hood so the jewelry tucks down flat, to cradle your inner labia. The surrounding lips hold the jewelry securely in place. The portion of the ring that passes through your tissue fits comfortably in the limited space between your legs without twisting like circular ring-style jewelry, nor shifting like bar-style jewelry. After healing, a captive ring, bead ring, curved bar or other jewelry can be worn. Some women enjoy stretching to larger gauges later, as they like the way heavier or thicker jewelry looks and feels.

Many women ask whether a VCH or a Triangle is better. They are totally different. A VCH is more stimulating from the front of the clitoris, and the Triangle is more stimulating from the back of the clitoris. Lots of women end up with both!

A Triangle is a very advanced piercing and you should scrutinize the qualifications of anyone you consider to do the piercing on you. I didn't conceive of it myself, but I did perform the one on the woman (Lou Duff, formerly of Gauntlet, San Francisco) who did invent it. To my knowledge, I have more experience at doing triangles than any other piercer. It is definitely worth waiting and/or making a trip to get this one done right.

This is the most commonly misplaced (and often horribly botched) piercing I've ever seen. Most of the "triangle" piercings I see from elsewhere are not located in the proper spot. Commonly they are too low, and you end up with two separate piercings of the upper inner labia--and nothing right beneath your nerve bundle where the jewelry should go. Other times they pierce the clitoral nerve bundle, which is extremely painful, and could result in damage.

I have had more than one client confide in me that she had never (ever) had an orgasm in her entire twenty-some years, until after I performed her triangle piercing! Her partner and activities were the same as pre-piercing clearly indicating that her triangle piercing really had an impact! I feel that pretty well validates my life’s work.

Once again please note, not all women are anatomically suited for all piercings, and many women are not suited to a triangle. So an expert must be consulted to determine what will work best for your particular build.

BME Review of a Triangle I Performed

BME Review of Another Triangle I Performed

Blog post on this site about a botched Triangle I did not perform (with photo)

This is very similar to the tissue pierced in the VCH; it is fine and very quick to heal. I generally begin with rings in 14 gauge. Some women are not built large enough in this region to pierce, though this is relatively rare. Inner labia are often pierced in pairs or multiples, though a single ring on either side is certainly an option.

Inner labia piercings may bleed, as the tissue is fairly vascular. Pads or panty liners are advisable at first, as is wearing underwear when the piercing is new.

One’s own bodily fluids are apt to get on this type of piercing, but this is not harmful. Urine may sting at first, and during the initial days of healing you may wish to drink lots of water. This will minimize the acidity of your urine and reduced stinging when you urinate. Also to diminish discomfort, pour a clean cup of warm or cool (as you prefer) water over the area to rinse the urine away from you as you go.

Few women report experiencing pleasurable sensations from inner labia piercings, so normally they are worn for their visual appeal. If jewelry is placed quite high on the lip, there is some chance it may contact and stimulate your clitoris. For piercings your male partner might feel during intercourse, they can be situated midway across your vaginal opening.

Once healed, you may enjoy the sensation of tugging on healed inner labia piercings or wearing
weights, bells, or charms; however, these activities usually result in stretching because the tissue is so thin.

These are sturdy piercings that take a little longer to heal. They can be placed anywhere along the pinchable rim of the outer lips. They are often done in pairs or multiples. Most women will find piercings in this region primarily visually pleasing; you are not apt to feel a great deal of erotic stimulation as would be expected from a hood piercing.

I usually use 14 or 12 gauge for initial jewelry, but if the tissue is well ample 10 gauge is possible by request. You can use captive rings, bead rings, or circular barbells. It may be possible to use a curved bar as an alternative jewelry style.

These piercings can be situated nearly anywhere along the pliable rim of the outer lips. They pass through denser tissue and take longer to heal than hood and inner labia piercings. If placed next to the clitoris, they might provide clitoral stimulation from the sides. Some wear them higher up on the lips, to make them more visible, or lower, adjacent to their vaginal opening, where a male partner might feel them during intercourse.

Personally, I feel this is a placement where more is merrier. Initially I had two--one on each side, and enjoyed them a bit. Now that I have eight of them, I like them a whole lot more! They are very strong, serviceable piercings, and on occasion I've been known to use them to hold up my stockings.

This is the vertical perineum piercing at the back edge of the vagina that is analogous to the male Guiche. Many women do not possess a pinchable flap or fold of tissue at the back edge of the vagina, where this piercing is placed. If you don’t have much skin there, you aren't built for a fourchette. However, if you are anatomically suited to it, a fourchette is a wonderful, enjoyable spot for wearing jewelry.

I usually begin with a curved barbell in 12 or 10 gauge. The tissue is very fine, and you don’t want jewelry that is too thin and can cut you. It is also very stretchy, and can easily be enlarged to accommodate thicker jewelry after healing.

I will take credit for pioneering the fourchette, as I got the first three of them, on three different occasions. Oh, the rigors of research! We were trying to figure out the best spot. It turned out to be best on a woman who has some tissue there, which I unfortunately do not. Well it sure was fun trying; and the women who are built for the fourchette give rave reviews.

Since you basically sit on this piercing, you must be careful not to seat yourself on unclean surfaces during healing, unless you are wearing underwear or clothing. Maintain excellent hygiene due to the proximity of the piercing to the anus: shower regularly, and be careful when wiping after visiting the toilet.

 
Princess Dianas (Called "Dukes" on FTM Anatomy): Healing time 4-8 weeks

The information on this page is just a brief overview! There is SO MUCH more to know. It is all in my book, The Piercing Bible--The Definitive Guide to Safe Body Piercing. I live in the Yucatan in Mexico--though I travel and pierce all over the US regularly! If you need a referral for a female genital piercing, I highly suggest an "internet consultation" first, to be certain you are anatomically suited to the piercing(s) you desire. Click here for information on getting an anatomy consultation For a triangle, clitoris, and/or HCH piercing: I need  a close-up photo of the area relaxed, with your knees spread wide (Fig. 1) (click on the images to see them larger)  Fig. 1 For the triangle and/or HCH: I also need a photo of each side individually with the outer labia adjacent to your hood spread out, so I can check the sides for vascularity (visible veins)  Fig. 2 For a triangle: I also need to see a photo of you doing the "pinch test," by pinching at the base of the hood to lift up the tissue from behind the nerve bundle of your clitoris (Fig. 3). Locate the cord-like bundle and get your fingertips behind it. You should be able to lift it up away from your body--at least a little bit. Unfortunately, without personally palpating/pulling on the area, I might not be able to tell for sure. But I could likely tell if you absolutely aren't built for it at all.   For the HCH, I need to see you pinching up the hood tissue away from the body, without grasping the nerve bundle See  the next image for a tip on the pinch-test for the triangle piercing. Fig. 3 TIP: This is pointing to the area where you should pinch: at the natural fold where the base of the hood forms from your body, at about the level of the top of your hood opening--where it forms a peak or "inverted V". In the photo, if the cord-like nerve bundle is not visibly propped up in front of your fingers, I need you to tell me that you are able to identify it and can feel that your fingers are behind it. Fig. 4 For a VCH: I need a clear, close-up photo of your hood, with you doing the q-tip test (Fig. 5). You simply lift the hood tissue away from your body and slide the swab underneath as far as it will go. You can lubricate it if that makes it easier for you.  Depth is what's important, so you can de-fluff the swab if necessary. Try to avoid pushing too hard with the swab or pulling your hood up when you do the q-tip test, as this makes it difficult to evaluate the tissue. See the next image for a tip on the q-tip test.  Fig. 5 TIP: If the swab is only partially covered by the natural "overhang" of your hood, try to manually draw the skin down to cover the entire tip (Fig. 6). If you can get the tissue to cover, then you have enough to be pierced safely (by an expert). See the q-tip test video Fig. 6 To see videos of me performing piercings (female and male genitals and others), click here. Click here for information on getting an online anatomy consult. IMPORTANT NOTE: By sending me messages and/or photos you are granting me permission to use them (in context, strictly anonymously) on this site for educational purposes. If you do not wish to have me post our correspondence, please state this when you send your message.  If you find my website and/or email responses are helpful, a donation of any amount would be much appreciated Click to hear an interview with me about erotic piercings on the "Sex with Jaiya" radio show.   For additional information about male and female genital piercings, see the articles I've written on IntimateMedicine.com.

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