I just received email from a reader who had a question or two about VCH piercings:

hello angel,

I have emailed you before and I have your book--great book! I have been thinking about getting a VCH in a couple of weeks. I know you said in the book that you do not have to be stimulated in the clit to have this done. My question is would it be better to have this done so that I know how big the jewelry should be? I would like go  as big as I can in size. Also, can this be done without a receiving tube (free hand)? I have checked this out with a piercer and he said that it can. I would like your comments on this please. P.S. might be fun too....................karen in pa

Hi Karen,

Different piercers use different techniques. I favor the receiving tube, but if your piercer is trained and experienced at freehand technique, then that should work fine.

Because the piercing passes through so little tissue, the proper measurement for the jewelry is the distance between where the piercing will be placed and the edge of your clitoral hood. A skilled piercer will be able to determine the appropriate measurement with no problem. The hood area may actually shorten or draw back when you're stimulated, because it is primarily the clitoris that enlarges during arousal. (Think of how a foreskin works on a penis.)

My principle is to start at a minimum gauge (14 or 12) to preserve the maximum tissue in the area and if desired, stretch later as your anatomy allows. The jewelry should fit properly when your piercing is fresh (the way it looks in the illustration in my book) and then you can go larger after healing, if you like.

Good luck and let me know how it goes.
Sincerely,
Elayne