I received a piercing-problem consultation request from a woman who had received a genital piercing. It stated:

"I knew there would be pain, but I have been through childbirth and this piercing was WAY worse. Even for hours afterward. I’m not confident that this piercing is in the correct spot at all, and I’m not sure if I should remove it, or let it heal and see what happens. It’s 5 hours later and it’s still painful."

When I saw the photo, my knees went weak. It wasn't clear what piercing she'd been planning to get. She later told me she had gone in for a horizontal clitoral hood (HCH) piercing. Poor thing! This was my response:

Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry to tell you this, but it appears that your clitoral glans and/or clitoral shaft has been pierced. 

Your piercing is in NO WAY located anywhere near where a piercing in that region should go. I’m not sure what piercing you requested, but you definitely didn’t get it. I assume you were trying to get a triangle piercing? 

If so, I imagine that you already saw this page of my site, which demonstrates the type of build required, and appropriate placement for a triangle piercing?

It should be abandoned right away. And you should definitely be given your money back!

Further, it appears that your build is entirely unsuited to any form of horizontal placement (neither HCH nor triangle) due to your concave configuration, and very petite hood region.

Where are you located? Perhaps I can suggest a more competent professional to assist you?

Would you be willing to tell me who did this piercing? I can’t imagine that they actually had any training.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

She said:

Thank you for such a quick response! And That’s what I thought! I removed it last night because I couldn’t stand it anymore.

I contacted the piercer who did my piercing and they refused a refund because I didn’t complain at the shop. He accepted no fault and pinned it back on me. After I politely suggested further training so perhaps this doesn’t occur again, he told me he took multiple training courses, one of which was taught by you! I guess he didn't pay attention, or didn’t care that I wasn’t anatomically fit. I hope and pray he doesn’t pierce anyone else in that region. If you happen to know of anyone within a state or two away, I’d be willing to try again once I heal back up. 

Chaz Busbin at Revolution Ink in Pelham, Alabama did my piercing. He told me I was unable to get a VCH which was what I originally wanted. He said he would do a horizontal instead, and what I showed you is what I ended up with. I think I still have feeling, which is what I was the most scared of when I saw it. 

I replied:

Well SHAME ON HIM! I am appalled and outraged to think that this piercing was performed by someone who'd attended one of the courses on Female Genital Piercings that I taught at the Association of Professional Piercers' conferences. Or that he even said that he had attended! That is certainly something I ever taught, and that I have warned against accidental clitoral piercings very loudly and specifically.

I’m horrified if he actually did take my class! If he did, he most definitely was NOT paying attention—or didn’t care that you were anatomically unsuited to the piercing. Argh! (It is very frustrating for me because I work so hard to educate and to elevate the safety of my field….)

Did you speak to the owner of the studio? Really, you should get your money back; you were hacked! Definitely post some bad reviews if you’re up for it. 

Unfortunately, it appears that there are no members of the Association of Professional Piercers in your state. 

I’ll be happy to take a look at your build once your wounds have healed. But from what I saw, you did not appear to be built for a horizontal piercing. I’d need to see you try the q-tip test to evaluate you for a vertical clitoral hood (VCH) piercing. But it looks like your hood is really petite.

I’m so sorry you had a bad experience.

This was her last communique:

He said since I didn't complain before I left, the chance for a refund was void. But Please post about it! I don’t want him messing up someone else! I’m working on a review currently. “If you want to pay for genital mutilation, I have the place for you..” sort of vibe. Thank you for your help! And once I get healed up, I’ll do the q-tip test and see what happens! 

FOLLOW-UP:
I contacted the original studio where the piercer did this (Good Neighbor Body Art) and the owner responded immediately; he was mortified. I soon heard from the piercer who said he would offer the piercee a full refund. That's appropriate, but it should not have required my intervention; he should have immediately done that when the piercee complained!)The piercer, Chaz Busbin, has since moved to Revolution Ink in Pelham, Alabama. 

He promised not to do any more female genital piercings until he got additional training. I shared my Female Genital Piercing PowerPoint presentation with him, and I hope it clarifies to him what he did wrong!