The Vertical Clitoral Hood (VCH) is by far the most popular vulva piercing for several reasons. As the name describes, the piercing is placed in the same direction that those genitals are formed, so the jewelry rests between the legs without stress or irritation. The majority of vulvas are anatomically suited, with a hood (prepuce--the protective fold of hood tissue above the clitoris, analogous to the foreskin), in which jewelry can safely and comfortably be worn. And, importantly, many wearers find the VCH to be enjoyable and stimulating during sexual activities.
General Information
All types of people, from sorority sisters to empty-nest retirees, are getting VCH piercings. Numerous piercees who have no other body art wear the VCH. It is suited to anyone with a vulva who wants to explore new avenues of erotic sensation—if they’re anatomically built for it. This piercing is liberating and stimulating, appealing, and inspiring.
Dr. Vaughn Millner and associates at the University of South Alabama conducted a research study on VCH piercings as they relate to sexual satisfaction. The results led to the following statement: “In this exploratory study, we identify a positive relationship between vertical clitoral hood piercing and desire, frequency of intercourse and arousal.” These encouraging findings were published in the prestigious (and conservative) American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology!
I've had clients tell me that following a VCH piercing they'd become multi-orgasmic, and others became able to climax from intercourse who couldn't previously.
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Placement
This hood is typically configured like a tiny one-ended tunnel, and the VCH pierces just the (usually thin) skin above your clitoris, not through the glans itself. Most of the jewelry rests under the hood, so your clitoris receives direct action from contact with the jewelry during sexual activities. Many piercees enjoy this a great deal, but if you would describe your clitoris as hypersensitive, you will probably not want to wear jewelry in this location.
To determine if you have sufficient depth for this piercing, try the Q-tip test: slide a lubricated cotton swab underneath your hood. If most of the cottony end fits under the tunnel, then you have enough depth for a VCH. If the swab is too wide, you can remove some of the fluff; the concern is depth, not width. If you have a shallow tunnel and only part of the tip fits under your hood, you may not be a candidate for the VCH. In some cases, an expert can cheat the piercing a little further up for safety. I use a 3/8" distance or further for safety and longevity of the piercing.
There are two other considerations. To be suited, you must also lack a visible vein along the midline, and have enough room for the jewelry to rest safely and comfortably. Some hoods are deep enough , but have too little space above the hood for jewelry to rest safely, due to a large or heavy pubic mound.
Traditional placement for the VCH is at the apex (the deepest part) underneath the hood, along the midline. The piercing is commonly situated 3⁄8 to 9⁄16 of an inch up from the edge of the hood, depending on its depth. The VCH should be essentially equidistant from the edge on the top and underneath. Because of the tunnel shape, only a small amount of skin is pierced; I can often see right through it! On the deepest of hoods, the piercing may be placed lower than the apex to moderate the jewelry size. If you have a deep hood but don’t care to add much sensation, you might want to have the piercing placed a few millimeters below the apex.
Asymmetry in this region is quite common and an expert can assist you in the safest and most aesthetic placement for your unique build.
If you are overweight, you may still be a candidate for a VCH piercing if you have sufficient hood tissue in a suitable configuration, and your piercer can access the area to perform the procedure. Sometimes an assistant is needed to help expose the region (either you or a studio employee, wearing clean gloves). Even if your jewelry will be entirely tucked in and hidden by full outer labia, once it is in place, the VCH generally heals well.
Inexpert piercers frequently place the VCH too close to the edge of the hood. Shallow piercings result in less pleasure because the jewelry is too far from the clitoris. Also, if too little tissue is pierced, there is a risk of tearing and accidental hood bifurcation (splitting).
Another error is terribly common: the piercing is made through just the surface skin, and the jewelry does not rest beneath the hood (against the clitoris) at all. These are subject to migration, rejection, and scarring, plus they pierce through far more tissue than a properly placed VCH. Even worse (horrendous!), I regularly see accidental piercings of the clitoral glans by piercers who are unclear on the anatomy and procedure.
Note that I ALWAYS wear gloves for client contact! Images without gloves were sent to me for consultations, and are posted anonymously and with permission.
Jewelry
I use curved barbells in fresh VCH piercings, though some piercers favor straight ones. The curve conforms well to the area, enables the jewelry to rest a little closer to the clitoris, and provides a small amount of extra room without added length. In snug hoods, straight bars can cause pressure against the tissue. I would start with a ring only if you have an especially deep valley, so the jewelry doesn’t protrude. If you are configured with a hill, a bar is the only suitable style, and even so, the piercing may be subject to a bit more trauma and irritation than those whose hoods rest more protected within their labia.
If you have a deeply recessed and hidden hood, you may still be suited to a VCH piercing if it has adequate depth, and your piercer can access the area to perform the procedure. If necessary, you or a studio employee, wearing clean gloves, can help to expose your hood. Even if your jewelry will be entirely tucked in and obscured by surrounding tissue, the VCH generally heals well. One concern is that irritation or embedding can result if the pubic mound puts excessive pressure against the top of the jewelry. A 7-millimeter silicone disc worn on the bar post beneath the top ornament will prevent these issues.
Inexpert piercers frequently place the VCH too low and close to the edge of the hood. Shallow piercings provide less sensation because the jewelry rests farther from the clitoris. Also, if too little tissue is pierced, you have a higher risk of tearing, migration, and rejection. Worse, many untrained “pros” perform inappropriate hood surface piercings, which don’t contact the clitoris at all, and have a high risk of excessive scarring and other complications.
When you wear a bar for healing, the bottom end should show below the inverted V that forms the hood’s peak. It should not be hidden entirely underneath. However, this is an option once healing is concluded and might be more pleasurable if your hood covers your glans. A ring worn as initial jewelry must be large enough to avoid constricting the tissue.
Procedure
Before you sign up, ask the piercer how they perform the piercing. If the reply is, “With forceps,” turn around and leave! Clamping the tissue for a VCH can endanger your clitoris and cause the jewelry to rest too far from it. Or you might get one of the misplaced surface piercings that is just through a pinch of superficial skin on top of the hood. Unfortunately, these placement blunders are widespread.
A more suitable procedure is to use a needle receiving tube under the hood. I pierce through the dot that I marked for placement, and into the tube protecting your clitoris underneath. Alternatively, your piercer may carefully insert the needle under your hood and pierce upward using a freehand technique. The pierced tissue is often much thinner than that of an earlobe. A small percentage of piercees have thicker skin here, which is usually a little more sensitive during the procedure and may take longer to heal.
You might find that prepping under your hood with a swab or the pressure from the receiving tube is the most uncomfortable part of the procedure. When performed properly, the sensation of the piercing itself is very brief, and afterward there is seldom lingering discomfort. By the time you are dressed, you’re likely to find that your VCH piercing feels good already, or simply that you notice something is there. It is also normal to feel nothing different at all.
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Healing and Troubleshooting
Some bleeding is to be expected for a few days, but many piercees elect to wear a panty liner throughout their initial healing stages. Choose an unscented variety, and for maximum protection, you may want to place it a little bit forward of where it is normally worn. Snug, supportive underwear is helpful to prevent the jewelry from moving around excessively, though very tight jeans can actually cause damage, so listen to your body and dress comfortably.
The VCH piercing has a very quick healing time. Some people swear theirs is healed in a week or even less. To be on the safe side, you should care for yours during the entire four-week minimum healing time, even if it feels fine sooner. And it is still normal if it takes twice that long to heal, which is still quick compared to many other body piercings.
Occasionally, a bump will form at the top of the piercing, beneath the ornament. It is critical to avoid friction and tight, constrictive garments. Wearing cotton underwear or unscented panty liners and keeping the area dry might be helpful.
If you have a hill with an exposed hood, you may find healing more challeng- ing, and the first week or so it might be a little more sensitive. Wearing the smallest jewelry that is safe will help to minimize irritation. If your initial jewelry is still uncomfortable or troublesome after the early accommodation period, its size or style will need to be changed by a professional as soon as possible.
A properly positioned VCH does not pierce through any significant nerves, so there is no basis for a loss of sensation.
Engaging in physical activities after getting a VCH piercing is fine; just listen to your body. Take a break from bicycling or horseback riding for a few weeks. With the exception of these activities, you will probably find that your new piercing doesn’t cause discomfort while exercising; in fact, you may not even notice it. Then again, it may inspire you to work out. More than a few piercees have discovered that the stair-stepper or other gym equipment holds new interest for them after getting a genital piercing!
For those who have little space for jewelry and pressure from a large or heavy pubic mound, a VERY simple resolution is a medical-grade silicone disc worn continuously beneath the top ball or gem. This acts like a small washer, protects the tissue, and prevents embedding.
What My Happy Clients Say
My VCH healed beautifully, and our first "test drive" with some safe, gentle sex yielded not just one but MANY orgasms with just penetration alone. No additional clitoral stimulation needed, which was always needed for me in the past to reach orgasm.
My mind is BLOWN. This piercing has changed my life.
I wish every woman could experience this. My time on earth will be forever better.
I absolutely LOVE my VCH Piercing! I haven't felt any discomfort or pain since the split second poke from the piercing (lol)....no joke the piercing was really like a split second honestly! I felt beyond comfortable with Elayne.
I didn't leave with any unanswered questions! I'm so happy I found Elayne.. NOBODY can compare to her ... Elayne you are truly the BEST!!!!!
You did a vertical clit hood piercing for me. I did not have any issues with the piercing, and frankly is the best money I’ve ever spent!