Exploring Clitoral Stimulation: The Ultimate Guide
Ready to explore one of the hottest erogenous zones on the body? Read on for our top tips and recommendations for techniques for clitoral pleasure!
What is the clitoris?
The clitoris (aka the clit) is a nerve-dense erogenous structure whose sole purpose is for pleasure - it has no other biological function other than helping us to feel good, which in our opinion makes it a vital body part for sure.
The clit has the highest concentration of nerve endings per square inch as compared to any other part of the human body, which is why it responds so eagerly to touch and stimulation. So, for most folks who have a clitoris, they need some form of clitoral stimulation to reach orgasm.
Where is the clit?
The clit has two portions that we refer to - the external glans (or head), and the internal clitoris (the wishbone). When looking for the clit, you’re more than likely searching for the bit that you can physically touch and stimulate directly - the head.
The head of the clit is a pea-shaped nub that’s located at the apex of the labia - towards the top of the vulva, between the pubic mound and the urethral opening. For some, the clit may be smaller and / or may be covered by a thicker clitoral hood, making it harder to locate - but if you can’t find it right away, don’t get discouraged. The clitoris will become more pronounced with arousal, so just up your foreplay game and keep exploring!
Anatomy of the clit
That clitoral glans is just the tip of the iceberg that is the clitoral complex - the rest of the clitoris is internal, going deeper inside of the body to surround the vaginal opening in the shape of a wishbone with unique structures that create this iconic erogenous zone.
Let’s break it down:
Glans clitoris: The “pleasure button,” the “bean,” the “bald man in a boat.” This is the external nub that most folks are talking about when they reference the clit. Despite its small stature, the glans clitoris is home to thousands of nerve endings. When the body is aroused, the glans clitoris extrudes and becomes more pronounced, and gets enhanced in sensitivity to physical contact and stimulation.
Clitoral hood: Think of this as the foreskin of the clit. At the apex, the labia minora connect and form the clitoral hood, acting to cover the super-sensitive clitoral glans. When the body is aroused, the hood may retract slightly to expose the glans.
Corpus cavernosum: One of the sponge-like regions of the clitoris that’s made of erectile tissue - meaning that it fills with blood during arousal to cause an erection (like the corpus cavernosum of the penis!) Despite sounding like a Harry P*tter spell, the term corpora cavernosa actually means “cave-like bodies”.
Paired crura: The “legs” of the clitoris that surround the vaginal canal and vestibular bulbs. Each leg of the V-shape of the crura converges and flank the urethra, urethral sponge, G-zone, and vaginal opening.
Bulbs of vestibule: Another erectile structure of the clit, during response to sexual arousal, these bulbs will fill with blood and become erect, cuffing the vaginal opening and causing the vulva to expand and put pleasurable pressure on the other structures in the clitoral network.
How to stimulate the clitoris
Now that we know what the clit is and how it works - let’s dive into the good stuff: how to stimulate the clit for sexual pleasure. Remember that everybody’s body is unique, and the way that we experience sensation is, too.
Get in the right state of mind
Remember that the clit has erectile tissue, which means that during the arousal process, it can take some time for the clitoris to prep itself to do its sole duty of providing those feel-great responses.
Arousal starts in the brain and triggers our body to respond through the release of dopamine and adrenaline, as well as increased heart rate and blood pressure (this is what will cause erections in the penis and clitoris), vaginal self-lubrication, hardened nipples, dilation of the pupils, and vasocongestion of the skin – aka the sex flush that can appear, most commonly across the face and chest. But this isn’t instantaneous, and sometimes it takes a little more prompting for some of these responses to occur - it’s a reason why foreplay is so important!
Start slow and don’t jump from 0 to 100 on clitoral touch unless you already know that’s what your body loves. Dim the lights and put on a sexy playlist - try some dirty talk with a partner or turn yourself on by breaking out the erotica, watching some porn, whatever gets you hot! Pay attention to other erogenous zones, tempt, tease, and let yourself get a little worked up first to make the most of your play.
Hand Techniques for Clitoral Stimulation
Our hands are one of the best tools that we have for clit play - from warming up to getting off. BTW- we highly recommend using lubricant with any of these hand techniques!
5 hand and fingering techniques:
Around the World: This finger technique is great for getting started. Using the pads of your fingertips, slowly trace the entire vulva, near the thighs. With each lap, slowly move your fingers inwards, making the clit the center point of the circle that you draw, teasing and closing in until you’re making tiny circles on the head of the clitoris.
“Vulvan” Salute: Making a “V” out of your fingers (between middle and ring like the Star Trek Vulcan salute or between pointer and middle like a peace sign), move your hand in a back-and-forth motion down the top of the vulva, surrounding the clit and lightly pinching the sides with each pass.
Double The Fun: Since the internal bits of the clitoris surround the vaginal canal, shallow penetration can be another way to stimulate the clitoral body. Use as many fingers as you like, curling upwards towards the belly button (towards the G-spot!) while your thumb stays outside to circle the external clitoral head.
Ay, There’s The Rub: Use your entire palm to rub and massage the clit and vulva, grinding against your hand and fingers. This is a great technique for those who get overstimulated easily by direct touch.
Oral Techniques for Clitoral Stimulation
The mouth has so many shapes and textures - soft lips, wet spit, hard teeth, warm tongue - and each of these can bring a unique way to stimulate the super-sensitive clit. Experiment, have fun, and give some of these cunnilingus techniques a spin:
5 oral sex techniques for cunnilingus:
Soft Serve: Relax your tongue into a broad shape for a soft and pillowy texture, and lap at your partner’s clit, imagining that they’re an ice cream cone that’s beginning to melt. Move around the whole vulva, licking up to finish at the tip of the clit with each pass of your tongue.
Know your ABCs: This one is a classic. Engage the muscles in your tongue to make a more pinpoint shape, like you’re sticking out your tongue like a brat - and use the tip to spell out the letters of the alphabet across the head of the clit. But don’t just speed-run from A to Z! Take your time and experiment with pressure, relaxing your tongue for a broad shape, slowing down and speeding up - and gauge your partner’s reaction. If you find that “M” stands for “moaning” - take some time to focus on that letter… maybe spell out the word “minimum” a few times for maximum pleasure.
Make Some Noise: Sound is vibration, and so adding in some noises while you go down can be a game changer - hum, sigh, and moan against your partner as you work your mouth. The sensation of warm breath blended with how hot this can sound is a winning combo. Bonus points if you were moaning already.
Suck It: Another sensation that a lot of folks love on the clit is suction (in fact, there’s a whole genre of sex toys designed for clitoral suction!) and our mouths are the perfect tool. You can add in other sensation as you suck - stuttering your breath, flicking out your tongue, nuzzling your head against the body, bobbing your neck up and down like you’re giving the clit a blowjob - again, gauge your partner’s responses and invite them to tell you what feels great.
Want more cunnilingus tips? Check out our Babe Blog: Get Down with Going Down!
Toy Techniques for Clitoral Stimulation
Then, of course, there’s sex toys! There are so many different styles of sex toys designed with the clitoris in mind, and all of the ways that you can explore sensation with them. Here’s a few recs:
Toy techniques and recommendations:
Try: Je Joue Bullet Vibes, Pocket Rocket Elite, The One Rose
Broad stimulation: Toys with a wider shape will help provide more diffused sensation - covering more surface on the body instead of honing in on the clit directly. Palm-shaped vibes and wand-style vibes can be great for grinding against, holding against the body, or even putting in-between two bodies in face-to-face positions like missionary.
Try: Dame Pom, Magic Wand Rechargeable, VibePad
Positioning pillows + furniture: Changing the position of our bodies can make a huge difference in our ability to move and access different parts of the body. Positioning pillows can elevate the pelvis to open the hips, allowing for the body to spread apart easier - which can be great for access during cunnilingus and other clit play.
Try: Liberator Heart, Wedge Pillow, Cello Chaise
Explore more about clitoral vibes in our External Toys Babe Blog or peep our Sexpert picks below!
