Why Does My Clit Hurt?

“Ouch! My clit is hurting! What are the causes?” 

The clit is supposed to make us feel good but why does it feel bad? While clit pain can be alarming, don’t be scared because it can be easily treated. Clit pain is mainly due to infection, injury, or medical condition that you haven’t checked yet. In some cases, the pain can be severe such as throbbing, burning, and stinging pain. 

Anatomy of the Clitoris and its sensitivities:

Clitoris, sometimes called, “clit”, is found in front of your vagina, and on top of your urethra. It has thousands of sensory nerves, that some extend more than 5 inches inside your body. Masturbating or touching your clitoris can also cause sexual arousal and orgasm. 

Possible Causes of Painful Clit

There are many reasons your clit hurts so let us list the possible causes of your clitoral pain!

Irritation from soap products

• Sometimes, your clit hurts because of the soap and other hygienic products that you’re using because of the chemicals and dyes that are found in the products. Rashes, inflammation, and pain are the main symptoms of clitoral pain. 

Infections

• Yeast infections and Sexually Transmitted Infections can also cause clitoral pain. If your partner and you did not have safe sex and your sexual partner has STI, this will likely lead to clitoral pain, vaginal discharge, and burning sensation during sex and while peeing, and this can also lead to major STIs or STDs.

Bacterial Vaginosis

• This is a common infection that creates a foul-smelling vaginal discharge that can lead to clitoral pain.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

• If you have a burning sensation while peeing and have a painful vulvar region, more likely you have UTI and it can lead to a painful clit. 

Lichen Sclerosus

• It is a skin condition that can affect your vaginal entrance and can lead to scarring, bleeding, blistering, and tearing. This can cause pain in the vagina, including the clitoris.

Clitoral Adhesions

• These are small buildups of skin that can grow to your clitoris. If left untreated, it will scratch the surface of your clit, causing pain and discomfort.

Sexual Abuse

• If you experienced sexual abuse before, chances are, your immediate injuries are healed but the clitoris pain will remain. Take note also that the trauma of the abuse will affect you psychologically which can lead to lasting pain in your vagina – especially if you’re going to have sex. 

Underlying conditions affecting the nervous system

• Disease or sickness that affects your nervous system can also contribute to your clitoral pain if left untreated and if you still haven’t scheduled a check-up with your doctor.

What does Clit pain feel like?

Since your clit has many sensory nerves, it will most likely feel pain and discomfort when it feels something is off. The pain varies from person to person but it can disturb your everyday life. 

If you’re experiencing…

Stinging

Burning

Throbbing

Aching

Itchy

Stabbing

Shooting

…you might want to have your vagina and your clitoris checked because this can lead to a painful and uncomfortable clit!

Remember, clitoris pain comes and goes so it’s best to observe the pain that you’re feeling from your clit and then tell it to your doctor. 

What activities to avoid

To lessen the pain and discomfort that your clit is feeling, you might want to avoid these activities!

• Avoid wearing tight clothes, especially in the vagina area
• Avoid sitting for too long because it can cause discomfort to your clit
• Avoid sexual activities since it can trigger pain in your clitoral area
• Avoid exercising especially if the focus is on the bottom region of your body. It can make your clit discomfort and painful.

Remember, if you can’t avoid doing these activities, be mindful of how your clit will react to it. 

Preventive Pussy Care

To maintain your pussy happily and healthily, here are some reminders to care for your pussy area!

Be Gentle!

• If you’re touching yourself, be nice and slow! Increase the speed and tempo when you feel like your clit is craving for more touch!

Use lube!

• Jellytime’s Natural water-based lubricant is your bestie! If you’re planning for a solo sexy time with your clit, use lube because, unlike the vagina that produces lubricant, your clit doesn’t! Remember ladies, dryness can cause friction and pain to your clit so use lube! 

Avoid Irritants

• If you feel like the soap or hygiene product that you’re using is a factor as to why your clit hurts, DON’T BUY IT. Buy soaps and hygiene products that are perfectly safe to use if your vagina area – preferably the ones that do not have any chemicals and the ingredients are au naturel.

Clit Pain Diagnosis and Treatment

In diagnosing the clit pain, the doctor will do these:

1. Gathering of information such as Pain, Other symptoms, Sexual History, and Overall health
2. The doctor will examine your vulva and vagina – looking for skin conditions or any sign of injuries
3. Testing of infections, if there are any
4. More tests will be administered if the doctor does not find any causes of your clitoral pain

For the treatment of the clitoral pain, it will vary because it will be dependent on the cause or the degree of the pain. Here are some of the treatment options:

Antibiotic

• This can treat rashes, UTIs, BVs, and some STIs. Remember to use antibiotics as per your doctor’s prescription!

Antivirals

• This can keep STIs such as herpes from causing pain to your vulvar area – especially the clitoris.

Antifungals

• This will be used to treat yeast infections and some rashes

Pain Relievers

• Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs can help lessen the inflammation and it will relieve the pain. This can be bought with a prescription or over the counter. 

Antidepressants

• These can treat your nerve pain and chronic pain.

Anticonvulsants

• This can help treat your nerve pain.

Physical Therapy

• Physical Therapy such as Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy can help strengthen your pelvic muscles and can also relieve the pain in your vulvar region. 

Sex therapy and counseling 

• Therapies and counseling can help you be comfortable with sex and with your own body. These include tackling sexual topics and deep diving into your sexual psyche.

Practicing safe and more gentle sex

• Tell your partner that your clit hurts especially if you’re having sex. Tell them that you wanted to have safer sex and be more gentle to lessen your clit pain.

1. Apply a cold compress to your vulvar region after sex.

When to Call a Doctor?

Contact your doctor if you’re having a mild to moderate clit pain. Call IMMEDIATELY if you’re experiencing:

• Fever lasting more than 3 days
• Vaginal bleeding that is not menstruation
• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Persistent pain in your clitoris and vulvar region

It’s better to be safe than sorry. If you’re experiencing the symptoms above, it is best to contact your doctor so the severity of the clit pain will be avoided. 

Conclusion

If you’re feeling pain or discomfort in your clitoral area, don’t panic. Observe the pain and the discomfort and if you need to go to the doctor to check the clitoral pain, tell them everything that has happened to you and tell them your clitoral pain observations. 

Just remember to be open and honest with your doctor when talking about the clitoral pain so that they will know what steps of tests or medicines will they give to you. 

Sources

https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/clitoris-pain

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23487-clitoris-pain-clitorodynia

https://www.yourdaye.com/vitals/womens-health/why-does-my-clit-hurt/

https://www.pelvicpaindoc.com/blog/whats-causing-the-stabbing-pain-in-my-clitoris/