Clit Orgasm Tips for Partner & Solo Clitoral Stimulation

That is just the tip of the clitoral iceberg. The majority of the clitoris—about four fifths of it—is submerged in the body, encircling the vagina. (When we include the internal parts of the clitoris, it measures roughly the same length as the average flaccid penis: 3.5 inches.) The whole structure is shaped roughly like a wishbone with clitoral "bulbs"—plump, parenthesis-shaped sacs of erectile tissue—that straddle the entrance of the vagina. When stimulated, the bulbs engorge, hugging the vagina and making any penetration more pleasurable in the process, a win-win if I’ve ever encountered one.

Clitoral vs. vaginal orgasms

There’s a lot of talk about clitoral versus vaginal orgasms (or C-spot versus G-spot orgasms), but neither exists in total isolation. Stimulation of the clitoris often recruits other lady parts into the mix, and likewise, stimulation of the vagina during intercourse also indirectly stimulates parts of the clitoris.

That said, a clit orgasm is different from a vaginal orgasm. Women tend to report that orgasms elicited by stimulation focused on the clitoris tend to feel intense but more "localized"; while orgasms resulting from primarily vaginal stimulation produce orgasms experienced as more "deep and heaving."

For most women, penetration alone may not be sufficient to ring the orgasm bell, but knowing the connection between your vagina and your clitoris can help you increase the probability of having an orgasm with a partner during penetrative sex. (For example, women who appreciate the role that engorgement of the clitoral bulbs play in making vaginal penetration feel more pleasurable tend to make sure they are more than sufficiently aroused before having intercourse in the first place.)

Both types of orgasms light up an area of the brain called the primary somatosensory cortex, which my lab has coined “the genital sensory cortex." This particular region is tucked into a space between the two hemispheres of the brain, which I lovingly call the "brain's crotch."

If the clitoris is ground zero for sexual pleasure in the body, ground zero for sexual sensations in the brain is the genital sensory cortex. We found that stimulation of the clitoris, vagina, and cervix (as well as the nipples, which is a topic for next week) all light up this region. The more areas of the genitals you stimulate, the more neurons will be activated in your genital sensory cortex and the more off-the-charts your orgasm will be.

How to stimulate your clitoris

The foundation of a juicy erotic life starts with taking time to play with your body—exploring it thoroughly, and getting comfortable enough with prioritizing pleasure to share what feels good with your partner.

You might notice that your clit's preferred method of stimulation may vary with your state of sexual arousal. Before you’re fully turned on, the head of the clitoris might be too sensitive to be touched directly. This is a great time to explore pressing down on the hood of the clit and rolling the shaft back and forth between your fingers with increasing pressure as the stimulation begins to build. As arousal builds, more direct stimulation of the glans can intensify sensation.