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Clitoris Health — the most vulnerable part of the anatomy. Female sexual health is still a forbidden word in most of the countries. Very naturally, a developing mind will have questions surrounding a developing body. So do people with a vagina.
Our understanding of sex education is not only limited, but also restricted. When talking of it, we focus only on intercourse; but it also includes your sex organs— and everything about them. As breast health awareness is reaching people, it is time that women focus on their clitoris health — the most vulnerable part of the anatomy.
Female sexuality or sexual health is still a forbidden word in most of the countries. Very naturally, a developing mind will have questions surrounding a developing body. So do people with a vagina.
But they are still hesitant to talk about it, raise questions or reach out for help in case of doubts. This hesitation has enabled the sprouting of capitalist ventures that have exploited and misrepresented female hygiene to sell intimate care products.
Swooping in as the saviours with all the answers to their questions, they have focused less on healthy sexuality and more on endorsing their brand. This adversely affects vaginal or clitoral health, at large.
Clitoris is the more complex part of the female genitalia that is solely devoted to sexual pleasure.
Medicinal line has long ignored the intricacies of female genitalia, giving way to a lot of misconceptions that were not merely unhealthy, but also fatal. It is easier to drive through a familiar road rather than an unknown one on a foggy night.
With recent rise in awareness, sexologists are paying more attention to studying the female genitalia. Hence, more studies on clitoris health and the vagina ailments are coming to be.
To begin with— no two female genitals are similar. They differ in every way possible. Okay, now moving on to anatomy.
The entire external part of the female genitalia, what meets the eye, is broadly called vulva, while the internal half is called vagina. Your clitoris is located at the top of your vulva. It is tucked away in the clitoral hood, or the top floor of your lady part.
Now, imagine an iceberg. Only one-third of it is visible, and the rest is submerged underwater.
Similarly, what you see or mark as the clitoris is merely the clitoral glans, which has a huge number of nerve-endings that makes it all the more sensitive to touch. The rest of the clitoris is internally placed. It is said to be as long as 4-7 centimetres!
When you are sexually aroused, the blood supply to these nerve endings increases. This leads to slight withdrawal of the clitoral hood and enlargement of the clitoris.
But it is NOT equal to a penis. Since the clitoris is a bundle of nerves and is the most vital organ for sexual pleasure, it is necessary to look after its well-being.
Literature surrounding the female genitalia is just expanding in recent times. Hence, as more comes to light, the better awareness spreads. There are not many serious conditions associated with your clitoral health.
Just like you would pay attention to discomfort in any other part of the body, you should do the same for your clitoris, or vagina, as well. It is advised to consult your gynaecologist if you feel:
These symptoms are mild and can be easily treated with medicinal advice. They are most commonly attributed to Yeast infection.
Apart from what is discussed above, there are conditions that are more serious. These may include Clitoromegaly, Clitoral Adhesions, Metastatic Cancer, and Lichen Sclerosus.
There are no medical tests devoted to measuring clitoral health. But common tests like common blood tests, Pap-Smear, mammographies, and ultrasonography are performed to gauge any condition.
Much is yet to be known about the major role of clitoral hygiene specifically. However, vaginal hygiene is the broader term and does include your clitoris as well. Here are a few general tips to keep in mind for keeping your lady part clean and safe:
The products mess with the natural bacteria that lives down there and is essential for the healthy acidic maintenance of the genitalia. Use plain water daily to simply wash the clitoris. You can use mild soap, but not daily.
Using water or other cleaning products to douche can lead to yeast infection, which can lead to— mild to severe dysfunction of the clitoris. Again, plain water works best.
Use fingertips to clean your clitoris and other parts of the vulva instead of a paper towel.
Hence, while engaging in sexual stimulation, keep in mind to hit the clit but not for too long.
Those with a clitoris are the individuals who have an entire single organ dedicated to sexual pleasure. Yet, for a long time it was believed to be an identity mark of a witch.
Does your mind wander into witchcraft when you are at the peak of your orgasm? Or, just like the clitoris, even female orgasm is likely to be a new concept for men? I wonder.
Image source: Cliff Booth via pexels, Giuseppe Ramos – STU, Annefoster Hinh anh cua nguyen van kien, free on Canva Pro
The author is a Gen-Z kid who resorts to writing to vent out about the problematic ways of the world. Having majored in Theatre, English, and Psychology, I take a guilty pleasure in complex read more...
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*Some spoilers alert*
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