Cliteracy 101

At Intimate Wellbeing, we believe that sexual wellness begins with using the right terms for our anatomical parts. The clitoris is the female's most sensitive erogenous zone - it pretty much exists to make women feel good. That's its job! However, studies show that knowledge of its existence is still lacking in comparison to that of women's other sexual organs. We believe that the more education about the clitoris there is, the less stigma about the female body and female sexual pleasure there will be. Welcome to Cliteracy 101 - where we present facts and tidbits about the clitoris. As we gain more facts, we'll add to the list.

DID YOU KNOW...

1. HOW MANY NERVE ENDINGS?
   The clit erogenous zone spreads pleasure to more than 15,000 other nerve endings in the pelvis area.
2. ORGASMS = EXTRA OXYTOCIN
   Oxytocin is sometimes referred to as the “love hormone,” because levels increase during hugging and orgasm. Clitoral orgasms release a lot of oxytocin; the more intense the orgasm, the more oxytocin is secreted.
3. THE CLITORIS IS LIKE AN ICEBERG?
   It’s not just the small happy button above the top of the inner lips of the vagina; it’s a wishbone shaped pleasure treasure that extends up to 15cm into your body. The part that we see - the nub, is quite literally the tip of the iceberg - it can increase up to 20x the length inside.
4. THRE'S A LOT OF CONTRACTIONS?
   A clit orgasm can have anywhere between 3 and 17 contractions
5. HOW BIG IT CAN SWELL?
   Clits can swell 50-300% when aroused and engorged.
6. HOW IT GROWS?
   By the time a woman reaches her early 30’s her clit is 4x the size it was at puberty.
7. WHAT AFFECTS THE CLITORIS?
   Clitoral arousal can be affected by the moon cycle, stress levels, nutrition and hydration.
8. THE HISTORY OF THE NAME?
   Depending on who you believe, it dates back to the 17th century and was Greek root word for “key” - as in the key to a woman’s orgasm - thus the ancient Greeks often referred to it as for “divine” or “goddess like”. Some give credit as far back as the 15th century to Anatomist Mateo Renaldo Colombo, an Italian Professor who claimed to have discovered it. He coined it “Amor Veneris, vel dulce-do" (the love or sweetness of Venus).
   The term “clit” was first coined in the 1950’s.
9. THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT SHAPES & SIZES?
   As every woman is different, every clit is different in terms of shape and size. Some are hidden under the clitoral hood and some stick out. Some like a delicate touch, some like a lot of pressure. Some may shrink in later years, some may enlarge.
10. SIZE MAY MATTER?
    Some studies suggest that the distance between the clitoral hood and the vaginal opening is a key indicating factor of penis-in-vagina sexual pleasure. The closer the gap (less than 2.5cm), the more intense the orgasm. The farther away may require additional stimulation from toys (or pleasure devices as we refer to them).
11. ITS IMPORTANCE FOR PLEASURE?
    Some studies suggest that upwards of 75% of women need clitoral stimulation to achieve orgasm. The clit is the only organ in the body with the sole purpose of providing pleasure!