Let's Get Cliterate!

This week, we are talking about the clitoris. Why? There is still little known about the clitoris, despite research dating back to the seventeenth century, which shows its central significance to female orgasm. I find that tragic and unacceptable, and I am not alone. Sophia Wallace, an artist out of New York City, has taken it upon herself to spread the cliteracy message. In an interview with the Huffington Post, Ms. Wallace states that, “Even as the female body is the primary metaphor for sexuality…the clitoris is virtually invisible.” There is no conversation around the clitoris and no connection made between the clitoris and sexual pleasure. This is hugely problematic, because most women are orgasmic through clitoral stimulation. Many women are left to feel broken, because they cannot climax through vaginal sex alone, a myth perpetuated by society, film, and pornography. According to Ms. Wallace, “It’s insane to me that this is still happening in 2013.” Her use of multi-media images and interactive sculptures were created to drop some scientific clitoral facts into our everyday sex conversations. I especially like her piece on 100 rules of cliteracy and the giant golden clit rodeo. You can find out more about her brilliant work here.

To support her work and expand the conversation, I thought that I would drop some fun clitoral facts too:

1. The clitoris has over 8000 nerve fibers, more than anywhere else on the body and twice as many as the penis. AND it is the only organ wholly dedicated to pleasure. (From Woman: An Intimate Geography by Natalie Angier)
2. The glans of the clitoris (or button as some refer to it) is only 1/10th of the entire clitoris. Connected by the shaft, the rest of the clitoris, which looks like a wishbone, lies beneath the skin of the vulva and is called the crura. This part of the clitoris will swell to almost twice its size during arousal. (From Bonk by Mary Roach)
3. The clitoris is usually compared to the head of the penis, which is not entirely accurate. It has more nerve endings and contains no urethra. However, if it is not cleaned properly, it can create a hard, cheese-like substance called smegma, much like the head of an uncircumcised penis. (From Woman: An Intimate Geography by Natalie Angier)
4. Like the inner and outer labia, each clitoris is different. They vary in exact size, shape, protrusion, and distance from the vaginal opening. (From Bonk by Mary Roach)
5. Clitoral stimulation is not the only way a woman can achieve an orgasm. There are women who can think themselves into orgasm, who can climax by having their nipples tweaked, who can orgasm through neck massages. It just happens to be a damn good way for a lot of women to climax. (From Bonk by Mary Roach)

I hope that this sparks some conversation with friends and partners. I also hope it inspires some exploration. We could use some more cliteracy in this world!

- Lauren, supporter or all things cliterate!