The Vagina Dialogues: Female Genital Piercing
Body modification is unique to humans and has been around for 30,000 years. For various reasons it has been encouraged in the ancient times. But as time passed this reason based culture has been adopted to the demanding needs of today’s fashion and emerging trends. Doctors advised Victorian women to pierce their nipples in an attempt to enlarge the nipples to aid in breast-feeding.
Aboriginal women elongated their labia, while women from Borneo and central Africa practiced piercing and stretching of the labia to help attract a husband. Earrings have been used to denote wealth and nobility from the Egyptians through the Victorian age. Queen Isabella of Bavaria, who reined 1385-1417, introduced plunging necklines that revealed the breasts and called for adornment of the nipples to show off jewelry. This fashion trend included rouge on the nipples as well as diamond studs and gold nipple rings linked by delicate gold chains, even strands of pearls.
Female genital piercing has only been around for the past twenty years, as opposed to male genital piercing. Female genital piercings not only have the potential to enhance your sexual pleasure, but also are visually striking and far less painful than expected.
It is absolutely crucial to choose a reputable piercer who has had extensive genital piercing experience and maintains a clean, sterile non-smoking environment using individually wrapped medical grade hypodermic needles and autoclaves all additional equipment. Only high quality surgical stainless steel, titanium or 18K+ gold should be used when genital piercing is done.
During your healing time, you MUST engage in safe sex and avoid sharing bodily fluids. Even if you are in a monogamous relationship, dental dams, latex or polyurethane barriers MUST be used to protect the piercing, since it is an open wound. Fresh genital piercings dramatically increase the chances of infection and transmission of STIs. Be sure to keep the piercing and the surrounding area clean to prevent infection. Follow the specific cleaning instructions provided by your piercer.
Types of Genital Piercings in Female.
The most popular piercing is the Vertical Clitoral Hood, takes four-six weeks to heal, placed vertically through the thin bit of tissue above the clit so that the jewelry touches the clit. Many people go in asking for a “clit piercing,” but really mean a hood piercing which goes through the hood, not the clit.
The Horizontal Clitoral Hood piercing takes six-eight weeks to heal is done primarily for aesthetic purposes. If you are not built symmetrically, which most of us aren’t, the jewelry has a tendency to lean or twist to one side. The Vertical Hood piercing provides the most pleasure and with the least amount of trauma, although some women end up with both!
Clitoris piercing is the most intense piercing, takes four-six weeks to heal is VERY rare and should only be done by a highly experienced piercer, since there is risk of irreversible nerve damage if done improperly. Ninety percent of women are not built for this vertical piercing, since you must have a large enough clit with a loose hood or exposed clit to accommodate the jewelry.
The Triangle piercing takes two-three months to heal is a horizontal piercing behind the nerve bundle of the clit at the base of the hood tissue. The jewelry is placed to provide stimulation to the BACK of your clitoris! Most women are not built for this piercing since you must have a large enough hood to pull away from the body to place the piercing.
The Princess Diana (four-six weeks) is a pair of piercings that sit up under the hood with the jewelry resting on the clit. This can be done in conjunction with a Vertical Hood for a visually pleasing look.
Inner and Outer Labia piercings are done for visual reasons and are usually done in pairs or multiples. The Outer Labia takes longer to heal and takes two-three months and is placed anywhere along the “pinchable” rim of the outer lips. Inner Labia piercings heal quicker, takes 4-6 weeks, since the tissue is thin and quick to heal.
The Christina takes three-four months to heal is not very popular due to its healing time and high rejection rate. This vertical piercing goes through the V-shaped junction at the top of the outer labia and is done for visual enjoyment.
The Fourchette takes two-three months to heal is a vertical perineum piercing and requires a pinchable flap or fold of tissue at the back edge of the vagina. If you have this flap, many say this is a very pleasurable piercing.
Genital piercing can help you adorn your body as well as stimulate and arouse. Have fun, but research the piercing you want as well as the piercer you choose to trust. Don’t get set on a specific piercing until you review piercing options with your piercer, since she’ll be able to determine which piercings you’re best built for.
It is imperative to find a properly trained piercer who can evaluate you for what piercings you may be suitable for. Genital piercings take the most daily abuse of any piercing and must be well placed and cared for. Again, be sure to follow the piercer’s instructions for proper cleaning to prevent infection. Remember to practice safer sex with latex or polyurethane, especially during your healing time, and enjoy!