Clitoral Erection
Clitoral Erection and Stimulation
A clitoral erection is when a woman’s clitoris becomes swollen and rigid. Technically, it is a combination of neural, endocrine, psychological, and vascular aspects. For most cases, a clitoral erection occurs due to sexual arousal, but can be the result of other factors as well. For some women, everyday activities such as walking or even simply thinking sexual thoughts may be enough to begin clitoral stimulation and produce an erection.
The resulting process happens when the corpora cavernosa are filled with blood, similar to the way a man’s penis fills with blood when he mes sexually aroused. The glans clitoridis is extruded and this process causes the skin to be pulled taut, thus further exposing the clitoris. Because of the added exposure, the clitoris is then more sensitive to external touching and pressure. If a woman reaches the point of climax, the clitoral erection generally subsides although this can take an extended period of time to occur.
Depending on the specific contours of a woman’s body, the shape and size of a clitoral erection may differ from woman to woman, varying from a small button-like appearance to a protruding clitoris that can resemble a man’s penis. While there are many different possibilities, the way a woman’s clitoris becomes erect does not usually change over the course of her life. In some cases, the clitoris is small enough to be hidden from plain view.
The clitoris is the most sensitive erogenous area on a woman’s body. It is located above the vagina and urethra close to the anterior junction of the labia minora. It is protected by a small piece of skin tissue known as the clitoral hood. During a clitoral erection, this hood is moved back as the clitoris becomes enlarged. At the outermost end of the clitoris is an accumulation of nerves that is called the clitoral glans. This area is susceptible to stimulation as it contains 8,000 nerve endings.
There are problems that can arise with a clitoral erection. Clitoral priapism is the condition in which the clitoris either becomes swollen or an erection chronically recurs or persists. It can be very painful for a woman as the clitoris is in a more exposed state and the heightened sensitivity may be aggravated by the contact of clothing or other causes of friction. A local doctor’s assistance may be needed to treat the condition if it does not go away within a reasonable time period.
As previously mentioned, an erection of the clitoris most commonly happens due to sexual arousal. Intimate contact can provide the necessary physical and psychological conditions that are required for an erection to be present. Continued clitoral stimulation may lead to an orgasm by the woman at which point the clitoral erection will normally subside.