Clitoral Hood: Size, Appearance, And Effect On Orgasm - Healthline

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Sexual Health

Everything You Should Know About Your Clitoral Hood

Medically reviewed by Tahirah Redhead MPAS, PA-C, MPH — Written by Adrienne Santos-Longhurst — Updated on June 4, 2024

Location
Function
Retraction
Pulling it back
Size and orgasm
Hood piercings
Tips for stimulation
Reduction
Takeaway

The clitoral hood is a fold of skin that surrounds and protects the glans clitoris. The glans get all the glory when it comes to sexual pleasure, but there’s a lot more to the clitoris than just the bud.

Let’s cut to the chase. If you’ve ever used a hand mirror to get an up-close look at yourself down there, then you’ve probably wondered about that flap of skin above your labia.

That flap is your clitoral hood, a fold of skin that surrounds and protects your glans clitoris. It’s basically the female equivalent of the male foreskin. And just like labia, clitoral hoods come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.

Many women worry that their hood doesn’t look “normal,” but there really is no normal. Take a look at these pictures of different clitoral hoods to get a sense of how varied they can really be.

How to find your clitoral hood

illustration of three different vulvas — Illustration by Ruth Basagoitia

The best way to understand what the clitoral hood does begins with knowing exactly where to find it. The glans clitoris sits inside the outer and inner labia. You’ll find the clitoral hood at the very top of your inner labia.

Wanna get a closer look? Here’s how to find your clitoral hood:

Get a hand mirror and get naked from the waist down.
Sit on a chair or the end of your bed and open your legs, putting one foot up on the chair or bed.
Hold the mirror between your legs and angle it so you can see your vulva.
Use your free hand to pull your outer and inner lips apart.
Look at the very top of your “slit,” and you’ll see a flap of skin that’s connected to your inner lips.

Pro tip: Arousal will cause your clitoris to swell, which should make it — and your hood — easier to find.

What does the clitoral hood do?

Your clitoris contains over 15,000 nerve endings. Imagine all those nerve endings constantly rubbing against the fabric of your clothing all day and night — ouch!

The clitoral hood exists to protect this sensitive tissue from excessive stimulation and external irritants.

Glands in your clitoral hood also produce a lubricant called sebum. This helps your hood move smoothly over the glans and shaft of your clitoris.

Does the clitoral hood retract on its own?

Yes, it does. When you become sexually aroused, your glans clitoris engorges, just like a penis. This swelling is usually enough to move your hood aside, exposing your glans.

If your hood is larger, it may not retract as easily. This is usually a sign of clitoral adhesions. Adhesions form when bacteria, skin cells, and sebum build up under the hood.

If left untreated, adhesions can cause extreme pain and interfere with sexual pleasure and orgasm.

Washing more diligently can resolve or prevent clitoral adhesions. If you’re experiencing discomfort, try soaking in a warm bath and washing the area more frequently.

If that doesn’t work, talk with a healthcare professional. They can examine your skin more closely and remove any adhesions.

Can you pull the clitoral hood back yourself?

Generally, yes! Your hood is connected to your inner labia. If you place your fingers at the top of your lips and pull the skin up, you should be able to retract the hood enough to expose the glans clitoris.

You can also place a finger on each inner lip and spread them apart while gently pulling up toward your navel.

Does the size affect your ability to have a clitoral orgasm?

Maybe. Having a hood with more or thicker tissue may affect sensation, but manually retracting your hood or experimenting with different positions can remedy that.

Sometimes, applying more pressure when you stimulate your clitoris over your hood may be all you need to up your pleasure.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to what you’re comfortable with. Some people actually prefer stimulation over the hood and find direct clitoral stimulation to be a little too intense.

Can piercing the hood increase sexual pleasure?

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Illustration by Ruth Basagoitia

According to a 2005 study, vertical clitoral hood piercings don’t have much impact on orgasm and pleasure. But they do seem to increase sexual desire and frequency of arousal.

It isn’t clear whether these findings apply to other clitoral piercings, such as the horizontal clitoral hood and clitoral glans piercings.

If and how a clitoral hood piercing affects your sex life comes down to you. Personal preference, hood size and shape, and level of sensitivity vary from person to person.

Tips for clitoral hood stimulation

With the right moves, you can get the pleasure you crave and use your hood — no matter the shape or size — to your advantage. Here’s how:

Use lube: It doesn’t matter if you’re solo or with a partner — lubricant is always a good idea. Even if you feel like you’re wet enough, adding a little lube can increase your pleasure and stop potential discomfort in its tracks.

Let your fingers do the walking: Exploring with your fingers is the best way to learn how to get the most pleasure. Try rubbing your clitoris over the hood and then rubbing it directly by using one hand to pull your hood back and expose your glans. Experiment with different amounts of pressure and strokes to see what works for you.

Try the “hand job” technique: One way to get some major enjoyment from your hood is to take it between your index and middle finger and slide it up and down.

Use a sex toy: Vibrators are a great way to stimulate your clitoris and can be especially helpful if you have a thicker hood that interferes with sensation.

Find the right position: Though penetrative vaginal sex on its own isn’t as likely to get you to orgasm as clitoral stimulation, certain positions may give you the best of both worlds.

Consider the “riding high” position: Lie on your back to try this. Your partner should angle their penis or dildo so that the upper shaft rubs against your clitoris as they thrust. When done properly, each thrust will slide your hood up and down or provide enough pressure over the hood to stimulate your clitoris.

Is clitoral reduction possible?

For people who have excess tissue overhanging the clitoris that causes increased yeast infections, discomfort during sex, or decreased sexual sensitivity, there’s a procedure called a clitoral hood reduction.

This surgical procedure, also called a hoodectomy or clitoral unhooding, is used to reduce the size of the clitoral hood by removing excess tissue. It’s usually performed alongside a labiaplasty.

Recovery time varies from person to person. You can expect some pain and discomfort while you heal.

If you’re interested in a hoodectomy or other procedure, consult with a healthcare professional. They can answer any questions you have, discuss potential risks, and potentially refer you to a reputable surgeon in your area.

Female genital cosmetic surgery, when performed by a competent and certified plastic surgeon, has low complication rates and high patient satisfaction.

The bottom line

If you’re uncomfortable with the size of your clitoral hood — or feel that it’s affecting your ability to experience sexual pleasure — consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

They can discuss your concerns and answer any questions you may have about sensation, pleasure, and cosmetic surgery.

Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a Canada-based freelance writer and author who has written extensively on all things health and lifestyle for more than a decade. When she’s not holed-up in her writing shed researching an article or off interviewing health professionals, she can be found frolicking around her beach town with husband and dogs in tow or splashing about the lake trying to master the stand-up paddle board.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Hunter JG. (2016). Labia minora, labia majora, and clitoral hood alteration: Experience-based recommendations.https://academic.oup.com/asj/article/36/1/71/2613971
Millner VS, et al. (2005). First glimpse of the functional benefits of clitoral hood piercings.https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(05)00448-5/abstract
Puals RS. (2015). Anatomy of the clitoris and the female sexual response.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25727497/
What is a clitoral hood reduction? (n.d.).https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/aesthetic-genital-plastic-surgery/clitoral-hood-reduction

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Medically reviewed by Tahirah Redhead MPAS, PA-C, MPH — Written by Adrienne Santos-Longhurst — Updated on June 4, 2024

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