Enlarged Clitoris: Symptoms And Causes - Medical News Today

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Medical News TodaySubscribeWhat causes an enlarged clitoris?

Medically reviewed by Stacy A. Henigsman, DO — Written by Jennifer Berry — Updated on July 2, 2024

Arousal
Inflammation
Skin conditions
Hormonal conditions
Genetic conditions
Intersex
Contacting a doctor
Summary

The clitoris can naturally vary in size among different people. It can also temporarily get bigger during arousal. As a result, a slightly enlarged clitoris is often not cause for concern.

A clitoris that is significantly larger than usual is known as clitoromegaly or macroclitoris. This can develop for several reasons.

An enlarged clitoris may occur due to an underlying medical condition or simply a difference in the way the body has developed. A larger clitoris can develop over time or may be present from birth.

Keep reading to learn more about the causes of a large clitoris in adults and children.

A note about sex and gender

Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Learn more.

Sexual excitement

Bare legs tangled together on bedsheets. — BDLM/Getty Images

The clitoris swells temporarily in response to sexual arousal. During arousal, more blood flows to the genitals, so the clitoris can appear larger.

If this is the cause, the clitoris should return to its usual size after arousal.

Inflammation

An enlarged clitoris can be due to inflammation. This is known as vulvitis, which describes inflammation of the vulva.

The causes of vulvitis include:

an allergic reaction to a product such as a laundry detergent, soap, moisturizer, or lubricant
an infection, such as a yeast infection or a sexually transmitted infection
excessive friction during sex or masturbation
recent injury or surgery

Treatment for vulvitis depends on the cause. For example, if the cause is friction or an injury, allowing the area to heal may be all that is required.

However, this may be more challenging in young children. Masturbation is common and typical in people of all ages, including children, but can result in thickened skin if a person damages the area repeatedly. Parents and caregivers may need to speak with a pediatrician about ways to prevent this.

If a person suspects that an allergic reaction is causing vulvitis, they should avoid contact with any products that might be responsible. A doctor can advise on the best treatment if there are signs of infection, bleeding, or other symptoms.

Skin conditions

Sometimes, growths on the skin may occur on or around the clitoris, causing it to look larger than usual. This may occur due to:

cysts
birthmarks, such as hemangiomas
noncancerous tumors, such as fibromas
cancerous growths

Cysts and many birthmarks can disappear on their own, although it may take time. However, it is still important for a doctor to examine the growth to ensure it is nothing more serious.

If the growth is uncomfortable, bothersome, or interferes with sex, a doctor may suggest surgery to remove it.

Hormone imbalances

Every person has a mixture of both female and male sex hormones. Male sex hormones, also known as androgens, can cause the clitoris to get larger in females.

Below are some conditions that may cause a female to have higher-than-usual amounts of androgen hormones.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a fairly common condition that causes excess androgens in the body. This can lead to a larger clitoris, as well as:

irregular periods
excess face and body hair
acne or oily skin
unexplained weight gain
fertility problems

Lifestyle changes and medications can help manage PCOS.

Anabolic steroid misuse

Some females use anabolic steroids to build muscle and boost athletic endurance. However, this can lead to serious and sometimes permanent bodily changes, including:

a larger clitoris
excess facial hair
a deeper voice
acne
serious health conditions that can affect the heart, liver, and kidneys

Avoiding anabolic steroids prevents these symptoms, but for those already using them, a doctor can provide information on safely tapering off them and managing the effects.

Adrenal gland tumors or growths

The adrenal glands secrete hormones. If a growth forms on these glands, they may not function properly. In this event, a person may develop a hormonal imbalance that leads to an enlarged clitoris.

A person may also experience other hormone-related symptoms, such as:

weight gain
menstrual changes
hair growth

Treatment for adrenal gland tumors depends on many factors, such as the size and location. If it is large enough, doctors may remove it via surgery.

If the tumor is cancerous, treatment may also include radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)

CAH is a group of rare genetic disorders that affect the adrenal glands.

The adrenal glands usually make several different hormones, but people with CAH cannot make one or more of them. This results in the overproduction of other hormones, which could include androgens.

Treatment of CAH varies depending on the symptoms and their severity. Some people do not need any treatment, while others may take medications.

Nonhormonal genetic conditions

Rarely, an enlarged clitoris can occur as part of a genetic condition unrelated to sex hormones. These include:

Fraser syndrome
Donohue syndrome
Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome
Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome
Russell-Silver syndrome
Apert syndrome
Seckel syndrome

Differences in sexual development

Sometimes, an enlarged clitoris is not the result of a medical condition or temporary state. It can also be a natural variation in the way humans develop.

Most people have biological traits that doctors categorize into either “male” or “female.” These traits include reproductive organs, chromosomes, and hormones.

However, not everyone has biological traits that fit neatly into these categories. Around 1% to 2% of the population are intersex, meaning they are born with a mixture of traits from each category.

There are many ways this can manifest itself, but one possibility is a child being born with a larger clitoris than is typical for females or a small penis in addition to a vulva. This usually does not cause any harm to the child and, therefore, does not require treatment.

Some doctors routinely perform surgeries on intersex children so that their bodies match their assigned sex at birth, but activists are increasingly campaigning to prevent this.

Instead, some people advocate for allowing children to decide whether they want surgeries when they are old enough to decide for themselves.

Learn more about what it means to be intersex.

When to contact a doctor

Anyone who is concerned about the appearance or health of their genitals, or that of their child’s, can speak with a doctor for advice.

Always speak with a medical professional if a person has:

clitoral swelling that does not resolve on its own
pain or soreness
itchiness
atypical bleeding
changes in vaginal discharge
pain during urination
blisters on or around the vulva
a growth that continues getting bigger or changes color

Summary

The clitoris can vary in shape and size. However, certain things can cause it to get bigger than usual. This can include temporary causes, such as arousal or inflammation. It can also be due to some medical conditions.

On some occasions, a person may have a larger clitoris than usual due to differences in sexual development. This is a natural occurrence and does not necessarily need any intervention. Children with these differences may decide to undergo surgery when they are older, but some do not.

Anyone with questions or concerns about the size of the clitoris can speak confidentially with a medical professional to rule out any serious causes and to gain reassurance.

Pediatrics / Children's Health
Sexual Health / STDs
Women's Health / Gynecology
LGBTQIA+

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today 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.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia. (2023).https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/congenital-adrenal-hyperplasia/
Havnes IA, et al. (2021). Anabolic-androgenic steroid use among women – A qualitative study on experiences of masculinizing, gonadal and sexual effects.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0955395920302164?via%3Dihub
Iezzi ML, et al. (2018). Clitoromegaly in childhood and adolescence: Behind one clinical sign, a clinical sea.https://karger.com/sxd/article/12/4/163/296239/Clitoromegaly-in-Childhood-and-Adolescence-Behind
Koneru A, et al. (2019). Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and sexual dysfunctions.https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2631831819861471
What's intersex? (n.d.).https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/gender-identity/sex-gender-identity/whats-intersex

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Medically reviewed by Stacy A. Henigsman, DO — Written by Jennifer Berry — Updated on July 2, 2024

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