Genital Piercings 101 | Aldult Toys Blog

Genital piercings. If you have one (or more), you have your reasons. If not, chances are you’re either filled with wonder and desire at the thought of having one, or you’re a big “No, no!”

Love them or leave them, genital piercings continue to gain popularity across various cultures and demographics. Statista 2017 survey conducted in the United States The study found that 9% of male-identified respondents and 5% of female-identified respondents had genital piercings. These numbers have likely increased since then, as the reasons for getting genital piercings seem to have multiplied with “modernity”; these hyper-intimate piercings have become an act of self-affirmation for people of all backgrounds and experiences.

As with anything, people’s motivations for getting their genitals pierced vary greatly depending on the unique benefit they personally gain from it.

Professional piercer @lynnloheide on TikTok identifies some of these reasonsranging from aesthetic enhancement to sexual pleasure, from cultural expression to gender affirmation, and much more.

Let’s dig deeper, shall we? Here are some of the reasons why people opt for genital piercings:

Empowerment and affirmation

A genital piercing can be very empowering, allowing you to reclaim your body, explore your sexuality on your own terms, and express your unique identity and desires. And, as Loheide points out, gender-affirming genital piercings—especially for trans people—can be a great alternative to butt surgery, creating new sensations and relationships with these body parts, and allowing people to feel more masculine, feminine, or androgynous depending on their desires.

Sexual pleasure

Many people get their genitals pierced for very functional reasons, such as to enhance sexual pleasure or facilitate orgasm. Some people even experience orgasm for the first time thanks to their piercings! Of course, it can do wonders for transforming and improving relationships with yourself and others, not to mention it can also make fetishes or fantasies that were once out of reach a totally achievable reality.

The sexy factor

Genital piercings are also very pretty and sexy. Fact: Many people feel insecure about their genitals and compare themselves to porn stars and the like. But a genital piercing in the right place can make you feel sexier and more connected to your sexual power and prowess.

Body Recovery After Trauma

If you’ve experienced trauma or sexual assault, genital piercings can also be deeply rooted in the body’s recovery and healing. Many survivors appreciate that by transforming themselves in this way, their genital area is no longer associated with their attacker. Many people also appreciate that, while it involves some pain and discomfort, it is inherently consent-based.

Restoring Freedom of Action After Circumcision

Some people were circumcised at birth and wish they hadn’t been: this includes people with penises, as well as people with vulvas who have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM). If you have undergone such procedures, you may experience medical side effects, functional side effects, and ongoing distress due to having been deprived of your bodily freedom. Getting pierced is one way to restore that freedom and bodily connection.

A romantic date

Some couples like to get pierced together, to try something new or spice things up. What better way to celebrate your anniversary, pray tell? Better yet, you have a hand to hold during the procedure. Dare we suggest that matching piercings are the new matching tattoos?

Connecting with Ancestors

Genital piercings have been used for centuries in various cultural and religious rites and rituals, coming-of-age ceremonies, and more. If piercings have cultural, historical, or spiritual significance to you and you are looking to deepen your cultural ties or connect with your ancestors, a genital piercing may be just what the good goddess ordered. You heard it here first.

Types of genital piercings

The most popular types of genital piercings among people with vulvas include:

– Clitoral hood: The clitoral hood piercing penetrates the “hood” of skin that houses the clitoris, but not the clitoris itself. It is a relatively painless piercing with a relatively short healing time, making it a popular choice.

– Lips: Lip piercings can be done on the labia majora or minora (outer or inner labia). Inner labia piercings are preferred because they heal faster, are less prone to friction, and are less likely to be rejected than outer labia piercings.

– Venus : The Venus piercing has only been around since the 1990s. The name Venus comes from the fact that it is a piercing of the My Venus, the area where the tops of the outer labia meet. To counteract the risk of rejection, a custom barbell or surface barbell is usually the ideal solution for this piercing.

Meanwhile, the most popular types of genital piercings among people with penises include:

– Prince Albert/Prince Albert reversed

– Little

– Apadravya and Ampallang

– Yesterday

– Scrotum

– Counter

Explore them in more depth here!

Post-Piercing Preparation and Care

Before When choosing a genital piercing, always do your research and determine what type of piercing is best suited to your anatomy, as well as what type you want.

After If you get a piercing, you will need to follow the cleaning and care instructions given to you exactly. If you are ever unsure about your healing process or have any questions, never hesitate to contact your piercer. Whatever your issue, chances are they have already encountered it!

For more detailed information, Lynn Loheide (the ultimate piercing expert!) also has a super informative blog outlining what to expect in terms of preparation, day-of considerations, excitement considerations, and aftercare protocols.

May your journey into genital body art bring you embodied pleasure, enhanced self-expression, and sensual discovery! <3