What Size Clitoris Is Normal?

Just a Tad Bigger?

If you’re one of many women taking testosterone to improve energy and libido, increase bone mass, abate hot flashes and promote vaginal moisture, you may have discovered an increase in the size of your clitoral glans. You may have been marginally aware of a gradual change, or perhaps you noticed it all at once.

Such a discovery could take you aback. You’d likely grab a mirror to investigate more closely (several times) before reaching the indisputable conclusion that your clitoris is decidedly more robust than before.

What’s Normal, Anyway?

The medical term for an enlargement of the clitoral tissue is called clitoromegaly. This completely benign “condition” is in no way detrimental to your health. Some women may be happy about developing a larger pleasure target. So varied are normal sizes that yours may be the size of a grain of rice, a pea or pencil eraser, or considerably larger (large enough to resemble a tiny penis).

For some women, bigger is better. For others, enough is enough. And, an oversized clitoris can make some uncomfortable with their new lower landscape. Besides appearance, discomfort from friction against clothing may be cause for complaint.

If you’re unhappy with your new “normal”, it’s good to know that you’re not alone and that there is a solution. Austin urogynecologist, Dr. George Shashoua and the staff at ALVR can help with many seldom talked-about concerns.

Put Things Back

You may need to have your testosterone dose adjusted. Especially if it appears that your clitoris jumped on board with your New Year’s resolution to go to the gym, and “pumped up” accordingly. (However, some women will have this presentation even with proper dosing). For women who want to put things back, there is a procedure that can lift and reduce the exposure of the clitoris making it less noticeable:

Clitoropexy and/or Clitoral Hood Reduction (also known as “hoodectomy” or “clitoral unhooding”) are carefully choreographed surgical procedures to lessen the protrusion of the clitoris’s erectile tissue and reduce or readjust its little cover (hood). It is important to note that during these procedures, we do not harm or damage the clitoris or its sensory capacity in any way.

The clitoris has about twice as many nerve endings as the penis and it’s the only human organ that exists solely for pleasure. The portion of the clitoris you’ve come to know (the glans) is just the tip of a much larger internal structure that closely resembles a wishbone. From the tip of the glans to the end of one crus, it’s about 4 inches in length. We have bulbs, vestibules…. and more!

Image from Science Direct

See a picture of a 3-D model and read more about the clitoris’s internal structure, here.

The Procedure – What to Expect With Clitoropexy

If your newly emboldened clitoris sticks out more than you prefer, Dr. Shashoua can perform a clitoropexy. He will make a tiny incision that allows him to “lift” the clitoris, repositioning it in such a way that it protrudes much less.

Clitoral hood reduction is typically combined with clitoropexy to eliminate any excess tissue that remains after the lifting of the clitoris itself. And, sometimes to reduce the length or width of the hood. Extreme care is taken with hood reduction so that the clitoris does not become overexposed.

These procedures are performed in our outpatient suite in about an hour, under a combination of local and oral anesthetic. We advise that patients take a week off work for initial healing, and return for follow-ups at two, six, and twelve weeks.

Once any swelling subsides (and even before) you’ll notice that your friend better resembles the little rower you were used to. Now, the two of you can paddle off happily into the sunset…

If you have concerns about your labia, like rubbing due to lips that are on the larger side, or aesthetic concerns, you may wish to consider labiaplasty. Many women who undergo labiaplasty have clitoral hood reduction (and/or clitoropexy) at the same time. The combined surgeries will take a bit longer, but being able to have them concurrently presents a number of advantages including a single recovery period.

The labiaplasty photos here are of patients who have also had clitoral hood reduction. As with nearly all ALVR surgeries, labiaplasty procedures are also done in our Austin outpatient location.

(Note that some women who have never taken testosterone may seek surgery for the very same issues. And, not all who take testosterone will develop them).

What Now?

Dr. Shashoua is a leading board certified Austin urogynecologist who specializes in female cosmetic genital surgery at ALVR (Austin Labiaplasty & Vaginal Rejuvenation). He is well-known and trusted for his hundreds of successful labiaplasty procedures in Austin, with patients traveling from Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, and beyond. In addition to surgical vaginal rejuvenation, removal of hymenal tags, and non-surgical interventions.

He is also a specialist in pelvic floor reconstruction surgery at Austin Urogynecology where he addresses a wide range of symptoms and conditions.

If you’ve decided that in the context of “growers and showers” you’d rather avoid the latter category, we welcome you for a consultation to see if you are a potential candidate for clitoropexy.

Just like vaginas, no two women are alike. We will treat you like the unique individual you are while doing our best to answer your questions (maybe even some you didn’t know you had).