VCH Piercing: Aesthetic, Benefits, and How It’s Done

VCH Piercing: Aesthetic, Benefits, and How It’s Done. Just as the name implies, a vertical clit hood piercing (VCH) is a piercing that runs vertically along the clitoral hood. The hood is the thin fold of skin that sits over your glans clitoris — that tiny nub o’ pleasure at the top of your vulva, between your labia.

Are there sexual benefits?

Yup!

The sexual benefits are the driving force behind most people’s decision to get a VCH piercing.

People with this type of clit piercing report all kinds of pleasure perks from it, and there’s research to back it up.

For your benefit

Like jewelry for any other part of your body, dressing up your clit with some bling can boost your self-image — your sexual and genital self-image, that is.A study published in 2019 linked being happy with the look of your genitals to increased sexual enjoyment and sexual functioning and a more positive overall body image. So there’s that.

Looks aside, a piercing sandwiched between the clit hood and the glans enhances clitoral stimulation through direct contact.Given that most people with a vulva need clit stimulation to orgasm, this is a very good thing.

The consensus among VCH-havers is that the piercing enhances pleasure from pretty much every sex act, from masturbating (solo or mutual) and dry humping to oral sex and vaginal penetration.VCH-ers also say that it elevates previously “boring” sex positions to orgasmic levels.

Many even report getting off on nonsexual acts like dancing or crossing their legs.

For your partner’s benefit

VCH Piercing: Aesthetic, Benefits, and How It’s Done. Let’s face it: A person who owns their sexuality and is confident is the bee’s knees for most. And being with someone experiencing sheet-twisting pleasure is a huge turn-on that’ll inevitably rub off on all involved.

Then there’s the aesthetic, which for some partners is enough to evoke some pretty major arousal.

As for physical benefits for your partner, it depends on the position and what your partner’s packing between their legs. For instance, scissoring or any other vulva-on-vulva action can enhance clit stimulation for both of you.

Can anyone get one?

Most people with vulvas are anatomically suited for a VCH. You need to have a deep enough hood and not too much pressure coming from your pubic mound, which can happen if you have excess fat or sagging in the area.

Your piercer will do a suitability check to make sure a VCH will work for you anyway, but you can check yourself beforehand by sliding a lubricated cotton swab under your hood. If most of the cotton end fits underneath, congrats, you passed the cotton swab test and have enough depth!

If only part of the cotton tip fits under your hood, a VCH may not work for you. Again, a piercer can check and let you know for sure. Finally, if you have a hypersensitive clit, you may want to reconsider a VCH. As nice as clit stim is, it can be a bit much for some.

Why Do People Get Their Genitals Pierced?

Most people get piercings to show off their jewelry or because they simply like the way it looks. But when it comes to pierced female genitals, there can also be other reasons. One of the main reasons people go for vaginal piercing is sexual enhancement. Some who’ve been pierced “down there” say it helped them reach their first orgasm. Others say their vaginal piercing makes them feel adventurous, exciting, or naughty.

Some people who’ve been victims of trauma, such as sexual abuse or assault, get piercings as a way to symbolically reclaim control over their bodies.

Types of Vaginal Piercing

Here are some of the types of piercings that can be done on the vaginal area:

Vertical clitoral hood (VCH) piercing. The most popular type of vaginal piercing, clitoral hood piercing is thought to stimulate the sensitive clitoral tissue during sex. Piercing the hood (the fold of skin that covers the clitoris) is much less risky than an actual clitoris piercing, which could lead to nerve damage. A VCH piercing passes vertically through the clitoral hood above the clitoris.

Horizontal clitoris hood (HCH) piercing. This piercing is placed horizontally across the clitoral hood. It may not be right for you if you have a smaller clitoris.

Princess Diana piercing. This isa type of VCH piercing that’s done on one or both sides of the clitoral hood instead of in the middle. Some people get one piercing in the middle of the hood along with one on each side. You might also hear this called a Duke piercing.

Triangle piercing. It’s similar to the HCH but is done at the base of the clitoral hood, under the clitoris. It enhances sexual sensation but requires the right anatomy and a very experienced body piercer.

Outer labia piercing. The tissue of the labia (vaginal lips) is thick enough to accommodate more than one piece of jewelry or heavier jewelry. Outer labia piercings are done on the outside set of labia. They can be placed horizontally or vertically.

Inner labia piercing. You can get one or more piercing sin various locations along the inner lips of the vagina. Placing it near the clitoris may boost sexual sensations. Christina piercing. This ornamental piercing is done in the area where the outer labia meet (below the pubic mound).

Fourchette piercing. This piercing is done in the tissue between the lower opening of the vagina and the anus. It may cause discomfort during penetrative sex since the jewelry can get pulled into the vagina.

Princess Albertina piercing. The female counterpart to the “Prince Albert” piercing in males is rarely done because it’s very difficult to perform. The piercing goes through the urethra (the opening where pee comes out) and the top of the vagina. (The Prince Albert piercing goes through the urethra and comes out on the underside of the penis.)

Keep in mind that not everyone has the right anatomy for vaginal piercings. Many people don’t have a clitoris large enough to accommodate a clitoral hood piercing. And you need to have enough skin in the inner and outer labia if you want to pierce in those areas.

How Is Vaginal Piercing Done?

First, the skin around the area is cleaned with an antiseptic. This is important because you can end up with a serious infection if the area isn’t thoroughly cleaned. Then, a 12- to 16-gauge hollow needle is passed through the skin. Your piercer then inserts a piece of jewelry. For certain piercings, they might use clamps to hold the labia in place while they do the piercing.

The biggest question with genital piercings is — “Do they hurt?” That really depends on your pain tolerance level. You might think that if you pierce some of the most sensitive tissues in your body, the pain would be very intense. Yet the procedure is very quick, and some people who perform — and get — genital piercings say it doesn’t hurt any more than piercing other parts of the body.

Are There Any Risks to Vaginal Piercings?

Any time you create an opening in the body, there’s a chance of infection. Going to a questionable piercing shop can put you at risk for blood-borne infections such as tetanus, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.

Sometimes, vaginal piercings can lead to:

• Pain
• Bleeding
• Scar tissue (keloids)
• Skin infections
• An allergic reactionto metal in the jewelry
• Blood flow problems, if you have a triangle piercing
• Tearing at the piercing site
• Unwanted pregnancy or exposure to STDs if you wear jewelry that can snag a condom

To reduce your risks:

• Do your research and choose a reputable shop. Not all states have laws regulating piercings.
• Look for a body piercer who is a member of the Association of Professional Piercers (APP), which means they have at least one year of piercing experience, as well as training in anti-infection and first-aid techniques. Ideally, they’ll specialize in genital piercing. The piercer should check your ID, clean the genital area thoroughly with antiseptic, wear gloves, and use a new sterilized needle.
• Choose stainless steel, niobium, or titanium jewelry to prevent an infection or allergic reaction.

For your partner’s benefit

Any glans or clitoral hood piercing can enhance pleasure for your partner by also creating slight stimulation against their genitals, depending on the position. Plus, your partner may also gain a sense of arousal from stimulating your genital piercing digitally or orally.

Just seeing your piercings may even elicit extra arousal in your partner. The Christina and the HCH are typically meant for aesthetic purposes because neither of these piercings bump against your clit. However, the Christina may be a fun source of clit stim for a partner during vulva-on-vulva action.

Can everyone get it?

Your nose is different from the next person’s, and so is your vulva. That’s why some piercings may not work on certain glans or hood shapes or sizes.

Get an evaluation from a reputable piercer to determine if you’re a candidate for a particular piercing. Here are a few things to consider.

The glans piercing is rare

You may be hard-pressed to find a piercer willing to perform a glans piercing, unless you’ve had previous genital piercings without issues, according to the Association of Professional Piercers (APP).

Plus, most people don’t have a clitoris that’s large enough to accommodate this type of piercing. And even if you do, your hood and other surrounding tissue may be too tight for fitting the jewelry within, according to The Axiom Body Piercing Studio.

Other piercings may be a better choice

Most clitoral hoods are deep enough to hold a VCH piercing. But if you have prominent labia majora, or outer lips, this may make an HCA piercing uncomfortable.

Your piercer should make sure there’s room

Your studio should perform the Q-tip test before doing any type of glans or hood piercing. A sterile cotton tip is inserted underneath the hood to ensure there’s enough space for the procedure and that the jewelry can be positioned comfortably.