What to Know About Genital Piercings, According to a Pro

Piercings, much like any other beauty trend, can say a lot about a person. If you see someone who only has regular lobe piercings, they may be a bit more minimal. If you spot something more unconventional, like a septril piece, you may deem that person to be more of a risk-taker. Still, there are piercings that you will never see that can be just as bold as some of the more unconventional nose or brow piercings. Yes, we’re talking about genital piercings.

You may think that you don’t know many people who have one, but you might be surprised to learn how popular they are. Whether you’re considering getting one yourself or you’re just curious to know more about them, we spoke to a professional piercer to find out everything there is to know about getting a vagina — which should technically be called a vulva, piercing.

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Elayne Angel is a professional body piercer and the author of “The Piercing Bible: The Definitive Guide to Safe Body Piercing.”

What Are the Different Kinds of Genital Piercings?

There are a number of different piercing placements for the vulva, but the most common piercing according to Angel is the vertical clitoral hood, or VCH, in the tissue above the clitoris. “It should be placed so that the jewelry rests beneath the hood, touching the clitoris, which can add sensation,” Angel tells PS. “Most vulvas are suited to it, the area heals very quickly, and it looks really lovely, too.”

Another popular area is the triangle, which is a horizontal piercing that’s placed beneath the clitoral shaft at the base of the hood. This is Angel’s second-most-requested piercing, but since it’s not a piercing that every vulva has the anatomy for, she frequently has to decline it. Additionally, there’s the Princess Diana piercing, one that’s similar to the VCH except it’s slightly more asymmetrical; piercings on the inner and outer labia; the fourchette, a vertical piercing at the back edge of the vagina; and the Princess Albertina, which is a piercing in the urethra.

Why Do People Get Genital Piercings?

Why anyone gets a vagina piercing depends on who you ask, as the motivation can be different for a lot of people. A common reason is that these piercings can increase sensitivity in the area and improve the sexual experience. “When placed properly with the right jewelry on suited anatomy, piercings really can make a difference,” Angel says. “I’ve had clients who had primary anorgasmia (meaning they’ve never had an orgasm before) who became orgasmic following piercing. That certainly validates my life’s work right there.”

Of course, it’s not always about sex. As Angel mentions in her book, some people also get them as a way to boost their self-esteem or make themselves feel good. “When an individual chooses to modify the appearance of their own genitals by piercing and adorning them with jewelry, it can be highly liberating,” she writes. “For many it inspires harmony with their bodies that could not be achieved through any other means.”

Angel has also had couples request them as a way to add a spark to their relationships, while others have either gotten them simply for the aesthetic or as a confidence booster following breakups, abusive relationships, childbirth, and other life-changing occurrences.

What Are Common Misconceptions About Genital Piercings?

According to Angel, one of the most common misconceptions people have is that these piercings are the most painful. Pain is obviously relative, but the painful narrative is typically proven to be untrue by many of her clients, a number of whom have claimed their piercings in the nose or even the ear area hurt worse.

Another myth that surrounds clitoral piercings is the belief that anyone with a vagina can get them, but it really varies from person to person. “The anatomy varies so much, and each client must be evaluated on an individual basis,” she says. Additionally, there’s the belief that getting a genital piercing makes your clitoris hypersensitive (or not sensitive at all) to touch. Needless to say, that’s not true either.

“Regardless of piercing placement, there is no concern nor hope of becoming a continuous human orgasm machine,” Angel says. “Just walking down the street is not likely to give you a climax; that’s an unrealistic expectation. Also, when piercings are properly placed and handled according to accepted practice, there is no physiological basis for permanent damage to sensation from any of the common piercing placements.”

Are There Any Risks Associated With Getting a Genital Piercing?

The risk of infection comes with getting any piercing, although if the piercing is done properly, you shouldn’t have much of an issue here. The main thing to know is making sure you’re getting pierced by a trained professional.

“They need to know how to properly sterilize equipment in a functioning autoclave, maintain protocols to prevent cross-contamination in the studio, and work using aseptic procedures,” Angel says. “Additionally, the practitioner needs to know exactly where to place the piercing. It is shockingly common that I see accidental — and horribly painful — piercings of the clitoral glans on piercees who have gone to get VCH or triangle piercings.”

A botched piercing can damage nerves in the area or desensitize it, so it’s imperative you make sure your piercer has the proper credentials.

What Does a Genital-Piercing Appointment Normally Look Like?

First things first: a genital piercing isn’t necessarily something you can just get spur of the moment. Many people who offer them often require a consultation beforehand “to be certain that the individual is anatomically suited to the piercing they desire,” Angel says. “And to discuss what they hope to achieve with their piercing, and make certain the chosen placement can fulfill their expectations.”

Once that’s done, the process is much like a doctor’s appointment: upon your arrival, you’ll be asked to show ID and sign a release form. Then you’ll be taken to a private room, where you’ll remove your clothing to prep the area with a surgical scrub. Your piercer might also use a special tool like a clamp or a receiving tube for the piercing, but that depends on the placement. The piercing itself should be relatively quick.

“I’ve had people observe me pierce and say, ‘I was watching, but I missed it,'” Angel says. “The process should be smooth and swift.”

How Should I Clean My Genital Piercing?

The most important thing to remember when cleaning any piercing is to be gentle with yourself and not touch the area with dirty fingers. According to the Association of Professional Piercers, it may not be necessary for you to use soap to cleanse this area; in some cases, running warm water on it in the shower works just fine.

Angel’s favorite product for piercing aftercare is a topical spray called Briotech ($13), which uses hypochlorous acid to reduce inflammation and kill germs. “It is the first piercing-care product that has numerous scientific studies proving its safety and effectiveness for wound healing,” she says. “It kills all known pathogens, but without drying the skin or harming tissue. It can even be used in the eyes, nose, and mouth. All you do is spray it on, so it is very easy to use as well.”

What Activities Are Off-Limits After Getting Pierced?

This goes for any piercing (and even tattoos), but following your appointment, you should avoid swimming or submerging your body in water for long periods of time. “You should not expose a healing piercing to a hot tub, pool, lake, ocean, or any body of water, even if it seems clean,” Angel says. “The chemicals in heavily chlorinated pools could be as damaging as the microorganisms and dirt in natural bodies of water. You’ll probably want to avoid horseback or bicycle riding for a while, too.”

Also, don’t take out your jewelry or try and change it until your piercing has fully healed. If not, you run the risk of it closing back up. “My suggestion is if you like your piercing, leave jewelry in at all times,” Angel says. “Even after years, some piercings will shrink or close in minutes! I do way more re-piercing than I’d like for clients who say, ‘I didn’t think it could close that fast.'”

When Is It Safe to Have Sex Again?

When it’s OK to have sex after getting a genital piercing is up to you, so long as you’re properly following the aftercare instructions. “I often joke that you need to wait until you leave the studio to have sex,” Angel says. “After that, once you feel ready (physically and mentally), it’s up to you, if you’re following my nonnegotiable rules.”

If your piercing feels sore during sex, you should either stop or ease up on what you’re doing. Since it’s still an open wound, you should also be sure to use protection to prevent your piercing from coming in contact with other bodily fluids.

How Long Can I Expect a Genital Piercing to Heal?

That depends on the placement. VCH and inner labia piercings can take as little as four to six weeks to heal, while triangle piercings take up to two to three months. Christina piercings, which are placed on the pubic mound above the vulva, can take a while longer, around six to nine months.

Ariel Baker is the associate editor for PS Beauty. Her areas of expertise include celebrity news, beauty trends, and product reviews. She has additional bylines with Essence and Forbes Vetted.

Danielle Jackson was a former assistant editor for PS Beauty.