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.
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
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.
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.
Curved barbells are the most commonly used jewelry for VCH piercings because they follow the shape of your clit. This allows them to rest comfortably, tucked away and protected from irritation while you go about your daily business.
Straight barbells and beaded rings are other options.
There are loads of options available, but you should stick to jewelry made materials recommended by the Association of Professional Piercers (APP).
They recommend solid 14-karat gold or higher, as well as implant-grade metals approved by the ASTM International or International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
- Stainless steel. This is the most common choice because it’s affordable and safe for most, including those with a nickel allergy. It’s not completely nickel-free, but it has a low rate of release that’s usually not a problem unless your allergy is severe. Look for pieces that are ASTM-F138 or ISO-5832-1 compliant.
- Titanium. Titanium’s more expensive than stainless steel, but it’s hypoallergenic and nickel-free. Look for ASTM-F136 or ISO 5832-3 compliant titanium jewelry.
- Solid 14-karat gold or higher. There are a few perks to going gold. It’s safe for most people, and you get to choose from yellow, white, or rose gold. Just be sure to avoid gold-plated jewelry, as the plating can flake and expose you to other alloys underneath, including nickel.
VCHs and other genital piercings generally cost between $50 and $100 just for the service. This can go way up, though, depending on the studio and your location.
Other costs to keep in mind:
- Jewelry. Jewelry isn’t usually included and can cost around $20 to $60, depending on the material you choose.
- Evaluation. A reputable piercer will perform an evaluation before any type of genital piercing to check suitability. Some apply the consultation fee to the cost of your piercing.
- Tip. If you’re happy with the service, a tip of 20 percent is customary.
Here’s what to expect when you go in for a VCH piercing:
- Paperwork and evaluation. You’ll be asked to show your ID and to fill out some paperwork, including a waiver. If you haven’t already had one, your piercer will perform suitability evaluation to make sure that you’re a good candidate for the piercing and the jewelry you want.
- Disinfecting. Your piercer will clean the area using surgical scrub.
- Marking. Your piercer will mark the spot for the piercing and get your approval.
- Piercing. The piercer will slide a needle-receiving tube underneath your hood and hold the skin up to push the needle through the mark. They’ll insert the jewelry right after.
- Cleanup. Your piercer will stop any bleeding and clean the piercing. Yes, there’s going to some bleeding, but nothing major. Wearing a panty-liner is a good idea if you want to protect your underwear.
You’re piercing your genitals, so yeah, it’s going to hurt, but how much it hurts is different for everyone.
The tissue is so thin that the VCH is one of the least painful genital piercings you can get. Also, the piercing pain only lasts a second.
Making sure you’re well rested and relaxed can help you feel less pain.
The risk of infection or injury with a VCH is low but still possible, along with other risks associated with any body piercing.
These include:
- Allergic reaction. You could have an allergic reaction to nickel or other metals. This is why using implant-grade or 14-karat gold or higher is important.
- Infection. A fresh piercing is an open wound and therefore vulnerable to infection if you’re not careful. Blood-borne infections, like tetanus, HIV, and hepatitis B and C, are also possible if unclean needles are used. Sterile equipment, a reputable piercer, and proper aftercare can prevent infection.
- Tearing. Ouch, right? Tearing is a possibility if a piercing gets caught on something (don’t underestimate the power of a ball of toilet paper!) or if you or your partner is too rough with it.
- Embedding. Skin can grow over jewelry that’s too short.
- Rejection. A piercing rejection occurs when your body treats the jewelry as a foreign object and tries to push it out. At first you may notice your piercing getting closer to the surface of your skin. Eventually your skin can begin to thin and even open.
- Botched piercing. Yup, it can happen, which is why we can’t stress enough the importance of finding an experienced and reputable piercer. You could end up with a poorly placed piercing or even the wrong part of your clit pierced, like your glans instead of your hood.
No two hoods are exactly alike, but VCH piercings generally heal completely within 4 to 8 weeks.
Healing time depends on how much tissue you have, the shape of your clit and hood, and how diligent you are with your aftercare.
Some basic common sense will go a long way in caring for your piercing. For instance, riding a bike, horse, or anything (anyone) else immediately after getting a VCH isn’t recommended.
That said, you can get back in the saddle — yes, that includes sex — as soon as you feel comfortable. Let your clit guide you and believe you me, it will.
Here are some more aftercare do’s and don’ts to help you during the healing process.
While healing, do the following:
- Be careful with your piercing.
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water before touching the piercing.
- Spray or soak the piercing with saline solution, including after sex.
- Shower daily.
- Gently pat dry with a clean towel or paper towel.
- Use barrier protection with a partner or sex toy.
- If you use lube, make it water-based.
- Change out of sweaty or wet clothes right away.
- Leave your jewelry in at all times.
While healing, follow these don’ts:
- Don’t play with your piercing or let anyone else play with it.
- Don’t allow your partner’s mouth or bodily fluids to make contact with it.
- Don’t have sex without barrier methods.
- Don’t touch it with unwashed hands — yours or anyone else’s.
- Don’t use harsh soaps or hygiene when washing down there.
- Don’t go in pools, hot tubs, lakes, or any other body of water until fully healed.
- Don’t wear clothing that irritates your piercing.
- Don’t remove your jewelry.
Even though the risk of infection and other complications are low with a VCH piercing, it’s still important to know how to spot a problem.
Signs to look out for:
- increasing pain, swelling, or redness around the piercing
- bleeding that doesn’t stop
- skin that’s hot to the touch
- foul-smelling discharge or pus
- flu-like symptoms, such as fever and body aches
Don’t remove your jewelry, even if you suspect something’s wrong. Doing so can cause the hole to close and seal in an infection. Instead, see your piercer or healthcare provider right away.
Once you’re fully healed, see your piercer to change the jewelry for you. While you might be able to do it on your own eventually, it’s best to have a pro show you the right technique the first time you do a swap.
Clit hood piercings tend to shrink and close quickly.
If you’re sure you want to retire your piercing, simply remove the jewelry (or have your piercer do it). Just make sure to do it after it’s fully healed.
If you’re ready to get pierced, finding a reputable piercer with experience in genital piercings is a must.
You can find one in your area through the APP.
Once you’ve narrowed down your choice, book a consultation so you can check out the studio in person and ask your prospective piercer questions.
Be sure to:
- check for cleanliness and ask about their sterilization process
- discuss any concerns you have
- get an evaluation to make sure you’re a good candidate for a VCH
Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a Canada-based freelance writer and author who has written extensively on all things health and lifestyle for more than a decade. When she’s not holed-up in her writing shed researching an article or off interviewing health professionals, she can be found frolicking around her beach town with husband and dogs in tow or splashing about the lake trying to master the stand-up paddle board.