Because most of the clitoris is inside the body, we don’t really see clitoral erections -but they happen! When the clitoris is aroused, blood rushes to the erectile tissue that makes up the clitoris (the same tissue as in a penis), causing it to become engorged. This is a clitoral erection!
All this increased blood flow means that the labia can increase in size, alongside the clitoral glans and the rest of the clitoris that you can’t see. The clitoral hood might pull back, exposing the engorged glans. It might turn a darker pink or red too with all that blood flow!
Some people find direct stimulation with the clitoral hood or glans too much as they are so sensitive. Luckily, the clitoris can also be stimulated through the labia, around the urethra or around the base of the vagina!
Fun fact: part of your conscious brain turns off when you are having an orgasm!
Note: While getting a clitoral erection is a normal and healthy response to being aroused, it isn’t something that should be happening in the absence of sexual stimulation.
If it does, it may be a sign of persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD) or priapism which is a condition that can result in people being aroused and having a clitoral erection even when there isn’t any physical, visual, aural, or other sexual stimulation happening. There are many possible causes for these conditions, but the most common include:
* certain medications,
* recreational substances, like cannabis or cocaine
* certain disorders and diseases, like sickle cell anemia and leukemia