Most of my initial information about a clitoral piercing came from BME and Elayne Angel's website. The most prominent pierce of information was: it can be great, but it is very risky; find a qualified piercer if attempting this!!!
At A Glance Author rainbow bunny Contact rainbow bunny@bme.anon When Two years ago Artist Strider Studio Tattoos by Strider Location Winnipeg, Manitoba By this time, I had gotten used to the idea of piercing and getting piercing and thus, there was no particular motivation in a clitoral piercing specifically. Of course, I thought it would feel good, and in my opinion, they are certainly visually appealing. And in part, I suppose the rarity factor intrigued me.
I scouted out piercing studios in my hometown but when no one here did them, I was referred to a studio in Winnipeg, Manitoba. That studio was Soul Survivor. I made an appointment for a consultation, as they like to see if you are suited for it (i.e. have a large enough clitoris that it can be pierced) before booking the piercing.
Erik was the piercer (I believe he is also the studio owner) who met with me. He looked at the area and said we could go ahead with the piercing. I was so pumped up for it and then he said they didn't have any jewelry in the correct size for it so that I would have to come back. Come back??? I had gathered up the courage and was ready for it, and now I had to come back... Oh well, at least I was able to get it done; this had been a concern going in to the consultation.
I had it booked to go back right before I'd be heading back to my hometown. The day... the day... I was supposed to go in, I received a phone call saying that Erik had to leave town for a conference. They asked if I wanted to rebook, but given that I was already heading back home, I declined. I was still anxious to get the piercing, however. Of course, that is why I came into the city.
I previously had my navel pierced at Tattoos by Strider, and he had done a good job of that. So I phoned him and asked if he does clitoral piercing. He said yes and although I had not received a referral from anyone about him, through previous experience, I felt comfortable going there. I was surprised at the price—only $50, whereas almost everywhere else charges at least $100 for such a piercing. This would have generally made me leery, but I did trust him and so I went with it. He explained this by saying that all of his piercing are $50: "a needle is a needle". Hmmm...
I actually got four piercing that day, but those experiences can be found elsewhere. At any rate, I had the clitoral piercing performed last. He is sterile and he does have excellent placement and technique, although is personal etiquette could stand some revision. He told me, as he was preparing for the piercing, that he "sees a lot of nice pussy" and that "he wishes that he could play with it, but he doesn't, because..."... (get this!)... "that would be unprofessional". Yea, and having just said that to me was professional???
Anyway, etiquette aside... the piercing was quick. It was painful. My friend said he heard me from across the way. Of course it was painful. I have also, at this present day in retrospect, come to see that easing the client goes a long way even for a normally painful piercing (something Strider obviously did not do). So, I think it could have hurt less just on the psychological factor alone.
Now that the needle was through, he kept telling me that no matter, to make sure I didn't move (lest I get a needle in my thigh!). He got the jewelry through and getting the ball on was the hardest part. It was only 16 gauge and with his big hands, I can understand why it was difficult. I also didn't help, as I was still getting over it and breathing heavily. Finally, the ball was on and I was free to go. He said it may hurt to walk for a little bit, but in fact, it didn't hurt at all!
I love my clitoral piercing. I love it esthetically and I love it because it holds a symbolic significance in "reclaiming" myself (past issue). For those of you who think it is going to feel amazing though, I would caution against that ideal. It did feel fantastic for the first while, but after a few weeks (not even months!), it felt as it always has. Which is good and not-so-good. It is good because there is always the risk of hitting a nerve which obviously, no nerve was hit. It is not-so-good because this is one of the main reasons (I think) people seek clitoral piercing.
As a side note, I think it was good that I could still feel it as "normal" since after Strider had done it, he said that "some women can't feel sensation for a few months, but that is normal, so don't bother coming back if you can't feel anything for a few months... it will regain sensation eventually". In retrospect, this seemed like an excuse, presented before anything could be argued, for perhaps poorly done past clitoral piercing. Now, obviously I would have been upset (to put it mildly) if I had indeed lost all sensation in my clitoris... for life, yet!!!
Two notes on this: 1) While Strider does have good sterilization and technique, I did not know that much about him short of having previously had my navel pierced. I should not have rushed into getting it done by him just because I was anxious to do so when the other studio copped out, and 2) While I generally like Strider's work, I think that his lack of etiquette and frightening end comment would prevent me from returning.
Today I have stretched my piercing twice so that it is now at 12 gauge. It is also internally threaded, as I had once lost a ball down the shower drain!!! My friend was able to retrieve it from some trap in the basement and screw it back on. Lessons from that (and previous lost ball on tongue): 1) Use internally threaded jewelry—always!!!, and 2) Keep extra balls around, or at least fishing line—something to preserve the piercing if a ball is lost (goodness knows I would not want to have to get my clitoris pierced again—although I probably would if I actually did lose it somehow)!!!