Getting my VCH was a relatively quick decision (for me, anyway!) - I'd thought about it on and off for a while but usually decided against it, but one day I just thought 'why not?'. I figured I might as well give it a go - can always take it out, right? My boyfriend likes piercings, so I knew there wouldn't be a problem there.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When A month ago Artist Marcus Studio Holier Than Thou Location Manchester I went to my usual studio with 2 friends, and we all just sat around in the studio talking for a while until I eventually started filling out the consent forms. At this point, I was surprisingly calm, I didn't really feel nervous at all - which is a little odd for me, I do tend to get fairly nervous before most piercings. I think in a way I felt proud of myself for going through with this so it drowned any nervousness out!
I know that larger gauges are better for genitals, but I decided on 14g for a couple of reasons - I cleverly forgot to ask if they had 12g or 10g of the right length in stock when I booked my appointment (and they didn't, boo), and also because I'm pretty damn small down there and I feel more comfortable with the idea of stretching up gradually, than start immediately at a large gauge. I'll almost certainly end up at 10g though - already looking at lovely Anatometal barbells to buy!
So, next thing I know I'm lying on the table with my pants around my ankles, happily chatting away to Marcus while he prepares the needle, jewellery and forceps. Nope, still not nervous.
He explained that he usually uses tiny forceps but will use a receiving tube if I preferred, but I just went with what he usually uses - he's done enough of them to know that it works, I suppose.
The forceps are on. Feels slightly uncomfortable...quite an odd feeling.
Okay, now I'm nervous.
Then, PAIN.
A lot of pain.
A few seconds of relief...
Then another ow-holy-fuck-that-hurts moment when the jewellery was put in.
I yelled out and swore a few times - not the first time I've yelled 'fuck' at my piercer though, he guy must be used to it by now! My friend sitting outside heard me, which I found slightly more embarrassing than having the actual piercing done - there were also a few other people waiting who gave me a look when I came out, so I'm guessing I may have terrified them too, haha. I honestly think it was the most painful thing that I've experienced, but I guess I have had a pretty pain-free life - no accidents, no broken bones. It's definitely the only piercing I wouldn't want to get repierced.
He gave me a pantyliner which I promptly bled through in about half an hour. Thankfully I'd brought a few other pads 'just in case'. I definitely recommend taking a few pads with you, especially if you know you'll be out for a while or if you usually bleed a lot (both, in my case).
I decided to write a bit of a diary for the first week or so to document healing...
Day 2
Now I've scared you all with the description of the pain I felt yesterday, let me attempt to reassure you a little by saying I haven't felt it since. Nothing at all. None of the usual 'awareness' or slight throbbing from most my other piercings. It's pinched once or twice, but still not painful. Bleeding is another matter though - currently it's just over 24 hours old and still bleeding on and off.Day 4
Four days on and the bleeding has completely stopped, I can't feel a thing and the barbell moves around easily with no pain whatsoever. It actually feels totally healed already, it's amazing. From what I can tell, I don't think I'll experience any increase in sensation - not particularly disappointed, I think if I did I may have found it a bit too overwhelming/uncomfortable.Day 5/6
I figured since it'd completely stopped hurting and the barbell slid around easily I'd have a closer look in the mirror, move the barbell around, check placement, etc. On doing so I realised that it actually seems to be pierced incorrectly and exits through another hole about 2mm above my hood. I'm really quite upset. This explains the lack of sensation I guess - it doesn't rest on my clit as it should at all. I've spoken to a piercer at the studio it was done at and I have to go in in a few days for them to look at it. I'm really disappointed...Now...
It's been removed by a piercer at the studio I got it done at - it was indeed placed badly. I didn't realise sooner because it's obviously a bit hard to look at, and it wasn't as noticeable to me until I lifted up the bottom of the barbell and realised it didn't actually come out where it should. I don't know if I'll get it repierced, I'm quite uncomfortable going back to the same piercer but at the same time I'm not comfortable with anyone else. I definitely wouldn't want forceps to be used, anyway.Before this I've been more than happy with the experiences at this studio. I think I'd still go to them for other work in the future, just not genital or anything a bit more complex. By no means am I saying they're a horrible studio, I know hundreds of people who've had nothing but positive experiences there. I guess everyone makes mistakes...
I suppose now I've learnt not to go ahead with a piercing if I feel a bit uncomfortable with the methods/techniques the piercer is using. I'm just glad it wasn't placed badly enough to actually cause any long-term damage - there's not even a visible scar now. As much I want it redone I'm very hesitant about trusting someone else now, especially as I don't really like any of the other local studios.