Clitoral Erections: Why It Happens, Can Girls Get Boners?

Can females really get boners?

Right from our textbooks to porn to the meagre sex education provided in schools, the penile erection has always been on the forefront and even almost glorified. But, in reality, people of all genders and genitalia are capable of experiencing hard-ons. So yes, that includes female boners!

In fact, it’s described by sex counsellors as a natural and physical physiologic response to the state of arousal.

How does a clitoral erection happen?

The usual bean-like structure at the apex of the labia is more like the tip of the iceberg to the enormity of the entire clitoris. The outer part, known as the glans, is the one that’s visible to us. But, there is also an internal part that extends partly back into the body and partly around the vaginal canal about 4 inches.

As blood rushes into the somewhat ‘Y’ shaped organ, the erectile tissues in it get engorged, resulting in a clitoral erection. These are also the same tissues that line a penis, making it an erectile organ.

Tell-tale signs of female boners

While a penis becomes stiff externally upon getting an erection, clitoral erections take place mostly internally, causing pressure in the vulva from swelling up. Here, the signs go somewhat like these:

• You can notice more lubrication in the vagina, with the vaginal lips looking more flushed and reddish.
• The glans appears to be more swollen and enlarged than its usual appearance.
• The clitoral hood can appear to be pulled back.

Upon erection, the glans protrudes from the clitoral hood and increases in size anywhere from 50 to 300 percent. The vaginal lips also swell up to become about two to three times bigger when you experience a clitoral erection.

Do all vulva owners get them?

There isn’t enough research to conclude this topic, but it’s probably safe to assume that since every body is different, it can be that while some are capable of achieving a boner, others aren’t, much like squirting. But there is nothing abnormal whether you can or can’t achieve one.

How must it feel?

An erect clitoris can feel bigger and more sensitive to the touch. But, it’s not that you will always be aware of having one because there isn’t any out of the ordinary feeling that accompanies it. There are, however, also people that swear by a much more heightened sensation when experiencing a clitoral erection.

If you experience an orgasm while erect, the pulsating vagina will push back the trapped blood much faster than when you don’t orgasm.

Can you make it feel better?

There are several things that you can do to increase your pleasure while experiencing a female boner:

• Touch it - When you have an erection, your clitoris becomes more sensitive to the touch, making the whole act much more pleasurable. Experiment with tapping, flicking, rubbing or stroking in any direction to enhance the feeling.

• Try a sex toy - You can try several sex toys designed to bring pleasure to females with a clitoris along with trans and nonbinary people taking testosterone (since their clitoris can undergo some modification due to the hormone). This can help you derive maximum pleasure and make full use of a well-intended boner.

• Practice edging - It is the process of stopping yourself from tipping over just as you near an orgasm. Edging can help you enjoy a clitoral erection for longer, making it much stronger and more pleasurable as a result.
  
  

Can it ever be a sign of anything else?

Under sexual stimulation, a clitoral erection is perfectly healthy and completely natural. But, if you notice having a boner when not in a state of arousal, it can be a sign of persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD) or priapism.

In this condition, a person can get aroused in the absence of any physical, sexual, visual or aural stimulation, and can prove to be very disruptive to your daily life. The erections can further go on to last for about 4 hours or more and turn quite painful.

You are more susceptible to priapism when taking certain medications or recreational substances, or have certain disorders like sickle cell anemia or leukemia. Prolonged clitoral erections can cause scar tissue to form underneath the clitoris that is very hard to remove.