"As perhaps the epicenter of pleasure for vagina owners, there are endless ways to stimulate and tease the clitoris for maximum effect, solo or with a partner. You may be familiar with the glans (the bean-shaped head that is visible) and even the clitoral hood, but did you know that there is more to love? Beneath the surface, your clit has legs. Yes, you read that right—and stimulating them can make your already ah-mazing orgasm so much better.
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As someone whose body reaches a sometimes uncomfortable level of sensitivity rather quickly, I was excited to hear that there are options besides direct stimulation on the head. I mean, how had I not heard of this before? As if we couldn’t love clitoral orgasms more, we’re sharing everything you need to know about clitoral legs, where they are, and how to stimulate them for peak pleasure.
What are clitoral legs?
The head of the clitoris—known as the glans—tends to be the center of attention due to its sensitivity and visible placement. The head is the pea-shaped structure at the apex where the two labia meet. Protected by a little hood to avoid too direct of stimulation, this external portion of the clit is just the tip of the iceberg, literally. “Inside the body, the clitoris has a whole hidden structure,” says longtime sex educator and pleasure-product company owner Searah Deysach. She explains that clitoral legs (or crura) wrap around the vagina and contain erectile tissue that expands during arousal, making it similar to a penile erection. There are also clitoral bulbs located between the legs of the clitoris and the vaginal walls that swell when you’re turned on—and yes, the whole clit can indeed experience pleasure!
Searah Deysach
Searah is the founder and owner of Early to Bed, Chicago’s first woman-owned sex shop. In addition to slinging high-quality sex toys, she lectures about sex and the adult novelty industry at Midwestern colleges, local community groups and pretty much anywhere she is invited. She is a firm believer in masturbation and that comprehensive sex education should be available to everyone.
I find it helpful to think of the clitoris as an upside-down flower with long petals extending deep into the body that makes up the vaginal canal. Those petals are the legs and bulbs, which deserve as much attention as the head! Of course, stimulating the internal portions of the clitoris takes a little extra attention, but don’t you worry, it’s totally doable. Once you find the technique that works for your body, your orgasms will be forever changed.
How to stimulate the clitoral legs
Cup the labia
This sounds weird, but hear me out. Cupping your hand over the entire length of the labia forms a little pocket of stimulation that diffuses sensation indirectly over the entire clitoris. You can hold your hand in place, apply pressure, pulse up and down gently, or rub and grind. I won’t lie; this sensation is unusual initially but in the best way. I never considered stimulating the clitoris this way before, but once I did, I had a blast.
Experiment with different techniques to find what feels best to you. For example, you can alternate between adding pressure over the full labia to doing circular motions over the head. This is a great way to vary stimulation. Plus, it can help you control when and how you reach orgasm and even give you the opportunity to edge.
“I never considered stimulating the clitoris this way before, but once I did, I had a blast.”
Use an external toy
While the cupping technique works well with a hand, there is always room for a bit of sex toy action. There is an endless variety of clit vibrators designed to each personal taste, and they’re able to give the clitoris a consistent stimulation that can’t be achieved manually. Reach for a flat, oval-shaped toy to cover the entire labia and test the different settings. Similar to the cupping technique, spreading the vibrations over a wider surface area keeps the sensation from becoming too intense too quickly while still making sure to stimulate all the right spots. My favorite toy for pleasuring clitoral legs is the Satisfyer Partner Multifun 2, but any vibrator in your nightstand can up the ante.
Casey Tanner
Casey Tanner is a AASECT-certified sex therapist, the author of Feel It All, the creator of @queersextherapy, and a thought leader in millennial and Gen Z sexuality. It is Casey’s mission to inspire your sexual awakening through anti-oppressive queer sex education and mental health support.
Stimulate from the inside out
I’m sure you’ve heard of the G-spot—you know, that elusively sensitive part of the vaginal wall often claimed to be the source of vaginal orgasms? There is more to the lore. You can stimulate the internal parts of the clit here, too. New York psychotherapist, AASECT-certified sex therapist, and author of Feel It All: A Therapist’s Guide to Reimagining Your Relationship with Sex, Casey Tanner, LCPC, explains that the best way to reach the clitoral legs is with “angled vaginal penetration.” To do this, you can use your finger, a partner’s finger, or your sex toy of choice. Using a toy with an upward pointing tip or making a “come hither” motion with the fingers is ideal for maximizing sensation on those oh-so-coveted internal sections of the clit, especially the clitoral legs.
Sydney Cox, Contributing Sex & Relationships Writer
Sydney Cox is a Chicago-based writer and intimacy coordinator who is passionate about exploring the complexities of human connections and teaching readers to advocate for themselves. Sydney’s work has been featured in various publications, where they aim to foster open and honest conversations.