There is no standard size for a clitoris, merely information technology usually grows with sexual arousal. When a person is non aroused, a hormonal imbalance or another medical condition tin cause enlargement of the clitoris.

The clitoris is a female person sexual organ. Information technology is located simply higher up the urethra, where urine is released from the trunk.

The medical customs refers to an enlarged clitoris as clitoromegaly or macroclitoris. This refers to a clitoris longer than 10 millimeters (mm) in an developed or 9 mm in a newborn.

A swollen clitoris in an adult is not usually a cause for concern. Withal, a child or newborn with a large or swollen clitoris should be evaluated by a pediatrician to rule out certain weather condition.

In this commodity, we expect at causes of clitoral enlargement at several stages of life. Nosotros also explore symptoms and treatments.

Sexual excitement

An adult'south clitoris ordinarily swells because of sexual excitement or arousal. During arousal, more blood flows to the genitals, and the clitoris can make full and appear larger. A similar procedure occurs in the penis.

Claret flow speedily returns to normal later on orgasm, and the clitoris returns to its usual size. If no orgasm follows arousal, it can take hours or day for the clitoris to shrink. This will not damage a person, but if the clitoris remains swollen and rubs against habiliment, it tin cause irritation or discomfort.

Inflammation of the vulva

An enlarged or swollen clitoris may be caused past general inflammation of the genitals. This is known as vulvitis, which describes inflammation of the vulva.

Causes of vulvitis include:

  • An allergic reaction to a production such as a laundry detergent, soap, moisturizer, or lubricant
  • An infection, such as a yeast infection or a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
  • Excessive friction during sex or masturbation

The genitals have abundant nerve endings, and overstimulation of this sensitive area tin can crusade pain or swelling. If a person handles the genitals more gently, discomfort should subside inside a mean solar day or two.

Symptoms of a yeast infection are similar to those of many STIs. See a doc for a diagnosis and treatment.

If a person suspects that an allergic reaction is causing vulvitis, they should avert contact with whatsoever products that might exist responsible. Come across a physician if symptoms practice not improve within a calendar week.

Hormone disorders

Female hormones (estrogens) and male hormones (androgens) are unremarkably nowadays in the body. Testosterone is one example of an androgen.

An excess of whatever androgen can cause the clitoris to cracking. The following may be responsible for this hormonal imbalance:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

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Polycystic ovary syndrome may cause irregular periods and fertility problems, as well equally an enlarged clitoris.

In this condition, many minor cysts form on the ovaries, which cause an excess of androgens in the body. A minor study from 2015 found that a larger clitoris was strongly linked to a diagnosis of PCOS.

The following factors may also betoken PCOS:

  • extra confront and trunk hair
  • acne
  • weight proceeds
  • Irregular periods
  • fertility problems

Hormone medication and lifestyle changes are usually sufficient to manage this condition.

Anabolic steroids

These steroids are used to build muscle and boost able-bodied endurance.

Anabolic steroid apply tin can too atomic number 82 to an excess of male hormones. This tin can consequence in:

  • an enlarged clitoris
  • extra facial hair
  • a deeper voice
  • acne
  • serious health problems that can impact the heart, liver, and kidneys

Steroids should only exist used to treat designated medical atmospheric condition nether a md'due south careful supervision.

Adrenal gland tumors or growths

The adrenal glands secrete hormones. If a tumor or another type of growth form on these glands they cannot function properly. In this outcome, a person may develop a hormonal imbalance and an enlarged clitoris.

A person may also experience other hormone-related symptoms, such as weight gain, menstrual changes, or excessive hair growth.

Handling for adrenal gland tumors depends on many factors, such every bit the size of the tumor and whether it is malignant.

Several conditions tin cause an enlarged clitoris in a child. Only a doc tin make a proper evaluation and diagnosis.

An enlarged clitoris in a child is usually caused past ane of the following conditions:

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

This disorder of the adrenal glands leads the trunk to produce too much androgen, which tin result in swelling of the clitoris. It may exist difficult to make up one's mind whether the genitals are male or female person.

Disorders of sex development

Built disabilities that affect the sex organs can cause an enlarged clitoris at birth. Many additional types of developmental complexity autumn under this category.

Other disorders

Growths may cause the clitoris to appear unusual in size or shape. According to a 2013 report, the following factors can cause clitoral enlargement in children:

  • a lympho-angiofibroma, which is an aberrant, noncancerous growth that contains lymphatic other connective tissues
  • an epidermoid cyst, a noncancerous growth filled with fluid
  • a fibroma, a noncancerous tumor

The written report stated that surgery was successful in removing the growths from these children.

A written report from 2017 described a hemangioma, a noncancerous birthmark containing blood vessels, which had developed on an infant'due south clitoris, causing information technology to appear abnormally large and red. Hemangiomas frequently disappear afterwards several months or years. Surgery may non be required.

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A doctor should exist consulted when in that location is no obvious cause for changes in the advent of the clitoris.

Changes in the advent of the clitoris or other genital organs should be checked past a doc if a person has:

  • clitoral swelling that does not go away inside a couple of days
  • hurting, redness, or a feeling of oestrus, which may be a sign of infection
  • unusual vaginal discharge
  • blisters on the genitals
  • itching
  • pain during urination
  • bleeding in the expanse

If swelling of the clitoris goes away in a few days, it usually does non indicate a serious condition.

Nevertheless, a child who has enlarged or swollen genitals should be evaluated by a pediatrician, to rule out certain conditions.