The Clitoris Returns: Rediscovering a Vital Organ for Pleasure & Intimacy

The Clitoris – the Forgotten Organ of Pleasure

Did you know that the clitoris – in its full glory – was removed from medical textbooks in 1948? In the revised edition of Grey’s Anatomy, the clitoris was reduced to a small “button,” almost erased from existence.

Why? Well, apparently, women didn’t need it…

The official reason, as shared by Alicia D. Bonaparte, PhD, Professor of Sociology at Pitzer College, was rooted in “concerns about social hygiene and morality...” In other words, there was fear of the clitoris, because it is – quite literally – the body’s pleasure centre.

Imagine, for a moment, if a part of the male genitalia were removed from medical textbooks because it was deemed too pleasurable. It’s almost unthinkable. And yet, for decades, this was the reality for anyone with a vulva.

If even the medical profession had been denied this truth, what hope did the rest of the population have of knowing their own anatomy?

The Woman Who Put the Clitoris Back on the Map

For half a century, the clitoris remained misrepresented as just a “button.” Then, in the late 1990s, Professor Helen O’Connell – a Melbourne-based urologist – changed everything (and forever grateful we are!).

Driven by curiosity and a deep sense of justice, Professor O’Connell devoted her own time to researching and mapping the clitoris. Between 1998 and 2005, she published a series of groundbreaking scientific papers that revealed the true anatomy of the clitoris – and single-handedly changed the way that we (regardless of gender) see and relate to it in doing so.

Finally, we learned that:

• The clitoris is actually much larger than we were originally led to believe

• It is made up of the same erectile tissue as the penis

• It takes time (sometimes up to 45 minutes) to become fully engorged and aroused – in other words: pleasure requires time, patience, and attention!

Why Engorgement Matters for Pleasure

Same tissues in genitals, different locations.

When the clitoris becomes engorged, or erect, blood flow increases throughout the erectile network. This swelling and activation leads to heightened sensations, deeper pleasure, and – for many – more powerful orgasms (more on that over here: My Top 5 Vulva Moves).

The clitoris isn’t just the external gland (the part that looks like a “button”). In fact, its internal structure resembles a wishbone, with arms that straddle both sides of the vulva. The vestibule bulbs become plump around the vaginal opening during arousal, creating a snug fit for penetration and amplifying sensation.

This means that, for some women, orgasm during penetration is directly linked to clitoral arousal.

Taking the time to allow for full engorgement isn’t just a nice-to-have – it transforms pleasurable intimacy for everyone involved.

Reclaiming Pleasure Through Education

The erasure of the clitoris from mainstream anatomy books was more than a medical oversight – it was a cultural denial of pleasure. 

The journey of learning about vulvas and their many facets is vital for us now. Today, we have the opportunity to reclaim what was hidden, to learn about our bodies, and to give ourselves permission to experience more joy and connection through intimacy.

Knowledge is power. And when it comes to sexuality, education is the foundation of building new pleasure pathways.

So take your time. Enjoy your body. Explore. Your pleasure belongs to you – it always has.