While this type of pain may be alarming, most underlying causes are minor and easily treated.

Clitoris pain, medically known as clitorodynia, can range from mild to severe. Discomfort may be constant, or it might come and go. It might be aggravated by everyday activities as bathing, exercise, or sexual stimulation.

Clitoris pain is not the same thing as clitoris sensitivity. Clitoris pain is a medical condition or injury. Clitoris sensitivity is soreness or discomfort with touch during sexual activity.

Generally, the best remedy for clitoris sensitivity is to adjust your methods of sexual stimulation. Techniques such as adding lubrication and building sexual activity slowly and gently can help relieve clitoris sensitivity.

On the other hand, you can feel clitoral pain even when there is no direct stimulation to your clitoris. Medical treatment is often needed.

It’s common to have other symptoms along with clitoris pain. The other symptoms you have can sometimes indicate what might be causing your pain.

For example, when clitoris pain is caused by genital irritation, injury, or infection, you may also experience:

When clitoris pain is caused by an infection in another body system or an underlying condition, you may develop:

  • bloody urine
  • chills or fever
  • difficult or painful urination
  • numbness or tingling throughout your body
  • pain during sexual activity
  • rashes on multiple parts of your body
  • widespread aches and pain

Rarely, clitoris pain can be a sign of an emergency medical condition. Seek immediate medical care if you have clitoral pain along with any of these symptoms:

  • fever over 101°F (38°C)
  • rapid heart rate
  • severe stomach, lower back, or pelvic pain

There are multiple causes of clitoris pain. Some causes might be easy for you to remedy at home. Other causes will require medical treatment. Some common causes are detailed below.

Allergic contact dermatitis

Dyes and chemicals found in soaps, detergents, and other hygiene products can sometimes irritate your clitoris and vulvar region. This might lead to rashes, inflammation, and pain.

In this case, you might be able to relieve your pain by figuring out which product is irritating your clitoris and discontinuing use.

Infections

The most common infections associated with clitoris pain are:

Skin conditions

Clitoral adhesions are small buildups of skin that can grow on or around the glans. They can scratch the surface of your clitoris, resulting in pain.

Lichen sclerosus is a skin condition that can affect your vaginal opening and lead to:

This can cause pain throughout your vulvar region, including your clitoris.

Nerve damage

Conditions that impact your nervous system can result in damage to the nerves in your vulvar region.

Diabetes is commonly associated with this kind of nervous system disruption. However, many other conditions could lead to clitoris pain, including:

Less common causes

Sometimes, clitoris pain has a less common underlying cause. This might include:

  • Previous surgery: Surgery anywhere in your vulvar or pelvic area can cause clitoral pain.
  • Vaginal delivery: Sometimes, tearing during vaginal delivery can lead to clitoral pain.
  • Vulvodynia: Vulvodynia is chronic vaginal itching, pain, or burning that is not linked to any cause or condition.

A medical professional will need to gather detailed information to help determine the cause of your pain. They’ll ask you questions about your symptoms, sexual history, and overall health.

They will also examine your vulva and vagina to check for skin conditions or signs of injury. They might ask you to identify any pain or sensation you feel during this examination.

Your healthcare professional will take a culture with a cotton swab to test for infections, and you’ll likely have bloodwork done.

Sometimes, this will be enough to confirm that the cause of your clitoris pain is a rash, infection, or skin condition.

In some cases, they might test your nerve and muscle function to look for underlying medical conditions. If a medical expert can’t find a cause, your pain might be classified as vulvodynia.

The treatment for your clitoris pain can vary depending on the cause. Options might include:

  • Antibiotics: Antibiotics can cure BV, UTIs, some STIs, and certain rashes.
  • Antivirals: Antiviral medications can keep STIs, such as herpes, from flaring up and causing pain.
  • Antifungals: Antifungal medications treat yeast infections and some rashes.
  • Pain relievers: Topical anesthetics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help relieve pain. These medications are available over the counter or with a prescription.
  • Anticonvulsants: Anticonvulsant medication can help treat nerve pain.
  • Antidepressants: Antidepressants can help with nerve pain and chronic pain.
  • Pelvic floor physical therapy: This specialized physical therapy can help strengthen your pelvic muscles and relieve pain throughout your vulvar region.
  • Sex therapy: Sex therapists can help you build a healthy relationship with sex and your own body. This can include working through difficult and sensitive topics such as past sexual abuse.

A healthcare professional can quickly and easily treat many common causes of clitoris pain. But the exact outlook will depend on the cause of your pain and how well your body responds to your treatment plan.

For example, you might need to manage your pain as part of an overall treatment plan for a chronic condition such as rheumatoid arthritis. Your healthcare professional will discuss your options with you.

If you have clitoris pain, you might experience burning, itching, or a raw sensation. Common causes include reactions to dyes and other irritants, infections, and other skin conditions.

An antibiotic or antiviral medication might be able to clear up your infection and relieve your pain. In other cases, an underlying condition such as diabetes might cause nervous system damage that leads to clitoral pain.

A doctor or other healthcare professional can diagnose the cause and find the best treatment for your symptoms.