It's definitely not a secret that the clitoris is a pleasure powerhouse for people who have them, but sometimes it feels that way. Whether it's because we're not taking the time to explore our own clitorises during masturbation, or a sexual partner bypasses the clit in favor of some more vaginal stimulation, the clitoris is often ignored. But for those in the know, it's clear why it shouldn't be snubbed — and now science is here to back that up.
We know the clitoris is the only organ that exists expressly for pleasure, which is pretty great. But the female orgasm still largely remains a mystery when it comes to science. That's why it's so exciting that new research focused on sexual pleasure and the clitoris, and exactly how people like to use it. Researchers polled 1,055 women with clitorises ages 18 to 94, asking them about sexual pleasure, orgasm, and genital touching. Most of the women in the study were straight, according to numbers from the sexual pleasure education organization OMGYes, while nearly 5% identified as bisexual 1.6% as gay or lesbian, 0.6% as asexual and 0.7% as other. The results? People who have clitorises really like to have them touched during sex.
According to the poll, 18.4% of women surveyed said they can orgasm through vaginal intercourse alone, while 36.6% said clitoral stimulation is necessary for orgasm. Another 36% said they can orgasm through intercourse alone, but it feels better when they have clitoral stimulation.
The research also looked at exactly what kind of clitoral stimulation women like, finding the majority — 75% — prefer a rhythmic motion with light to medium pressure, Greatist reports. If you have a clitoris and you're not sure what kind of stimulation you like, the good news is you have your whole life to figure it out. You can get to know what feels best for you through masturbation, trying out different kinds of patterns and pressures.
The following infographic from OMGYes gives more information about exactly how people said they liked their clitorises touched.
It's clear that the clitoris is pretty popular among those who have one, and that's something to celebrate.
This article has been updated to include the correct breakdown of participants' sexual orientation.
Related: Watch This Cute Video About the Clitoris
