Genitals are weird. Honestly, if you spend enough time looking at medical textbooks or just existing in the world, you realize the "standard" diagrams we saw in high school health class are basically a lie. They show one specific version of a body, usually the most average one, and ignore the massive spectrum of reality. One of those realities? Clits that look like penises.
It sounds surprising to some, but biologically, it makes perfect sense.
The clitoris and the penis are made of the exact same embryonic tissue. They are "homologous" structures. When a fetus is developing, every person starts with the same genital nub. Depending on hormones—specifically androgens—that nub either stays relatively small or it grows. It’s a sliding scale, not a binary switch.
The Biology of the "Large" Clitoris
We have to talk about clitoromegaly. That’s the medical term for a clitoris that is larger than the statistical average. But "average" is a tricky word here. For decades, the medical community mostly ignored clitoral anatomy. It wasn't until Dr. Helen O'Connell’s groundbreaking research in the late 90s that we even realized how massive the internal structure of the clitoris actually is.
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The part you see is just the tip of the iceberg.
Sometimes, the external part—the glans—is just naturally prominent. In other cases, it's due to a hormonal shift. You might see this in people with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), where elevated testosterone levels can cause the clitoris to grow over time. It’s not a "malfunction." It’s just how that specific body responded to the chemicals inside it.
The "normal" range for a clitoral glans is usually cited as being between 3 and 10 millimeters. But bodies don't follow rules. Some people are born with a clitoris that measures 2, 3, or even 5 centimeters. When that happens, the tissue behaves a lot like a penis. It fills with blood. It gets erect. It might even peek out from the labia majora.
Intersex Variations and the Spectrum
A huge reason why someone might have a clitoris that resembles a penis is being intersex. This isn't a rare "condition" like some people think; it’s actually about as common as having red hair.
Take Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH). This is a common intersex variation where the adrenal glands produce an abundance of androgens during fetal development. The result is often an enlarged clitoris that looks very similar to a small penis. In the past, doctors would perform "normalizing" surgeries on infants to make their genitals fit into a narrow box. Thankfully, the tide is turning. Organizations like interACT have been fighting for years to stop these non-consensual cosmetic surgeries. They argue—rightly so—that a clitoris that looks like a penis isn't a medical emergency. It’s just a variation.
Biology is messy.
The Role of Bodybuilding and Performance Enhancers
There’s another reason you might see this variation: exogenous hormones. In the world of high-level female bodybuilding, "clit growth" is a known and often discussed side effect of using anabolic steroids.
When you introduce high levels of testosterone into a system that isn't used to it, the clitoral tissue reacts. It’s sensitive. It wants to grow. Some athletes find this distressing; others embrace it as a sign of their body’s power and change. It highlights a fascinating truth about the human body: it is plastic. It responds to its environment. If you feed the tissue the right "fuel," it will change shape, regardless of what's on your birth certificate.
Why Does This Make People Uncomfortable?
Culture loves boxes. We want "A" or "B." When we see something that sits in the middle—a clitoris that looks like a penis—it challenges the binary.
People get weird about it because it blurs the lines of what we consider "male" and "female." But if you look at the actual anatomy, the difference is mostly just size and the location of the urethra. A penis is basically just a very large clitoris that you can pee through. A clitoris is a compact, high-density nerve center that shares the same glans, the same shaft, and the same crura (legs) as its masculine counterpart.
Moving Past the "Shock Value"
If you’re someone who has an enlarged clitoris, or you’re with someone who does, the most important thing is to decouple it from "disorder." Unless there is pain, sudden unexplained growth, or other symptoms, it’s usually just an anatomical quirk.
- Sensitivity: A larger clitoris often means more surface area for sensation.
- Function: It works the same way. It engorges when aroused.
- Health: Regular check-ups are still key, but "different" doesn't mean "broken."
We need to stop treating these bodies as anomalies to be fixed. Whether it's through natural genetics, an intersex variation, or hormonal shifts, a clitoris that resembles a penis is a valid and functional part of the human experience.
Practical Next Steps
If you are noticing changes in your own anatomy or are curious about your health:
- Consult an Endocrinologist: If you're experiencing rapid growth along with other symptoms like hair loss or severe acne, it’s worth checking your hormone levels. This can rule out things like adrenal tumors or PCOS.
- Educational Resources: Look into the work of Dr. Rachel Rubin, a urologist and sexual medicine specialist who spends her life educating people on clitoral health. She's a fantastic resource for understanding what's actually "normal."
- Community Support: If you're intersex, connecting with groups like the Intersex Society of North America (ISNA) archives or modern advocacy groups can provide a sense of belonging and medical clarity.
- Self-Acceptance: Recognize that the "ideal" genital appearance is a social construct. Your body is a tool for your life, not a picture in a textbook.
The more we talk about the reality of human diversity, the less "weird" it becomes. It’s time we started looking at the actual evidence of human biology rather than the simplified versions we were sold in middle school.