---

Question: For the past couple of days I have felt a sharp kind of pain around my clitoris, but it comes and goes. I feel fine when I walk and go about normally, but sometimes a very sharp pain shoots through my clitoris, painful enough for me to actually stop whatever I'm doing. Even when I sleep, I'll feel completely fine until without warning the pain comes back for a split second. I can't seem to see anything wrong around the area. What's wrong?

Answer: Several muscles and ligaments attach to the pelvis at the clitoris, muscle strain or weakness may result in discomfort or pain. When you feel the pain, slip a finger or two into your vagina to see if your pelvic muscles are in spasm. Try relaxing your pelvic muscles by doing Kegel contractions. Do not sit on any hard surfaces, sit on a pillow. Masturbate to orgasm to see if releasing tension within the pelvic muscles helps. Try stretching your pelvic muscles by inserting several fingers, gently with lubrication, into your vagina, and massage your vagina and pelvic area. You may need to consult a physical therapist that is familiar with pelvic muscle tone and balance.

Please read this Q&A for information on another potential cause for a painful clitoris. It could be the result of a bacterial infection, for additional information on this please see the article about Vaginitis in the Health section. A tight or adherent clitoral hood may trap body fluids resulting in adhesions, infection, or irritation. An over-the-counter topical anesthetic, applied after removal of an irritant, should relieve this source pain.

You should see a doctor and discuss this with them. Do not allow them to ignore you.