Question: Hi, just want to find out if smegma is found under the hood of the clitoris, how should it be removed? What if it can't be removed even when the hood is retracted, should I just leave it there, or remove it by all means? Please help. Thanks.

Answer: The glands around the clitoral glans and hood produce a natural lubricant and infection fighter called sebum that may collect together into a white cheesy substance called smegma. When fresh and soft smegma is normal and not a reason for concern, but if it accumulates and dries out forming small kernels it could become a source of irritation and cause discomfort. The resulting irritation may cause clitoral adhesions to form, and adhesions can result in a woman having difficulty experiencing orgasm. Clitoral stimulation would likely be painful if there were dried smegma present, and anything that may come in contact with the vulva, including clothing and sanitary napkins, would then perhaps cause pain, as would clitoral stimulation during sexual activities. 

You should be able to rinse fresh smegma away using your fingers and plain water, while gently retracting the clitoral hood. This will be easier for women with a short or loose fitting hood than those who have a long or tight hood. The use of a gentle water stream and lubricated cottons swaps, Q-Tips, may become necessary if you can't use your fingers to remove the accumulated smegma. Be careful not to irritate the clitoral area when attempting to remove accumulated smegma.  Don't be over zealous when attempting to rinse this area, and keep in mind sebum is not harmful to you.

You may be able to soften dried or hard to access smegma by applying a petroleum based product like Vaseline or  triple antibiotic ointment to the area, or vitamin E oil, anything that can be applied under the hood and that wont dry out in a short period of time. You would likely need to apply this two to three times a day to keep the area lubricated and moist. With time, the accumulated smegma may soften and allow you to remove it. Use gently clitoral massage to break up and expel the softened smegma. Be gentle, as an injury in this area could be very painful.

If you cannot remove the dried smegma, you may need to have a doctor remove it, as the use of a local anesthetic may be required to numb the area prior to the smegma being removed. In rare cases, minor surgery may be necessary to separate clitoral adhesions or to allow the clitoral hood to be retracted more easily.

More can be learned about smegma on the page about Clitoral Adhesions.