The unknown greatness of the clitoris | Maria Røsok | TEDxOslo

TEDx Talks
20 Jun 201806:49
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis script sheds light on the often-overlooked clitoris, an organ uniquely designed for pleasure. Contrary to common misconceptions, it's revealed to be much larger than perceived, with a complex structure extending internally. The speaker emphasizes the clitoris's role in female sexual satisfaction, highlighting its high sensitivity and capacity for orgasms. Historical perspectives, including Freud's damaging views, are critiqued, and modern research is cited to show the importance of clitoral stimulation for women's sexual health and pleasure. The speaker calls for increased awareness and understanding of the clitoris to improve sexual health and well-being.

Takeaways
  • 🚿 The speaker shares a personal story of discovering pleasure from a showerhead at a young age, highlighting the theme of self-exploration and pleasure.
  • 🌟 The clitoris is the only organ in the human body that exists solely for pleasure, challenging common misconceptions about its size and function.
  • 🔍 The clitoris is often misunderstood and under-researched, with many people, including medical professionals, lacking knowledge about its full anatomy and purpose.
  • 📚 The name 'clitoris' originates from ancient Greek, meaning 'small hill', which reflects the historical underestimation of its size and significance.
  • 🧬 Research by Australian urologist Helen O'Connell in 1998 provided a more complete picture of the clitoris, showing it to be much larger than previously thought.
  • 🌱 The clitoris is comparable in size to the penis, with a body that extends internally and surrounds the vagina, and it contains erectile tissue similar to the penis.
  • 💡 The clitoris has a higher concentration of nerve endings than the penis, making it the most sensitive erogenous zone in the human body.
  • 🌈 Orgasms are important for a woman's sexual health and can be achieved through various forms of stimulation, including external, vaginal, and anal.
  • 📈 Historical beliefs, such as those propagated by Sigmund Freud, have negatively influenced understanding of female orgasms, suggesting they should be achieved through vaginal penetration only.
  • 🏳️‍🌈 A study from 2017 indicates a significant difference in orgasm frequency between heterosexual and lesbian women, with the latter experiencing orgasms more frequently due to factors like communication and varied sexual practices.
  • 💖 Understanding and embracing the clitoris can lead to improved sexual health, mental well-being, and pleasure, as well as physical benefits like a stronger immune system and reduced stress.
Q & A

  • What is the main subject of the speaker's presentation?

    -The main subject of the speaker's presentation is the clitoris, its anatomy, and the importance of understanding it for sexual pleasure and health.

  • What misconception does the speaker mention about the clitoris?

    -The speaker mentions that the common misconception is that the clitoris is a tiny knob, whereas in reality, it is a much larger organ with significant parts inside the body.

  • What is the clitoris' primary function according to the speaker?

    -The primary function of the clitoris, as stated by the speaker, is to provide sexual excitement and pleasure.

  • How does the speaker describe the size and structure of the clitoris?

    -The speaker describes the clitoris as being almost the size of a penis, with a large body and two arms that stretch down and surround the vagina, each arm being seven to fifteen centimeters long.

  • What is the significance of the research conducted by Australian urologist Helen O'Connell?

    -Helen O'Connell's research provided a comprehensive understanding of the clitoris, revealing its full anatomy and debunking previous misconceptions.

  • How many nerve endings does the clitoris have compared to the penis?

    -The clitoris has up to eight thousand nerve endings, which is twice as much as the penis, making it the most erogenous zone of the human body.

  • What historical beliefs about female orgasms does the speaker mention?

    -The speaker mentions that in the 18th century, it was believed that a woman needed to have an orgasm to become pregnant, and that simultaneous orgasms between men and women were necessary for conception.

  • What misconception about female orgasms did Sigmund Freud propagate?

    -Sigmund Freud propagated the misconception that real female orgasms were achieved through vaginal penetration, and that women unable to achieve orgasm this way were mentally ill and needed treatment.

  • According to a 2017 American study, what is the difference in orgasm frequency between lesbian and straight women?

    -The study indicates that 65% of heterosexual women usually orgasm during sexual intimacy, while for lesbians, the number is 86%.

  • What factors contribute to a higher likelihood of orgasm for women, as suggested by the speaker?

    -Factors contributing to a higher likelihood of orgasm for women include oral sex, longer-lasting sexual encounters, communication about desires, trying new sexual positions, deep kissing, and manual genital stimulation of the clitoris.

  • Why does the speaker encourage getting to know the clitoris?

    -The speaker encourages getting to know the clitoris because it is important for the sexual health of women, which in turn is linked to mental and physical health, as well as pleasure and joy.

Outlines
00:00
🌟 The Clitoris: A Pleasure Center Misunderstood

This paragraph introduces the speaker's personal experience with discovering pleasure through the clitoris and aims to educate about its importance. The clitoris is described as an organ solely for pleasure, often misunderstood as just a 'tiny knob', but in reality, it is much larger and more complex. The speaker explains that the clitoris is similar in structure to the penis, with a body that extends internally and is rich in nerve endings. It is revealed to have up to eight thousand nerve endings, making it the most sensitive erogenous zone. The speaker also discusses the historical lack of knowledge and research about female sexuality, highlighting the need for better understanding and education on the topic.

05:02
🌈 Embracing the Clitoris for Better Sexual Health

The second paragraph delves into the benefits of understanding the clitoris, emphasizing its role in sexual health and pleasure. The speaker references a study showing a significant difference in orgasm frequency between lesbian and straight women, suggesting that communication and varied sexual activities contribute to this disparity. The paragraph outlines ways women can achieve more orgasms, such as through oral sex, deep kissing, and manual stimulation. The speaker argues that a better understanding of the clitoris can lead to improved mental and physical health, as regular orgasms are linked to a stronger immune system, better sleep, and reduced stress. The message concludes with a call to action to educate oneself and others about the clitoris, advocating for a more open dialogue about female sexuality and sexual pleasure.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Clitoris
The clitoris is a female genital organ that is the focus of the video. It is often misunderstood and underappreciated, but it plays a significant role in female sexual pleasure. The video script emphasizes that the clitoris is much larger than commonly thought, extending inside the body and having a structure similar to the penis. It is rich in nerve endings, making it highly sensitive and a key organ for female orgasms. The script uses the clitoris as a central theme to advocate for better understanding and appreciation of female sexuality.
💡Sexual Pleasure
Sexual pleasure is a central theme in the video, which discusses the clitoris as the primary organ for female sexual pleasure. The script explains that the clitoris is designed for pleasure, with a complex internal structure that includes erectile tissue and nerve endings. It also highlights the importance of sexual pleasure for overall health and well-being, suggesting that regular orgasms can have positive effects on the immune system, appearance, heart health, sleep, and stress levels.
💡Sexual Maturity
Sexual maturity is mentioned in the context of the clitoris's role in sexual health and pleasure. The video suggests that understanding the clitoris and its function is part of achieving sexual maturity. It implies that sexual maturity involves not only physical development but also emotional and psychological well-being, which can be enhanced through knowledge and appreciation of one's sexual anatomy and the pleasure it can provide.
💡Orgasm
The term 'orgasm' is used in the script to describe the peak of sexual pleasure, which is closely associated with the clitoris. The video emphasizes the importance of orgasms for women's sexual health and satisfaction. It also discusses the frequency of orgasms among different groups of women, such as lesbians and heterosexual women, and suggests that better communication and varied sexual practices can lead to more frequent orgasms.
💡Sexual Health
Sexual health is a key concept in the video, which posits that understanding and embracing the clitoris can lead to better sexual health for women. The script suggests that good sexual health is not only about physical well-being but also about mental and emotional health. It argues that regular orgasms can have numerous health benefits, such as strengthening the immune system, improving heart health, reducing stress, and promoting better sleep.
💡Anatomy
Anatomy is discussed in the video in relation to the clitoris and its often misunderstood structure. The script provides a detailed description of the clitoris, explaining that it is much larger than the visible external part and includes internal structures that extend around the vagina. This anatomical knowledge is crucial for understanding the clitoris's role in sexual pleasure and orgasms.
💡Nerve Endings
Nerve endings are highlighted in the script as a key feature of the clitoris, contributing to its sensitivity and role in sexual pleasure. The video states that the clitoris has up to eight thousand nerve endings, which is twice as many as the penis, making it the most erogenous zone of the human body. This high concentration of nerve endings is crucial for the intense sensations and pleasure associated with the clitoris.
💡Misunderstanding
The script discusses the common 'misunderstanding' about the clitoris and female sexuality, which has been perpetuated by historical and cultural factors. It points out that this misunderstanding has led to a lack of knowledge and research about the clitoris and female sexual health. The video aims to correct these misunderstandings by providing accurate information about the clitoris's anatomy and function.
💡Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, is mentioned in the script as having contributed to the misunderstanding of female sexuality. According to Freud, the script states, 'real female orgasms' were achieved through vaginal penetration, and any deviation from this was considered a sign of mental illness. This perspective has had a lasting impact on societal attitudes towards female sexual pleasure and the clitoris.
💡Communication
Communication is highlighted in the video as an important factor in achieving sexual satisfaction, particularly for women. The script suggests that women who experience orgasms more frequently are those who engage in open communication about their desires and preferences during sexual encounters. It implies that better communication can lead to more satisfying sexual experiences and a deeper understanding of one's own and one's partner's sexual needs.
💡Health Benefits
The script discusses the 'health benefits' of orgasms, emphasizing that they are not just pleasurable experiences but also contribute to overall health. It mentions that regular orgasms can strengthen the immune system, make one look younger, improve heart health, promote better sleep, and reduce stress. These health benefits are presented as additional reasons to value and seek sexual pleasure and orgasms.
Highlights

The clitoris is the only organ in the human body that exists just for pleasure.

The clitoris is often misunderstood and historically overlooked.

The clitoris is almost the size of a penis and extends inside the female body.

The clitoris has two arms that stretch down and surround the vagina.

Each arm of the clitoris is seven to fifteen centimeters long.

The clitoris consists of erectile tissue similar to the sponge body of the penis.

The head of the clitoris, called the glans, varies in size and is covered with a foreskin.

The clitoris has up to eight thousand nerve endings, making it highly sensitive.

Clitoral stimulation can lead to various types and durations of orgasms.

There is a significant lack of knowledge and research about female sexuality.

In the 18th century, it was believed that women needed to orgasm to become pregnant.

Sigmund Freud claimed that real female orgasms were achieved through vaginal penetration.

A 2017 study found a gap between lesbian and straight women's orgasms during sexual intimacy.

Women who orgasm more frequently tend to engage in more oral sex and communication.

Regular orgasms have health benefits such as strengthening the immune system and reducing stress.

The speaker encourages a closer relationship with the clitoris and spreading awareness.

The speaker humorously suggests getting a good showerhead as part of sexual health.

Transcripts

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Clitoris AnatomySexual PleasureFemale OrgasmHealth BenefitsSex EducationPleasure ResearchSexual HealthOrgasm MythsSelf-ExplorationAnatomy Facts