What Your Clitoris Is Telling You: Numbness, Tingling & Hormones
By Laura Lynn Aviles, Founder of Perimenopause Chat Lounge
Let’s talk about something most women have been taught to ignore: changes in clitoral sensation.
If you've ever thought, “Why does it feel like something’s missing down there?” or “Why am I getting weird tingling or even burning sensations?”—you’re not imagining it. And you’re definitely not alone.
I started noticing it myself not too long ago—a strange lack of sensation, like something had been “turned off.” Then, out of nowhere, sensation returned during my cycle—suddenly stronger, almost like the nerves had flickered back to life. These shifts were confusing, frustrating, and frankly, a little scary. But they became the spark that led me to start asking real questions and connecting with other women who felt the same.
Hormones, Nerves & Your Clitoris: A Missing Piece of the Menopause Puzzle
As we move through perimenopause and beyond, hormonal shifts—especially estrogen and testosterone—can affect nerve function, blood flow, and tissue sensitivity, particularly in intimate areas like the clitoris.
When I began diving into research, I discovered that many women in perimenopause experience numbness, tingling, or even burning sensations around the clitoral or vulvar area. But no one talks about it. It's often brushed off as aging or “just stress.” But in reality, it can be a direct signal from your nervous system and hormones that something’s shifting.
Is It Hormonal? Is It Neurological? It’s Often Both.
Here’s what I—and many others—have experienced:
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Numb or dulled clitoral sensation
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Sudden “zapping” or tingling feelings
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Random return of sensitivity around ovulation or mid-cycle
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Difficulty achieving orgasm, or orgasms that feel weaker or inconsistent
These symptoms often come and go in rhythm with your cycle, just like mine did. I noticed that sensation would completely fade for weeks, then return during ovulation, only to disappear again. It wasn’t random. It was hormonal.
Let’s Talk About the Pudendal Nerve
The clitoris is supplied by the pudendal nerve, which runs from the sacrum (lower spine) through the pelvic floor. If you’ve had children (I’ve had nine!), or spent years sitting at a desk, or ever had back or tailbone issues, you may be dealing with nerve compression, too.
In fact, the more I listened to my body, the more I realized how important posture, pelvic floor tension, and nerve health were in this picture. Our clitoris isn’t just a surface organ—it’s deeply connected to our nervous system and entire pelvic structure.
Don’t Forget Testosterone
Another thing I personally learned the hard way: testosterone matters more than we’re told. I began using a low-dose testosterone cream (under medical supervision) directly on the clitoris. It was subtle, but I began to notice small shifts—like more sensation, occasional return of desire, and even more energy.
Most women don’t even know they can test their testosterone, or that low levels might be part of why they feel “shut down” sexually.
How I’m Supporting My Clitoral Nerve Health Now
Here’s what’s been working for me (and what I recommend looking into):
💡 Hormone testing — Track your estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone
💡 Pelvic nerve awareness — I do stretches, avoid long hours sitting, and use a posture-correcting cushion
💡 Nutrient support — I’ve focused on increasing B12, iron, and magnesium—all critical for nerve health
💡 Clitoral stimulation therapy — Using safe, gentle vibration to help “reawaken” nerves and blood flow
💡 Talking about it openly — Creating this community is part of my own healing
You’re Not Broken—You’re Changing
This journey isn’t about shame—it’s about understanding. If you’re noticing changes in sensation or sexual response, don’t ignore it. These symptoms are real, valid, and deserve compassionate support.
I created Perimenopause Chat Lounge so we could finally talk about these things—without embarrassment, without being dismissed, and with real strategies for healing.
Let’s normalize this conversation and remind ourselves:
🩷 You are not alone. You are not broken. Your body is talking—let’s listen together.
