The causes of this condition can vary, from genetic problems to hormonal disorders, such as the use of anabolic steroids.
Recently, the maternity school Asis Chateaubriand, in northeastern Brazil, performed two "clitoroplasty" - corrective operations on the clitoris.
Marija*, one of the operated patients, is 22 years old and spoke to the BBC about the procedure she underwent.
This young woman told how she complained to the medical team about the size of her clitoris and that she has been on hormone therapy since December 2021.
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Maria's sexual organ, which she had already described as large, would further increase during sexual intercourse, causing her great discomfort.
"After the first sex, at the age of 18, I noticed that my clitoris swelled a lot. And that really bothered me," she says.
Searching for solutions
This young woman then asked the gynecologist if there was a possibility to reduce the size of the clitoris.
Marija was later diagnosed with a genetic condition that causes abnormal growth of this organ.
"It didn't bother me in everyday life, but during sexual intercourse I would look at him and have the impression that he was not normal. That's why I wanted to reduce it," Marija explained.
She added that her then sexual partner never showed that it bothered him, although he advised her to seek help since she was unhappy about it.
There was no specialist surgeon in Ceara, the country where Maria lived, so she had to wait until a professional from Sao Paulo agreed to travel nearly 3.000 kilometers to perform the procedure.
"The operation went very well. Now I feel like a complete woman, because before that I didn't feel normal," she says.
"For many people it seems like a small problem, but for those who live with it, it's very difficult."
"It's not a disease"
Marcelo Praksedes, the gynecologist who performed the procedure, warns that an enlarged clitoris is a "common developmental disorder" and admits that it can affect women's confidence.
"But an enlarged clitoris is not a disease," explains Praxedes.
What is "clitoroplasty"?
Clitoris reduction surgery does not target its function as the main source of sexual pleasure in women.
After all, this organ has more than 8.000 nerve endings.
Similar to a "little button", the clitoris varies in size from person to person.
Doctor Praksedes lists some of the causes of this hypertrophy, known as clitoromegaly: genetic or hormonal disorders as well as the use of anabolic steroids - a substance often taken by people who want to build muscle mass faster.
Abnormal growth of this sexual organ can also be triggered by the intake of hormones during pregnancy, the appearance of some tumors that increase the production of male hormones and, in extreme cases, abnormal growth can be the result of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
"PCOS is considered the most common endocrine disease in women of reproductive age. Its frequency varies from 5 percent to 17 percent in this age group," says Dr. Praksedes.
"It can cause irregular periods, acne, excess body hair and clitoral enlargement in more severe cases."
The clitoris naturally enlarges when aroused thanks to the tissues that fill with blood.
This is common in all women, but in the case of those with clitoromegaly it is further accentuated.
This can cause a larger erection than expected, which can lead to discomfort during sexual intercourse.
Also, according to experts, many women with enlarged clitoris are not comfortable wearing bikinis or very tight clothing, because the size of their penis can attract attention.
"During the procedure, we remove only the tissue that is enlarged. We keep all sensitive and vascular parts, which are the most important," explains Dr. Praksedes.
Does the clitoris have a defined size?
There is no standard size.
Therefore, it is advised to consult a doctor when there really is visual or sexual discomfort.
"The patient should not measure whether her clitoris is enlarged or not, because, in reality, it is a very personal matter. And if it is slightly enlarged, and she is satisfied, then there is no problem," advises Dr. Praksedes.
There is a classification in the medical literature called Prader, which ranks size numerically from one to four and is used to define the degree of abnormality of the genitalia, but this assessment can only be made by an expert.
She breaks down taboos about sex in later years: "Your parents do it, and so do your grandparents."
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