The Clitoris: Lack of Knowledge About Anatomy Persists In Ireland

The Clitoris: Lack of knowledge about sexual organs persists in Ireland. This week the Irish Times featured an article on the subject of “cliteracy” also known as knowledge of the clitoris, in which Doctor Karen Flood from  ‘Debunking The Myths‘ talks about her research uncovering the level of knowledge healthcare professionals in Ireland have about the clitoris.

The article’s main focuses is on RCSI alumni Doctor Caroline De Costa and her efforts to promote education about the clitoris in scientific and health courses. She emphasises the importance of the clitoris’ role in female sexual pleasure and encourages healthcare professionals to consider the effects of sexual health in relation to overall physical and mental health. In the talk she gave on Friday 18th of August at an alumni gathering in RCSI she addressed the historical erasure of the clitoris in medical literature and the need for a reformation in education on clitoral anatomy. De Costa emphasises that even in the 21st century, the clitoris remains poorly understood by women and many doctors, this lack of knowledge is attributed to the historical omission of clitoral details in anatomy textbooks, which focused extensively on male anatomy.

The article also explores ongoing initiatives in Ireland to improve sexual anatomical education, particularly focusing on the clitoris, and the challenges in overcoming taboos and misconceptions surrounding this topic. The Irish Times spoke directly to Doctor Karen Flood, from ‘Debunking The Myths’. Doctor Flood is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist with RCSI and the Rotunda Hospital, she is undertaking a study whose main focus is to assess the “cliteracy” of medical staff, asking them questions about the clitoris and its anatomy. Her survey shows that many qualified professionals, including consultants, struggled to correctly identify the different parts of the clitoris but her hope is to use her results to promote clitoral awareness, introducing educational sessions on the clitoris’ anatomy in the Irish medical curricula.

Here in ‘Debunking The Myths’ we are so lucky to be surrounded by healthcare professionals who are intent on empowering people to understand their bodies and overcome the taboo and shame surrounding sexual health. By backing the expansion of anatomical education and promoting self-knowledge we can encourage others in the pursuit of sexual health and pleasure.