A fourchette piercing is a female

genital piercing Genital piercing is a form of body piercing that involves piercing a part of the genitalia, thus creating a suitable place for wearing different types of jewellery. Nevertheless, the term may also be used ''pars pro toto'' to indicate all body p ...

. It is a piercing done at the rear rim of the

vulva In mammals, the vulva (: vulvas or vulvae) comprises mostly external, visible structures of the female sex organ, genitalia leading into the interior of the female reproductive tract. For humans, it includes the mons pubis, labia majora, lab ...

, in the area of

frenulum of labia minora The frenulum of labia minora (fourchette or posterior commissure of the labia minora) is a frenulum where the labia minora meet posterior (anatomy), posteriorly. Pathology The fourchette may be torn during Childbirth, delivery due to the sudden ...

. Many women do not have a pinchable flap of skin in the area, and are not suited for this piercing. Otherwise, placement and piercing tends to be relatively easy.

Placement

The fourchette piercing is most similar in location to the male guiche piercing. It requires a pinchable flap of skin at the rear rim of the vulva. Piercers should not pierce into the vaginal tissue or vaginal canal as the vaginal tissue often rejects the piercing.

Piercers

Many piercers are not willing to do this piercing. The fourchette is a rare piercing which requires the proper anatomy. Many women do not have the pinchable flap of skin, making the fourchette undoable.

Healing and aftercare

Healing time is relatively quick, as with all piercings in the genital area. Healing time is usually around four to six weeks. Hygiene is usually a concern; with the piercing's proximity to the

anus In mammals, invertebrates and most fish, the anus (: anuses or ani; from Latin, 'ring' or 'circle') is the external body orifice at the ''exit'' end of the digestive tract (bowel), i.e. the opposite end from the mouth. Its function is to facil ...

, the wearer must ensure the area is well cleaned following defecation.

Wear

Many wearers have reported that this piercing is prone to stretching on its own. Discomfort with

sexual intercourse Sexual intercourse (also coitus or copulation) is a sexual activity typically involving the insertion of the Erection, erect male Human penis, penis inside the female vagina and followed by Pelvic thrust, thrusting motions for sexual pleasure ...

has been reported by some wearers, whereas some may find it quite pleasurable. Migration and rejection of this piercing are fairly common.

References

Female genital piercings {{bodypiercing-stub