In addition to being an adornment, a clitoral hood piercing can enhance sexual pleasure during masturbation, foreplay and intercourse.

In an empirical study at the University of South Alabama, the authors reported a positive relationship between vertical clitoral hood piercings and desire, frequency of intercourse, and sexual arousal.

The extremely high density of sensory nerve endings in the glans of the clitoris enables it to be exceptionally sensitive to stimulation.

Clitoral hood piercings also have rather short healing times, due to the amount of blood circulation to the area.

[6] During the healing period, the piercing is a wound and can increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections.

Surgical gloves are recommended when cleaning the pierced area, and during masturbation or digital stimulation by a partner.

Excessive pressure due to fat or sagging in the pubic mound area would preclude a vertical clitoral hood piercing.

Barbells, J-bars and other bar-style jewelry are common in vertical hood piercings, and both captive bead rings (also called ball capture rings or BCRs) and barbells are common in horizontal hood piercings.