It is a relatively uncommon piercing by choice because of the potential for nerve damage,[1] and because many may find it too stimulating to allow the constant wearing of a small ring or barbell.

[1] The clitoris is endowed with a very high concentration of nerve endings, and like male genital piercings which penetrate the glans penis, clitoral piercings can be extremely sexually stimulating when subjected to gentle manipulation, or vibration.

Thus, they have popularity in certain BDSM cultures, where small heavy ornaments are often fitted to increase the sensation.

Piercer Elayne Angel stated that of the "very small number of women who genuinely desire a clitoris piercing (rather than the more common clitoral hood piercing), 90 to 95 percent are not suitably built to accommodate jewelry through the clitoral head.

In 1989, piercer Jim Ward, interviewed by Andrea Juno in Modern Primitives, stated "I've been in the business for over 10 years and I haven't done more than half a dozen clit piercings.