The Story and Sensation of Genital Piercings

Genital piercings might sound like a modern rebellion, but they’ve been around far longer than your local piercing studio. Across centuries and cultures, people have been decorating, modifying, and enhancing their most intimate parts, sometimes for ritual, sometimes for sex, sometimes simply for beauty.

In ancient India, references to genital adornments can be found in the Kama Sutra and other erotic texts, where rings and piercings were used to enhance pleasure during penetration. In parts of Southeast Asia, men wore what were known as “palang” piercings , a bar through the penis, which served both as a rite of passage and as a sexual enhancement, intensifying sensation for partners.

Among some Indigenous communities in South America and Africa, genital piercings and modifications were tied to fertility rituals and adulthood ceremonies, seen as both protective charms and marks of readiness. They weren’t just erotic, they carried deep social and spiritual significance.

Fast forward to Europe, and things get… complicated. The infamous Prince Albert piercing, supposedly favoured by Queen Victoria’s husband, is one of the most mythologized piercings in history. Legend has it that the piercing allowed the prince to “tuck” himself neatly into the tight trousers of the era. Whether that’s fact or Victorian gossip, the story alone gave the piercing its royal (and very cheeky) name.

By the mid-20th century, genital piercings were pushed underground, surviving quietly in queer and kink communities. In the 1970s and 80s, they resurfaced loudly, tied to punk aesthetics, leather culture, and the body modification movement. Piercings became more than jewellery, they became symbols of rebellion, self-ownership, and sexual liberation.

Today, genital piercings sit at the intersection of history and intimacy. They can be spiritual, sensual, political, or playful. They carry thousands of years of cultural meaning, while also existing as intensely personal acts of self-expression. Whether you’re drawn to the symbolism, the history, or the thrill of new sensations, each piercing carries a legacy that goes far beyond the needle.

People choose genital piercings for all sorts of reasons. Some want to explore sensation, like a clitoral hood piercing that teases without directly touching the clitoris, or a Prince Albert that can bring extra pleasure to you or your partner during penetration. Others do it to reclaim their bodies, to say this is mine, I get to play how I want, I get to look how I want. Some do it simply because it’s beautiful, a secret piece of jewellery for a body only you (and maybe your partner) get to see.

Every piercing has its own story. Shaft piercings like the frenum, ampallang, or apadravya are bold, intense, and unforgettable. Labia piercings can be subtle or show-stopping, adding extra sensation or just a little extra shine to your most intimate parts. The thrill isn’t just physical, it’s about claiming your body, your pleasure, and your confidence.

Yes, genital piercings take care and patience. Healing can be weeks or months, and working with a professional piercer is non-negotiable. Implant-grade titanium, niobium, or gold keeps irritation at bay. Gentle cleaning, avoiding friction, and listening to your body will make sure your new addition heals safely, and feels amazing once it’s ready to play.

And here’s the best part: genital piercings aren’t just about looks or sensation. They’re about pleasure in every sense. Pleasure in exploration. Pleasure in confidence. Pleasure in being unapologetically, fully yourself. Pair a piercing with something like Please’s Pleasure Points massage oil, and suddenly your body isn’t just adorned, it’s celebrated.

Piercings are personal. They’re playful. They’re powerful. Whether you’re dipping your toes in with something subtle or going all in with a statement piece, every new addition is a reminder that your body, your pleasure, and your self-expression are yours, to explore, enjoy, and live out loud.

Team Please