fourchette piercing
{{Short description|Female genital piercing}}
{{Infobox Piercing
| name = Fourchette
| nicknames =
| image = Fourchette foto.jpg
| image_size = 200px
| location = Frenulum of labia minora
| jewelry =
}}
A fourchette piercing is a female genital piercing. It is a piercing done at the rear rim of the vulva, in the area of frenulum of labia minora. Many women do not have a pinchable flap of skin in the area, and are not suited for this piercing.{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Traci C. |date=2021-08-09 |title=Possible Medical Risks of Vaginal Piercings |url=https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/vaginal-clitoris-piercings |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=WebMD |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Kassel |first=Gabrielle |last2=Trubow |first2=Wendie |date=2020-01-28 |title=Everything You've Ever Wanted To Know About Vagina Piercings |url=https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/vagina-piercing-risks-benefits-photos |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=mindbodygreen |language=en}} Piercers should not pierce into the vaginal tissue or vaginal canal as the vaginal tissue often rejects the piercing.{{Cite web |date=2021-12-28 |title=Genital Piercing Types That You Must Know |url=https://bodyartguru.com/genital-piercing-types/ |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=Body Art Guru |language=en-US}}
Piercers
Many piercers are not willing to do this piercing.{{Cite web |last=Rivera |first=Isabella |date=2023-01-26 |title=Many Piercers Refuse to Do These Piercings For a Reason |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/many-piercers-refuse-to-do-these-piercings-for-a-reason/ar-AA16LvNo |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=MSN |language=en-US}} 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, 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 has been reported by some wearers,{{Cite web |date=2021-04-18 |title=How Getting a Vulva Piercing Could Affect Your Orgasms |url=https://www.allure.com/story/vulva-piercing-guide |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=Allure |language=en-US}} whereas some may find it quite pleasurable. Migration and rejection of this piercing are fairly common.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}