G-spot

The Gräfenberg Spot, or G-Spot, is a term used to describe the bean-shaped^[1] area of the vagina that many women report to contain an erogenous zone which when stimulated can lead to high levels of sexual arousal and powerful orgasms.^[2] It is typically located one to three inches up the front (anterior) vaginal wall between the vagina opening and the urethra.^{[citation needed]}

Although research on the G-Spot has taken place since 1981, arguments over its existence, the actual definition of the term, and its location continue in the medical field and in studies of sexuality.^[3] A study using ultrasound found women who report having vaginal orgasms do have thicker tissue in the G-Spot region, but this could be an extension of the clitoris rather than a separate structure. Another study of 1,800 twins found that 56% of women surveyed reported having a G-Spot, although this cannot be considered a representative study.^[4] Sexual psychologists are concerned women may label themselves "dysfunctional" if they cannot find a G-Spot,^[5] and women have had plastic surgery done to enhance G-Spot sensitivity.

The largest study to date on the G-Spot found its existence unproven and subjective among women.^[6] The study based its results on questionnaires and personal experience.

Woman's internal reproductive anatomy and adjacent organs

Origin

The term "G-Spot" was coined by Addiego et al. in 1981,^[7] after the German gynecologist Ernst Gräfenberg who hypothesized its existence in a paper published in 1950.^[8] The concept entered popular culture after the publication of The G Spot and Other Recent Discoveries About Human Sexuality by Ladas et al.^[2] in 1982, but it was criticized almost immediately by gynecologists.^[1]

An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 2350 professional women in the United States and Canada with a subsequent 55% return rate. Of these respondents, 40% reported having a fluid release (ejaculation) at the moment of orgasm. Further, 82% of the women who reported the sensitive area (Gräfenberg spot) also reported ejaculation with their orgasms. A number of variables were associated with this perceived existence of female ejaculation.^[9]

While not disputing vaginal responsiveness to stimulation, gynecologists and doctors continue to be skeptical of the existence of a distinct anatomical feature in the G-Spot rub zone.^[3][10][1]

Location

The G-Spot is said to be located about one to three inches inside the vagina, on the anterior wall. For some women, stimulating the G-Spot creates a more intense orgasm than clitoral stimulation.^[11]

Researchers at the University of L'Aquila have found, using ultrasonography, that women who experience vaginal orgasm are statistically more likely to have thicker tissue in the anterior vaginal wall.^[12] Dr. Tim Spector hypothesizes thicker tissue in this area may be part of the clitoris, and is not a separate erogenous zone.^[5]

Studies

Methodology

Two primary methods have been used to define and locate the G-Spot as a sensitive area in the vagina:^[13]

• the first is based on self-reported levels of arousal during stimulation;
• the second is based on the idea that stimulation of the G-Spot leads to female ejaculation.

Findings

In a published case study of one woman, it was reported that stimulation of the anterior vaginal wall made the area grow by fifty percent and that self-reported levels of arousal/orgasm were “deeper” when the G-Spot was stimulated.^[7] Another study examined eleven women by palpating the entire vagina in a clockwise fashion, and reported a specific response to stimulation of the anterior vaginal wall in four of the women.^[14]

Criticism

G-Spot proponents are criticized^{[weasel words]} for giving too much credence to anecdotal evidence, and for questionable investigative methods: for instance, the studies which have yielded positive evidence for a precisely located G-Spot involve small participant samples.^[13]

Scientific examinations of vaginal wall innervation have generally shown that there is no single area with a greater density of nerve endings.^[13] A recent study of 110 biopsy specimens drawn from 21 women concluded with the absence of a vaginal locus with greater nerve density.^[15] However, while neither the area of the anterior vaginal wall where the G-Spot is said to be located nor the Skene's gland appear to possess them, the urethral sponge, which is thought by some to be homologous to the G-Spot, does contain sensitive nerve endings as well as erectile tissue. It should also be noted that sensitivity is not determined by neuron density alone: other factors include the branching patterns of neuron terminals and cross or collateral innervation of neurons.^[16]

The existence of the G-Spot was questioned by a team at King's College London in late 2009. They acquired the largest sample size to date of 1,800 women – who are pairs of twins – and found they did not report a similar G-Spot in a questionnaire, suggesting its existence is subjective.^[4] Study co-author Dr. Andrea Burri believes: "It is irresponsible to claim the existence of an entity that has never been proven and pressurise women and men too."^[6]

Dr. Whipple dismissed the findings, pointing out that twins have different sexual partners and techniques, and that the study did not properly account for lesbian or bisexual women.^[4]

Psychology

Sexual psychologists are concerned about the promotion of the G-Spot, as it could lead to women feeling "dysfunctional" if they do not experience it. Dr. Petra Boynton points out:^[5]

We're all different. Some women will have certain area within the vagina which will be very sensitive, and some won't - but they won't necessarily be in the area called the G spot. If a woman spends all her time worrying about whether she is normal, or has a G spot or not, she will focus on just one area, and ignore everything else. It's telling people that there is a single, best way to have sex, which isn't the right thing to do.

Petra Boynton, a British scientist, has written extensively on the context of this debate.^[17]

Journal of Sexual Medicine

The Journal of Sexual Medicine is planning a debate and publications from both sides of the G-spot issue.^[4]

Skene's gland

Links between G-Spot sensitivity and female ejaculation have led to the idea that non-urine female ejaculate might originate from the female paraurethral glands, or Skene's gland: in a study by Tepper et al., tissue from 18 patients was examined and 15 showed prostate-specific antigens.^[18] More recent studies have backed up this finding, leading some to call the Skene's glands the female prostate.^[19] Consequently, it has been argued that the G-spot is a system of glands and ducts located within the anterior (front) wall of the vagina, about one centimeter from the surface and one third to one-half the way in from the vaginal opening.^[20] A similar approach has linked the G-Spot with the urethral sponge.^[21]

Many researchers have found the connection between the Skene's gland and the G-Spot to be weak.^[13][22] The Skene's gland does not seem to have receptors for touch stimulation and no direct evidence for its involvement has been forthcoming.^[23]

In addition, PDE5 activity has been linked to the area of the G-Spot and the presence of Skene's glands: in women without Skene's glands, concentrations of PDE5 are much lower.^[24] These findings make it possible for women to have a rapid test to confirm whether or not they have a G-Spot.^{[dubious – discuss][25]}

See also

Sexuality portal

• Skene's glands
• Skene's ducts
• Female ejaculation
• Human sexuality
• Human female sexuality
• The G Spot and Other Recent Discoveries About Human Sexuality (book)
• G-spot amplification

References

External links

• BBC – Relationships – Sex and sexual health – The G-Spot
• About.com – Sexuality, "What is the G-Spot?", Cory Silverberg
• About.com – How to Locate Your G Spot
• The-Clitoris.com – Female Ejaculation, the Female Prostate, and The G-Spot
• G-Spot – Female prostate during sexual arousal
• G-Spot Guide