G-spot

Woman's internal reproductive anatomy.

The Gräfenberg spot, or G-spot, is a female erogenous zone which when stimulated leads to high levels of sexual arousal and powerful orgasms.^[1]

Origin and popularity of the term

The term "G-spot" was coined by Addiego et al. in 1981,^[2] after the German gynaecologist Ernst Gräfenberg who hypothesized its existence in a paper published in 1950.^[3] The concept entered popular culture after the publication of The G Spot and Other Recent Discoveries About Human Sexuality by Ladas et al.^[1] in 1982, but it was criticized almost immediately by gynaecologists.^[4]

The existence of a G-spot has been widely accepted by the public, and most popular sexology books treat it as fact. In one study of female ejaculation, 84% of the approximately 1300 professional women who responded reported a sensitive area in the vagina, and this was correlated with those who also reported ejaculation.^[5]

Gynecologists and doctors continue to be skeptical of the existence of the G-spot.^[6][7][8]

Search for a sensitive area

Methodology

Two primary methods have been used to define and locate the G-spot as a sensitive area in the vagina:^[9]

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

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.^[2] 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.^[10]

Criticism

G-spot proponents are criticized 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.^[9]

Scientific examinations of vaginal wall innervation have generally shown that there is no single area with a greater density of nerve endings.^[9] A recent study of 110 biopsy specimens drawn from 21 women concluded with the absence of a vaginal locus with greater nerve density.^[11] However, sensitivity is not determined by neuron density alone: other factors include the branching patterns of neuron terminals and cross or collateral innervation of neurons.

Skene's gland and other approaches

See also: Skene's gland and urethral sponge

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.^[12] More recent studies have backed up this finding, leading some to call the Skene's glands the female prostate.^[13] 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.^[14] A similar approach has linked the G-spot with the urethral sponge.^[15]

Many researchers have found the connection between the Skene's gland and the G-spot to be weak.^[9][16] The Skene's gland does not seem to have receptors for touch stimulation and no direct evidence for its involvement has been forthcoming.^[17]

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.^[18] 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.^[19] Researchers state that these findings make it possible for women to have a rapid test to confirm whether or not they have a G spot.^[20]

See also

• Human sexuality
• Human female sexuality

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