What is the G-Spot?
Where Did All This Begin?
First, it’s important to note that while there has been much information published on the G-Spot, by many respected researchers; it would seem prudent for this overview discussion to only address the historical milestones to date, rather than list all the contrasting viewpoints. So, where did this all begin? It started back in the early fifties, when Dr. Ernest Grafenberg, a noted medical researcher and OB-GYN practitioner (also the inventor of the IUD), published his article, The Role of Urethra in Female Orgasm, in the International Journal of Sexology1, which he likened to the spongy tissue in a male’s penis. Identifying the network of nerves and vascular structures surrounding the female’s urethra, similar to the prostate gland in a man, he noted that “Analogous to the male urethra, the female urethra also seems to be surrounded by erectile tissues like the corpora cavernosa. In the course of sexual stimulation, the female urethra begins to enlarge and can be felt easily. It swells out greatly at the end of orgasm. The most stimulating part is located at the posterior urethra, where it arises from the neck of the bladder.”3
Dr. Grafenberg, in his discussions, had alluding to the possibility of intraurethral glands, yet unknown in their constituency or exact location, that even allowed a woman to secrete a “clear transparent fluid” from the urethra after stimulation and specifically during orgasm. Examination of this fluid found no similarity to urine at all; according to Dr. Grafenberg, lending further support for his findings. However, this observation was later disputed with some scientists reporting that the fluid is indeed, very similar to urine. Nevertheless, there’s little, if any consensus on the chemical constituency of this fluid to date.
Shortly thereafter, Alfred Kinsey and other researchers at the Kinsey Institute did sensitivity testing on the genital structures of the female to determine the most likely erogenous zones, including the clitoris, vaginal canal and other anatomical areas. The data was reported in Dr. Kinsey’s published work, Sexual Behavior in the Human Female2. He and other researchers identified the clitoris as the primary sensitivity node for sexual stimulation in women, and that the vaginal canal was much less responsive to sensitivity but noted that to a lesser degree, the sensitivity that did occur was confined to the upper front of the vagina (towards the tummy) at the forward, or anterior position. In short, they discovered an anatomical area where many women reported increased sensitivity other than the clitoris. However, soon afterward, they discounted their findings by aligning this new-found sensitivity (the upper vaginal opening) to this area’s proximity to the probability of buried clitoral structures. As well, it’s important to note that many other researchers have NOT concluded what Dr. Grafenberg discovered—that such an area exists, or is an area where penile (or alternative) stimulation can produce female sexual climax. Still, this detailed research opened the door to further exploration regarding multiple arousal sites in the female anatomy.
Years later, in honor of Dr. Grafenberg’s work, the general location he discovered, was labeled the “G-Spot”, though by even Dr. Grafenberg’s descriptions it was not really a spot, but an area that extended, subvaginally, in an elongated oval fashion from the neck of the woman’s bladder and terminated at the distal end (the opening…) of the urethra. This area on the front inner side of the vaginal wall, beneath the vaginal surface that surrounds the female urethra is supposedly filled with blood vessels and highly innervated (nerve endings)—although some pathologists have confirmed that they’ve NOT found any such evidence of a vascular/innervated area. A number of physiologists have likened this area to the spongy tissue of the male’s penis structures, and it is perhaps a vestigial remnant of the differentiated tissue. Similarly, in males, this region below the shaft of the penis surrounding the urethra of the man is highly sensitive and can cause significant reaction when touched. This may be the same in the female, as both species are identical early in their embryological development. Only with fetal maturation and hormonal introduction (testosterone and estrogen) is there considerable species differentiation. This region is commonly called the “Urethral Sponge,” but it’s also been referred to as the “Urethral Spine.” However, it’s very, very important to note that because of the difficulty of physiological and anatomical access to the area, many physicians have NOT acknowledged that there are any significant functional sexual benefits from stimulation of this region.
The anatomical existence, importance, and physiology of the G-spot has become a hotly debated topic in sexual medicine circles, and several peer-reviewed scientific papers have appeared in respected scientific journals over the past few years. (ref. 4-9). Those interested may view the original articles or the Abstracts by visiting “Pubmed,” (). Basically, these articles confirm the existence of a very sensitive area within the lower anterior vaginal wall. This area has been verified by ultrasonography and is located adjacent to the “root” of the clitoral complex (the clitoris is not just what you see “up front,” but has a richly innervated root-like structure which buries itself in the anterior vaginal wall, around the area of the “…G-spot”.) Some studies have noted a “gland-like” aspect to this area in many (not all) women, and have anatomically located tissue analogous to the male prostate—thus its nickname “female prostate.” Credible evidence exists in the literature to verify the existence of a “female ejaculation” in some women from this area which may be analogous to the male prostate. This “space” has been located—measured by both ultrasound and MRI—and at least one study purports to correlate the ability to experience a vaginally activated orgasm with the size/thickness of this anatomical area.
The clitoris and outer portion of the vagina should be viewed as a unit, not as separate structures; they are intimately entwined and frequently function as a unit. This may be why surgery to build up the perineum and vaginal opening (perineoplasty) and to tighten the vagina (vaginoplasty) increases sexual enjoyment—they “push” the penis upward, supplying more pressure against both the clitoral glans (outside) and the clitoral root/”G-spot” (inside.)
G-Spot Access and Stimulation
While its existence or function in the sexual arousal role is still somewhat controversial, many women have reported that if this region is accessed, either via penile stimulation, or other method, they will have enhanced climaxes. Dr. Grafenberg noted that to achieve stimulation would require the woman to resort back to what is termed, “phylogenetic ancestry”, a far cry from what is today the widely accepted “missionary position”. While socially (and/or religiously accepted) predominant, this form of sexual access does NOT allow for the natural stimulation of this region by the male’s penis. In Grafenberg’s words, “the penis does not reach the urethral part of the vaginal wall, unless the angle of the erected male organ is very steep . . .”1 Furthermore, Dr. Grafenberg states, as do other doctors, that the female must elevate her legs substantially, even over the shoulders of her mate to achieve stimulation of this area in the missionary position. At the very least she needs to have her thighs drawn up to her chest to allow for the stimulation of this region. But, the best position and one dating back to when humans were quadrupeds, is with the female penetrated from behind to garner maximum stimulation of the G-Spot area, according to several noted medical researchers (Grafenberg, LeMon).
Does G-Spot Stimulation Work In Everyone?
Simply stated, G-Spot stimulation does not affect every woman in the same way. It’s even reported that less than ten percent of all women ever achieve sexual climax as a result of natural or artificial stimulation of this region. Still, many women have reported that they DO get sexual satisfaction from stimulation of the G-Spot. As well, many women have read about enhancing or enlarging (engorging) this region via artificial fillers or fat transfer that can be achieved via surgical procedures. But, before discussing the options of enhancement or enlargement of the region, it would seem appropriate to first address the issue of vaginal capacity and/or diameter.
In many younger women, those who have not had children yet, the vaginal birth canal generally is closed at rest; its walls completely touching in a normal sedentary position. After childbirth, in many women (not all), due to the stretching of the muscles that make up the walls of the vagina to permit the baby’s head to pass, there is generally an expansion of this tissue whereby the walls are no longer in contact, hence permitting greater space in the once closed area. As a result, what was once a tightly closed circumferential tube has now been compromised somewhat and enlarged. Generally, this area is now looser than before childbirth, despite any number of physical exercises (Kegel exercises) that might be employed to tighten the pelvic floor area () again to its pre-birth state. There have been some discussions that this additional “looseness” might make it virtually impossible to attain enough enlargement of the “G-Spot” area to permit sufficient friction necessary to achieve sexual climax because of the increase in overall diameter of the vagina. In these instances, a woman might consider a tightening of the vaginal diameter/circumference, or vaginoplasty, before addressing the need/desire to enlarge the G-Spot. Additionally, a vaginoplasty is usually a permanent procedure, tightening the entire vaginal canal, and thereby naturally enabling more friction against the G-Spot by the penis naturally. Additionally, she may consider a perineoplasty along with her vaginoplasty, tightening and elevating the vaginal opening so as to provide more pressure/friction of the penis against the clitoris and mons pubis by re-establishing the pre-childbirth angle of the vaginal opening If, after sufficient circumferential reduction is achieved in the vagina via vaginoplasty/perineoplasty, the woman still desires to have the G-Spot area enhanced, they should ONLY seek those physicians who are certified experts and have training and experience in the enlargement of this region.
There are a number of physicians who are now performing enhancement of enlargement of the G-Spot region. The procedure is still rather expensive and is generally considered a temporary procedure. The procedure involves the surgical placement of Hyaluronic Acid formulations including Restylane®, Juvéderm® and others into this area via injection. These dermal fillers generally have limited life span in that they are usually re-absorbed by tissue naturally after a period of time, usually needing to be repeated within three to six months, and rarely lasting beyond a year.
References:
1,3 The Role of Urethra in Female Orgasm, International Journal of Sexology, 1950.
2 Sexual Behavior in the Human Female, Kinsey, A.C., Pomeroy, W.B., Martin, C.E., & Gebhard, P.H. (1953). W.B. Saunders. (Paperback–New York: Pocket Books, 1965).
4 Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Female Prostate Pathology, F. Wimpissinger MD, R. Tscherney MD and Walter Stackl MD. Journal of Sexual Medicine 2009; 6:1704-1711.
5 Measurement of the Thickness of the Urethrovaginal Space in Women with or without Vaginal Orgasm, G. Gravina MD, PhD, F. Brandetti MD, P Martini MD, PhD, E. Jannini MD, et al. Journal of Sexual Medicine 2008; 5:610-618.
6 The History of Female Ejaculation, J. Korda MD, S. Goldstein BA, F. Sommer MD. Journal of Sexual Medicine 2010;7:1965-1975.
7 The Clitoral Complex: A Dynamic Study, P. Foldes MD and O. Buisson MD. Journal of Sexual Medicine 2009;6:1223-1231.
8 PCOS and Urethrovaginal Space: 3-D Volumetric and Vascular Analysis, C. Battaglia MD, PhD, R Nappi MD, F Mancini et al Journal of Sexual Medicine 2010;7:2755-2764.
9 Coitus as Revealed by Ultrasound in One Volunteer Couple, O. Buisson MD, P Foldes MD, E. Jannini MD and S. Mimoun. Journal of Sexual Medicine 2010;7:2750-2754.