The g-spot is a small, highly sensitive area that is located on the anterior wall of the human vagina, usually about a third of the way up from the vaginal opening. Its full name is the 'Gräfenberg spot' and is named after Ernst Gräfenberg, the pioneering German gynaecologist who first wrote about it in 1950, in a paper where he discussed the role of the urethra in the female orgasm. He is also credited as having invented the first intrauterine device (better known as 'the coil') in 1929, which is called the 'Gräfenberg ring'.
The term 'g-spot' was first used by Addiego et al in 1981 in a paper that they penned on female ejaculation, crediting Dr. Gräfenberg as having been the first to mention such an area in scientific literature. The g-spot then came into popular consciousness in 1982 with the publication of a book on human sexuality (Ladas et al, 1982) . Since then, its existence has been hotly debated, both in the scientific community and in the bedroom.
Yes, but what *is* it?
The g-spot is made up of a cluster of glands surrounding the urethra called Skene's glands. These glands are now usually referred to as the female prostate. These paraurethral glands are histologically identical to the glandular tissue of the male prostate, and can be stained with prostate specific antigen (PSA), a marker that is used to histologically identify prostate tissue. This antigen is non-specific and can identify both normal and pathologically altered prostatic tissue. It is normally used as part of clinical practise to diagnose and monitor prostatic disease in men.
The male prostate is responsible for the watery portion of semen. Similarly, it is thought that the female prostate is responsible for the production of the ejaculate that is sometimes associated with the female orgasm; specifically g-spot orgasms but occasionally clitoral orgasms. As yet, there is little published research into what the composition of this female ejaculate is. Most of the research has been directed at proving that it is not urine. So far, analysis has shown that it contains higher levels of glucose and prostatic acid phosphatase than urine. It has also been found to contain PSA, which is not normally found in either urine or, interestingly, male ejaculate.
Where is it? And why is it so hard to find?
This glandular prostatic tissue is contained between the urethra and the anterior wall of the vagina. Stimulation of this area through the vaginal wall causes the tissue (which includes the clitoris) to swell with blood. As yet, there has been little research into the nervous supply of the area, but subjective evidence from women suggests that the orgasms resulting from stimulation of this area are different from those caused by stimulation of the clitoris.
If, despite all attempts, a woman is unable to achieve a g-spot orgasm, it may be due to anatomy rather than any lack of effort on her partner's behalf. Recent investigation into the functional anatomy of the g-spot has led to the discovery that some women have, in comparison to other women, little to no prostatic tissue (d'Amatia et al, 2002). This means that there is nothing to stimulate, and so it'd be very unlikely, functionally, that they'd be able to achieve a g-spot orgasm. It is estimated that around 15% of the female population are affected in this way.
It must be remembered though that the female orgasm is a tricky thing at the best of times. While men have but the single brain centre to deal with the state of orgasm, women have at least four. Women also tend to have a broad range of sexual issues, from failure to achieve orgasm to not actually wanting to have sex. Achieving orgasm for most women requires more than physical stimulation. There is also a subtle blend of emotional and mental issues that her partner, and even the woman herself, may not be aware of. So don't despair, it may not be anatomy (or lack of) that is causing a failure with regard to locating that elusive g-spot.
Hope may be in sight as further research is directed into the use of viagra and other similar drugs in the treatment of female sexual dysfunction. It has been found that women who possess prostate tissue also produce a substance called 5-phosphodiesterase (PDE5) (d'Amatia et al, 2002). This substance inactivates nitric oxide, a chemical that is instrumental in the triggering and maintenance of erections in men. Viagra works by blocking the action of PDE5, which then allows the nitric oxide to do its thing. It was hoped that in women who do produce PDE5, viagra (and similar substances) would have a beneficial effects on those who are experiencing sexual dysfunction. Recent trials have not backed this theory up, but this is most probably due to the multi-factorial basis of female sexual dysfunction.
I want one / to give one. What should I do?
If you want to have a g-spot orgasm, the best advice is to get lots of practice in. Having a partner who knows what they're doing is a bonus, but not essential. The preferred method of stimulation is usually your partner's finger making (when you're facing them) a beckoning motion in the vagina. Other people find that certain sexual positions where the penis hits the front wall of the vagina (such as when you hook your legs up over your partner's shoulders from the missionary position) or vibrators are a better choice. It is important that you are able to talk to your partner to tell them what's working and what's not. Shyness is not going to get you anywhere in this particular quest.
The advice to those attempting to give the g-spot orgasm is to move around the front wall of the vagina until you, for want of a better phrase, hit the spot. You'll know when you have, because your partner will say that she is feeling a strong urge to pee. Don't stop. If it all goes to plan, she'll end up screaming blue murder and unable to form coherent sentences. For those on the receiving end of all this stimulation, the best description I've heard of a g-spot orgasm is First I wanted to pee. Then the top of my head fell off, and my toes curled up. To me, this sentence serves to simultaneously understate and perfectly describe the wonderfulness that is the g-spot.
References
- Addiego F, Belzer E G, Comolli J, Moger W, Perry J D, Whipple B, 1981,
Female ejaculation: a case study. J Sex Res 1981; 17:1-13.
- d'Amatia G, di Gioiaa C R T, Bolognab M, Giordanoc D, Giorgic M, Dolcid S, Janninib E A, 2002,
Type 5 phosphodiesterase expression in the human vagina , Urology 2002; 60(1):191-195
- Gräfenberg E, 1950,
The role of the urethra in female orgasm. Int J Sexology 1950; 3:145-8
- Ladas A K, Whipple B, Perry J D, 1982,
The G spot and other discoveries about human sexuality , 1st edition, New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston.
- Zaviacic M, 1999,
The human female prostate. Bratislava: Slovak Academic Press; 1999
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