Here’s a question that’s going to seem wildly random: do you think that we’re alone in the universe? If not, do you believe that we share our galaxy (or adjacent galaxies) with aliens? Pardon us for getting all Fox Mulder on you, but just go with it for a minute. If you believe in aliens, then you’ll probably agree that our extraterrestrial (hopefully) friends would need to be able to get from outer space point A to outer space point B at times. Perhaps in a flying object that can’t be easily identified? A UFO, if you will?
By now you’re definitely wondering what any of these questions have to do with our topic of the day, so we’ll solve the mystery for you. Some researchers have unofficially classified the G-spot as a ‘gynecological UFO.’ This space-y nickname is reference to the fact that the G-spot’s existence has never been formally acknowledged by any medical, scientific or gynecological community. Much like unidentified flying objects and the aliens that may be manning them, there have been many reported sightings, but no confirmation.
You’re free to agree or disagree with the UFO comparison, but in either case, you probably have an opinion on the matter of the G-spot. I definitely do, and all of the women I polled before writing today’s blog did, too. For instance, I 100% believe that the G-spot is a thing, or at least, that there’s a spot in my vagina that feels really really good when it’s stimulated. A friend of mine, on the other hand, replied with a definitive “nope” when I asked her if she thought the G-spot was real. While 2 people definitely doesn’t count as a legitimate study, 50/50 (give or take a percentage or two) seems to reflect the g-spot/no g-spot debate pretty well. Case in point: in 2009, a poll was conducted on 1804 identical female twins between 22 and 83 years of age. 56% of the twins reported having a G-spot, while the other 44% didn’t. Here’s the weird part though - the twin sister of a women who claimed to have a g-spot didn’t necessarily claim to have one as well. Remember: identical twins are anatomically, well, identical! So how could one twin cry G-spot while the other didn’t? What we’re saying, basically, is that this particular study didn’t help clear the air at all. We’re going to play detective today and see if we can get to the bottom of the G-spot mystery, or at least figure out why the debate of its existence is still raging. Let’s put on our investigation pants and get into it, shall we?
What’s the G-spot?
When we talk about the G-spot, we’re referencing an area of extreme feel-good (for some vagina owners) sensitivity located on the inner and upper - or anterior - vaginal wall. It’s thought to swell or enlarge when its owner is aroused, and is sometimes reported as having a rougher texture than surrounding tissue.
For some women, stimulation of this area using fingers, an adult sex toy or a penis feels extremely intense and can inspire the much-debated vaginal orgasm. For others, stimulation of the G-spot enhances clitoral stimulation and can bring on what’s known as a ‘blended’ orgasm - an orgasm resulting from inner and outer sensation. The G-spot is also thought to be the source of female ejaculation (a topic we’ll cover soon!).
The G-spot was ‘discovered’ in the early 1900’s by a German scientist and physician named Ernst Grafenberg while he was researching the role of the urethra in female orgasm. Side note: We’re prettttty sure it had been discovered by some playful people prior to Doctor G.
Is the G-spot real?
Well, no. Not anatomically, anyway. But that only means that researchers haven’t been able to pinpoint a physical, biological structure or tissue that could explain reports of intense sensitivity, orgasm or pleasure. Regardless, reports continue, so obviously there’s something going on!
Hoping to get some answers, a (slightly creepy) study last year took a very close-up look at the vaginas of 13 deceased women whose bodies had been donated to science. These women, aged 37 to 97, had their anterior vaginal walls, urethra and clitorises dissected and examined for any trace of the G-spot. The results? Nothing. The study’s official conclusion states that “The G-spot, in its current description, is not identified as a discrete anatomic entity at macroscopic dissection of the urethra or vaginal wall.” In other words, there’s no evidence of anything in or around the anterior wall of the vagina that would explain sensitivity to stimulation. The urethra is the only biological structure that exists behind the top wall of the vagina.
Researchers also noted that there’s no erectile tissue or anything that could account for reports of swelling during arousal “except where the the urethra abuts the clitoris distally.” So to summarize: there’s no physical vaginal entity that would be capable of swelling, engorging or becoming more sensitive in general. Except for the clitoris. EXCEPT FOR THE CLITORIS. This is a very important exception! Keep it in mind.
The Clitoris Theory
Even as researchers working hard to convince us that the G-spot is about as fact-based as aliens, at least one person thought there was more to explore. In a 2012 Journal of Sexual Medicine study, urology expert Dr. Amichai Kilchevsky states that even though an actual physical G-spot structure doesn’t seem to exist, “reliable reports and anecdotal testimonials of the existence of a highly sensitive area in the distal anterior vaginal wall raise the question of whether enough investigative modalities have been implemented in the search of the G‐spot.” In less science-y terms, he’s agreeing that there’s something happening in vaginas worldwide, regardless of researchers not being able to pinpoint exactly what that is.
Luckily, Dr. Helen O’Connoll, another urologist (and published clitoris expert), has a brilliant G-spot theory that just may help solve the mystery. Spoiler: it involves the clitoris.
First, some background info. Most of us think of the clitoris as the little triangle of super-sensitive (usually) tissue above the vaginal opening. That tiny peak, in actuality, is only a very small portion of a much larger and more complex internal structure known as the ‘clitoral urethral vagina complex.’ Boring name, definitely not boring function! Think of the clitoris as a wishbone, or upside-down ‘Y.’ The very tip of the straight part is all that can be seen externally - the rest reaches up into the pelvis and eventually anchors to the public bone. The two branches extend upward, running alongside the urethra and vaginal canal. Here’s the thing about those branches though: they’re surrounded by erectile tissue. When its owner gets revved up, aroused, randy, horny etc., the entire clitoris (including both internal branches with their erectile tissue!) swells, squeezing closer to the anterior vaginal wall. Yes, THAT anterior vaginal wall, otherwise known as the reported location of the mysterious G-spot.
What does all this mean? Well, if we take the fact that the internal portion of the clitoris runs parallel to the place that the G-spot is reported to be, and that the clitoris swells up when aroused, it means that what we think of as the G-spot could be (and probably is) actually the internal portion of the clitoris. So, in other words, when we, a partner or a toy presses up on the wall of the vagina, we’re actually stimulating the clitoris. Mystery solved? Maybe!
We wondered why it’s taken so long for anyone to play G-spot detective with any real, recognizable success, and we kind of hate the answer, but here it is. Maybe you know that the clitoris doesn't serve an actual, necessary bodily purpose. It exists only for pleasure. If you ask us, pleasure is a pretty important bodily function, but we aren’t scientists.
More to the point - since there’s no vital, medically or physiologically necessary purpose to the clitoris, no one’s ever bothered to study it too closely. We hypothesize that lack of research is very likely why the connection between the clitoris and the G-spot hadn’t yet been found. Let’s take a moment to thank Dr. O’Connell, or as we like to call her, the G-spot Nancy Drew.
So why do some women claim to have a G-spot while others don’t?
This question remains a mystery, actually. G-spot skeptics may simply not have explored, had a partner explore, or been in the presence of someone exploring their vagina in a way that might stimulate the G-spot (clitoral urethral vagina complex, whatever). A lack of bodily knowledge and historical radio silence around the issue of female pleasure may be to blame, as well as the very wrong assumption that penetration alone should automatically equal orgasm. We know that at least 70% of women unequivocally require external clitoral stimulation to reach orgasm, so G-spot or internal clitoris aside, most vagina owers can’t come through penis or dildo alone.
Another theory is that the tips in classic ‘How To Find the G-spot’ guides won’t work for everyone. Maybe you or someone you know has tried and failed to find the G-spot, only to assume it doesn’t exist or isn’t accessible.
We know that all bodies are different, so one G-spot seeking method (you know the one: ‘insert a finger into the vagina and press upward’) isn’t going to work for everyone. Some vaginal walls are thicker than others, for example, making the interior of the clitoris harder to reach. The exact positioning of organs, parts and sweet spots is unique to you as well. What we’re getting at is that you may need to spend some quality time with your G-spot.
Here’s a tip: if the G-spot is indeed an extension of the clitoris, then arousal is very important. Remember, the clitoris swells up internally as well as externally when you’re turned on. Watch something sexy, read something erotic, fool around with your partner for a full hour, whatever does the trick. When you’re all hot and bothered, try one of our g-spot vibrators, a curvy g-spot dildo or a finger to experiment with pressure, depth, stroking and positioning.
If, on the other hand, you’re simply not interested in G-spot stimulation, that’s fine too! Many of us (my G-spot skeptic friend included) are perfectly happy and satisfied with sex as is, and find external clitoral stimulation quite orgasmic enough, thank you very much! Really, as long as your sex life is healthy, fulfilling and positive, we’re happy.
On that note of sexy happiness, we’re going to put away our Mulder and Scully alter egos and wrap up today’s exploration of the G-spot. Remember folks, The Truth Is Out There!
