The Quest For The ‘G-spot’

What is the “G-spot” and how to find it?

Dear Dr G,

I read with amusement the change of name of your column from “Asking Dr G” to putting “Dr G on the spot”. I am sure you can live up to the challenge.

I have read your articles in the past and was intrigued by the subjects you addressed. Although your “ice-breaking” style of discussing embarrassing subjects with lighthearted references is very effective, I still think you do not deal with issues of female sexual health much in the past.

Since the subject matter you brought up is “G-spot”, I would like to find out more about the matter.

What exactly is G-spot? Is that the same thing as clitoris?

Does G-spot exist in all women?

Yours truly,

Kay

The German gynecologist Ernst Grafenberg, who was famous in developing the cancer spreading theory (Grafenberg theory) and the first Inter Uterine Device (IUD) for contraception (Grafenberg ring), would not have imagined his name “G” is dedicated to the most illusive spot for sexual stimulation in women.

To be fair, the scientific quest for such erotic zone in the vagina began way before Grafenberg.

The 17th century Dutch physician Regnier de Graaf noted the erogenous zone in the vagina having the ability to ejaculate and compare the zone with the male counterpart as the prostate.

In 1940s, Grafenberg did some research for urethral stimulation in women and stated: “An erotic zone always could be demonstrated on the anterior wall of the vagina along the course of the urethra.”

The interest in his work resurfaced in 1981, and the term “G-spot” was first coined by Addiego naming after Grafenberg.

The question I am often asked by whispering men in the clinic, is “what is the G-spot and how to find it?”

In a scientific angle, this is “an erogenous area within the vagina when stimulated will generate intense sexual arousal response. Such response will generate contraction of the vagina muscles, and eventually leading to powerful climax with the potential of female ejaculation”.

Sounds far fetch? The very existence of the G-spot is indeed a hotly debated subject among experts and sexologists.

The location of the G-spot is typically reported as being 5cm to 8cm inside the vaginal opening, on the front wall, behind the urethra.

The region is distinctively different from the clitoris, which is a visible button-like portion of the upper junction of the inner lips of the vagina.

In the male equivalent, the G-spot is usually compared to the prostate and the clitoris is paired with the glans penis.

Similarly in men and women, both organs are reportedly responding differently during sexual stimulation.

The direct tactile stimulation of the clitoris is often possible, but the G-spot stimulation is often achievable with sexual penetrations.

Many postulated G-spot is an extension of the clitoris and this is the same orgasm experienced by women during intercourse.

The existence of G-spot has undergone the scrutiny of science in the past few decades.

Numerous investigations including vaginal biopsy, biochemical analysis of the secretion, autopsy studies, twins comparisons, MRI imaging and ultrasound localisation had been carried out and no conclusive evidence of its exact existence had been agreed upon.

In a 2009 debate on the issue of G-spot published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine concluded the existence was unproven and experience of G-spot stimulation was subjective and widely variable.

However, British researchers raised a concern that the “medicalisation” of the G-spot is unhelpful, as women and their partners may consider themselves to be dysfunctional if the G-spot experience is not achieved!

The public media would lead us to believe that the G-spot is a well-characterised “switch” that is capable of providing women with extreme sexual pleasure and stimulation.

Although the anecdotal reports have been convincing, the scientific evidence to date is far from the truth.

Dr G has a different take on this matter, as he thinks the quest for the G-spot itself (“G-quest”, named after Dr G) is a lot more interesting as it allows couples to explore the likes and dislikes in their bedroom.

This will open up a healthy communication, leading to lasting loving relationships. After all, it is the journey that is important, and not the destination!