Now You See It, Now You Don’t: What’s Going On With The G-spot?

The news sites are all a-flutter with the latest news! A doctor has finally found the G-spot! [Insert your favorite joke about it being about time that a man figured out where it is. I’m getting tired of them.] This isn’t the first time that science has flip-flopped on this.

Back in 1982, sexologists Alice Kahn Ladas, M.S.S., Ed.D.,  Beverly Whipple, Ph.D., and  John D. Perry, Ph.D published The G Spot: And Other Discoveries about Human Sexuality, popularizing the name and getting the word out about this erogenous zone. And since then, the debate has raged. Some folks are convinced that the Skene’s glands, which surround the urethra and are homologous to the prostate are the G-spot. Others are of the opinion that the place where the legs of the clitoris meet are the G-spot, and it simple happens to be near the Skene’s glands.

This most recent research says that there is a small structure, pretty much where you’d expect it, and that it’s different from previously-identified tissues. The difficulty is that this research was based on the dissection of one cadaver, which means that this might not be an accurate description of people in general.

And then, of course, there are those who say that the whole G-spot thing is a myth. Given how many people I’ve talked with about the G-spot, I know it exists. For that matter, I have first-hand experience with it (literally). I don’t doubt my experiences, my lovers’ pleasures, or the stories of  the hundreds of people who I’ve spoken with.

I have to say that I’m of two minds when it comes to this whole issue. As a sex geek, I’m really curious to know what the sexually sensitive tissues are. I think it’s a really interesting question and even if it doesn’t change how sex educators talk about the G-spot or how people enjoy it, I’d like to know.

But when it comes down to it, my sex educator side doesn’t really care. I’m much more focused on helping people discover new ways to enjoy sex, craft happier relationships, and release the shame that holds so many of them back. Knowing that someone is having a healthier relationship or more fun during sex (not to mention, more amazing orgasms) makes me really happy. And from that perspective, it doesn’t really matter which bit of tissue is responsible for the yummy sensations. They’re all packed pretty close together and I’m not sure that it’s even possible to stimulate one without the other, so it’s not really relevant which one you’re getting since you’re getting it regardless.

But even with my sex educator hat on, there are a few different things about this ongoing issue that do bother me.

First, the way that these studies are reported only adds to the confusion. For example, headlines like G-Spot Found? and G-spot ‘does exist’ add to the relentless pressure many people feel around their sexual experiences. For some people, the G-spot can be rather elusive, especially when they don’t have enough information. For example, the G-spot engorges during arousal, making it both easier to locate and more pleasurable. So if your partner isn’t turned on and you just go poking around, it might not work as well as you’d hoped. Unfortunately, plenty of people who don’t know these useful tips get discouraged and upset because of the hype in magazines and news sites. Many of them become convinced that there’s something wrong with them because science has proven that the G-spot exists and they can’t find it.

Another big problem I have with the current hype about the G-spot, as well as most of the previous popular articles, is that they’re often based on limited research or bad science. Dr. Petra does a great job explaining that here, here, and here. I understand that news sites are more focused on SEO and getting clicks, but the incessant, breathless prose and headlines make my job harder because they oversimplify the information we have. Sex educators and therapists end up having to deal with the fallout from that and it annoys me.

I also think it’s frustrating that most of these news reports ignore the stories of people who experience G-spot pleasure and their partners. Coincidentally, the day before all of this news hit, Good Vibrations released the results of our G-spot survey, in which we asked people to share their experiences of G-spot pleasure. We confirmed many things we’d been hearing from customers for years, as well as discovering a few surprises. Even if you’re a G-spot aficionado, take a look at it. I think you’ll enjoy it.

If you want some actual information about the G-spot and how to enjoy it, here are some really good places to get started.