The conversation around the G-spot began nearly 80 years ago when German gynecologist Ernest Grafenberg published a paper describing an “erotic zone.” The paper went on to explain that the “front wall of the vagina” can lead to intense orgasms when stimulated and can sometimes even cause ejaculation.
This area was formally identified as the G-spot in honor of Grafenberg’s analysis and ever since the concept has really solidified itself as a hot, controversial topic in culture.
For the most part, the existence of the G-spot is a forgone conclusion and sex experts have long provided education around its stimulation.
Among some sex researchers, however, the concept of the G-spot has been a point of debate for many years. While some scientists have gone as far as to say that they have physical proof of the area, others have deemed the G-spot as nothing more than a myth. In light of this, some researchers have referred to the G-spot as a “gynecological UFO,” meaning there have been many possible encounters, but its actual existence is still up in the air.
A recent study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine aimed to put this controversy to rest by providing one of the most intensive anatomic explorations of the G-spot we’ve seen thus far. Their conclusions suggest that we may need to start thinking differently about what the G-spot really is.
The report detailed findings from dissections of the front wall of the vagina (the area where the G-spot is thought to exist) in 13 female cadavers. What they found was that, across all cadavers, there was no evidence of any such anatomic structure, at least not one that was visible to the naked eye.
So what does this mean for the belief of the G-spot? While it’s true that the researchers leading this study didn’t see an area consistent with the G-spot, a microscopic analysis of the tissues in that area is also needed to confirm its absence. In layman’s terms, we’d still need a thorough follow-up study to rule out the possibility that the G-spot can only be seen under a high powered microscope.
With all of that said, the fact that we’re still debating whether the G-spot does or doesn’t exist almost 80 years after it was first proposed is a sign that female genital anatomy hasn’t received the amount of scientific attention it deserves. It can also speak to why nearly 70% of adult American women report they haven’t had an orgasm in their lifetime. Here’s to hoping “gynecological UFO” is a term we can get rid of soon.
Jasmine Browley holds an MA in journalism from Columbia College Chicago, and has contributed to Ebony, Jet and MADE Magazine among others. So, clearly, she knows some stuff. Follow her digital journey @JasmineBrowley.