Ever since it was first studied in the 1940s, the G-spot has been wildly controversial. People who experience G-spot orgasms know they're possible, and people who haven’t had internal orgasms may wonder whether something is wrong with them.
That earnest and often fruitless hunt for a mythical “spot” prompted sex researchers to reevaluate how we think about Herr Gräfenberg’s “discovery”. You may have seen popular-science articles declaring that the G-spot doesn’t exist – a sensational headline for sure, and, like many sensational headlines, not entirely accurate.
The G-spot is real – but it’s not just a magical little region in the vagina that produces orgasms when massaged with a come-hither motion. It represents the interplay of multiple anatomical structures, with a brand-new name…
.... the Clitoral Urethral Vagina Complex.
Which sounds like the world headquarters of a gynecological cult. Don’t worry, you can still call it the G-spot if you want – we sometimes do too.
So what is the CUV, and what does it mean for your orgasms (or your partner’s)?
All Hail the Clitoris
You’ve seen the high school sex ed textbook illustrations. Maybe you’ve explored a partner’s vulva, or taken a look at your own in a mirror. To the naked eye, the clitoris looks like a small hooded button positioned at the upper junction of the labia minora. It’s home to over 8000 nerve endings, and is the only human organ dedicated solely to pleasure. In short, it rules.
And that little button is the tip of the proverbial iceberg. It turns out that the clitoris is actually a large, wishbone-shaped, mostly-internal organ with “wings” that extend along the pubic bone and back around the opening of the vagina. (Those lower wings contribute to the swelling and heightened sensation of arousal.)
That’s a lot of nerve endings, distributed pretty widely throughout the pelvis. And there are plenty of ways to stimulate them, beyond stroking the clitoral shaft and head. When you massage anywhere in the genital region, including inside the vagina, or even if you simply contract and release your pelvic floor muscles, you’re actually stimulating the clitoris – which is everywhere.
X Marks The Spot – Or Not
If you google “G-spot”, you’ll find the same description repeated all over the place: “an area about 2-3 inches up the front wall of the vagina, that swells during arousal”. Sex-positive how-tos always seem to mention a “come-hither” finger motion as well, and the resulting intense sensations.
That swelling is caused by a spongy tissue that wraps around the urethra, between the bladder and vagina, also known as the “urethral sponge” (what is with these incredibly unsexy names, anyway?). The spongy tissue’s size and placement varies widely from person to person, which may contribute to G-spot orgasms’ elusiveness.
It is also important to note that out of all of the erectile tissue a person with a vulva may have, the urethral sponge is usually the last to become fully engorged - meaning any type of stimulation that happens will feel best when you are already highly aroused.
But Wait, There’s More
In addition to the legendary G-spot, there are other often-overlooked erogenous zones inside the vagina. They may not get it done for everyone, but if you’re looking to expand your pleasure and orgasm horizons, a little exploration is always worth trying.
What Your Cervix Can Do For You
It all depends on the type of stimulation – the cervix can be very sensitive. Some people don’t enjoy pressure on the cervix at all, especially as a result of too-vigorous thrusting. Others experience a great deal of pleasure from cervical stimulation, and cervical orgasms are described as feeling very different from vaginal or clitoral Os – like a wave radiating out from the center of your body.
If you’ve never felt your cervix before, give it a try with your finger while squatting (it makes it easier to find). It’ll feel like the end of a slippery nose. It may also be very sensitive when you’re highly aroused, so go slowly and be gentle.
There’s An A-Spot Too?
There is, and we’re starting to think we should publish an alphabetical anatomical guidebook. Its proper name is the Anterior Fornix Erogenous Zone, yet another in a long line of unsexy tongue twisters that can mean very sexy times.
It’s located in front of the cervix, resting just above the bladder, and stimulating it can cause increased vaginal lubrication quickly. Depending on how deep the vagina in question is, the A-spot might be out of reach of fingers. This is a great application for a slim wand toy.
Explore And Be Rewarded
The “G-spot” is actually a powerful partnership between the urethral sponge and our friend the clitoris, only one component of a deep-rooted network. Who knew? We’re walking around all day with a genius network of potential pleasure that we may not even be aware of.
But it’s never, ever too late to get to know your own unique pleasure landscape – with a partner or alone. Just remember to take your time, be patient with yourself, and pay attention to what feels good – and whole new orgasmic worlds may reveal themselves.
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