Vaginal orgasm – truth or myth – scientists claim to have the answer…

Anatomical Diagram Way back in 1970 Anna Koedt wrote The Myth of the Vaginal Orgasm arguing that the vagina is not designed as a pleasure centre and therefore attributions of frigidity based on not reaching vaginal climax (as opposed to clitoral climax) were a construction of patriarchal masculinity. However, Emmanuele Jannini at the University of L’Aquila in Italy now claims that there are physiological differences which mean some women have the elusive G-spot (and therefore vaginal orgasms) and some don’t.

Jannini’s work began with biochemical markers relating to heightened sexual function in the tissue between the urethra and the vagina however there was no way to link these to the experience of vaginal orgasm. This led her to do gynecological scans which have revealed anatomical differences between women who do have vaginal orgasms (through stimulation of the G Spot) and those who don’t.

It’s a small sample mind – nine women who did have vaginal orgasms and eleven who didn’t but they found that the area of tissue between the vagina and the urethra is thicker for those who do experience vaginal orgasm. SOme have argued, however, this tissue is just part of the clitoral structure.

This means, says Jannini, that “women without any visible evidence of a G spot cannot have a vaginal orgasm…Jannini accepts that there are limitations to his study. In particular, the small number of women he studied doesn’t allow him to say what proportion of all women have G spot – although it would seem that a large number do not.”.

From New Scientist

However what is worrying is the New Scientist’s headline “Ultrasound nails location of elusive G spot” (emphasis my own). Seems even if we can locate the G Spot we can’t move beyond patriarchal notions of sexuality as “nailing” “pounding” and “impaling”. Because, of course, the G Spot would be no use to women without a penis would it……