Golly, G! When it comes to pleasure, G marks the spot

by Jennifer Parks
EdmontonJournal.com

CREDIT: Illustration by Nickelas Johnson

We learned our sexual differences at a young age. Boys have Johnsons and girls have Whos. But the birds and bees didn't do our similarities justice (obviously, for the sake of simplicity and age appropriateness).

The truth: men and women aren't anatomical opposites at all. In fact, we're more alike than you'd think.

Here are some facts of life you may not know: Women have erections, just like guys do. And that mysterious pleasure zone located inside the vagina, called the G-spot? Men have one too.

Disclaimer: During your next lovers' quarrel, this new information will not help you and your mate understand each other any better. After all, men are still from Mars and women from Venus.

But it does have the potential to enhance your makeup sex afterwards, sending you and your paramour back into planetary orbit.

Here's the basic science behind our fascinating evolution as sexually intricate human beings:

We start from the same parts, then at the six-week mark, hormones kick in and begin to define gender. We grow reproductive organs, either ovaries or testicles. The outer skin grows into labia or scrotum. Both men and women develop erectile tissue that wraps around the urethra and responds to increased blood flow. So the same force that makes the penis shaft harden and grow, also makes a gal's "hooded lady" stand up and salute, blushing a sensational shade of bubbly Mateuse pink when she's aroused.

And whoever said guys weren't sensitive-types obviously never ventured to that oft-neglected erogenous zone found between a man's genitals and anus, which is connected via nerves to the prostate. Herein lies another testament to our common sexual roots: the same sensitive cells that make up a man's prostate also get deposited on the front wall of the vagina, and voila - the G-spot!

So next time your mate presses your buttons, you'll know exactly how to return the favour with intergalactic flair.

FOR HISTORY BUFFS: The female G-spot is named after the gynecologist Ernst Grafenberg, who first described it in 1944.

FOR THOSE ON A MISSION NEEDING NAVIGATION: Her G-spot is located one-to-two inches inside the vagina on the front wall. It's hard to detect when a woman's not turned on. But once foreplay is in full-swing, if you insert a finger at the right depth and make a "come here" motion, it's the rough bump that feels a bit like a walnut.

What do you do once you've found it? A nice, firm massaging motion with two fingers knuckle-deep or a curved sex toy have led many women to intense G-spot centred orgasms. Intercourse also works. To get the right angle, elevate the woman's hips a few inches with a pillow. Girl-on-top, doggie-style-from-standing (get her to push back on you) and girl-on-bottom-with legs-up are also excellent G-spot homing positions.

FOR HOLY GRAIL SEEKERS: While the female G-spot is a fascinating, if controversial, part of a woman's anatomy, don't get carried away with the hype. Some women don't seem to have a G-spot, while others prefer clitoral arousal and claim G-spot stimulation is anti-climactic or even irritating. Some groups of scientists say the G-spot doesn't exist, while practitioners of Tantric sex have been talking about the "sacred spot" for over 1,000 years. So why not just try and see for yourself?

FOR FIRST-TIME G-SPOTTERS: Women, if you feel like you have to pee when your G-spot's being rubbed, don't worry. This is completely natural. Your urethra is filling with ejaculate from the paraurethral glands. This is likely giving you the gotta-go sensation; but try, and nothing will come out! If you can ride out the discomfort, there's a good chance there's a G-force orgasm (or two or 10) waiting for you on the other side.

TIPS: Empty your bladder before sex play so when you get the urge to pee, you'll know you're about to G-spot, not urinate. Put a towel or two down underneath you. (For all of you ladies who've been successfully blaming your guy for the wet spot, it's actually us!) Research has shown that about 10 per cent of women expel between 9 ml and 900 ml of fluid from the urethra during arousal and orgasm. Some scientists have examined this fluid and found prostatic enzymes, fuelling the theory that the G-spot is the female equivalent to the male prostate. Other scientists say the fluid is like urine, although only small traces have been found in female ejaculate, and it doesn't smell, taste or look like urine. The debate continues.

CROSS CHECK: Not sure if what you've had is a G-spot orgasm? You should feel contractions, a light, pulsing or squeezing of the vagina, accompanied by moaning, flushing of skin, muscle tension, or exalted prayer.

Had fun? Do it again!

Wait about 20 seconds, then continue. G-spot massage is the most common way to experience multiple orgasms. (Oh Grafenberg, Oh Grafenberg, Oh Grafenberg.)

And remember, if it doesn't float your boat, move on and find something else you like. The G-spot is just one of many ways to enjoy sex with your partner.

© Edmonton Journal 2008