The G-spot: Some scientists may say it doesn’t exist, but once you’ve encountered it first-hand, all the evidence in the world couldn’t convince you it’s not real.

But what — and where — is this mysterious part of the body, if it really does exist? Let’s talk all things penetrative pleasure, including how to find the G-spot. 

What’s the G-spot?

In 1950, physician and sexologist Ernst Gräfenberg, the gynecological pioneer who developed the world’s first tried-and-true IUD, published a fascinating report on the female orgasm. He was among the first to discuss the topic in anatomical terms and the first to publicly claim that an “erotic zone” exists along the urethra on the anterior (front) vaginal wall. 

Three decades later, a group of sexologists published a case study on female ejaculation, reporting that the erogenous zone identified by Gräfenberg wasn’t just real — it was the secret to squirting. 

The researchers were so sold on Gräfenberg’s findings that they named this erogenous zone for him. The term “G-spot” proceeded to gain traction with the public after psychologist Alice Kahn Ladas teamed up with two of the study’s contributors, John D. Perry and Beverly Whipple, to publish an international bestseller called “The G Spot and Other Recent Discoveries About Human Sexuality” in 1982.

The book claims the female G-spot is a bean-shaped erogenous zone that, when stimulated, produces a strong vaginal orgasm, sometimes resulting in the production of urethral ejaculate (squirting) — a phenomenon they claimed clitoral stimulation couldn’t produce. If you want the G-spot to swell, said the researchers, just insert a forefinger into the vaginal canal and wiggle your finger in a “come here” motion, almost like you’re tickling the top of the vagina.

Why don’t people believe in the G-spot?

Gräfenberg was a pro-woman advocate of female sexual health, and he deserves a lot of credit for being ahead of his time. But he makes some pretty outlandish claims in “The Role of Urethra in Female Orgasm,” like saying a man could use his penis in a woman’s ear to help her reach orgasm. And most of the evidence in the book that popularized the term “G-spot” is anecdotal, a far cry from medical proof.

In the more than 70 years since the G-spot’s namesake made his claims, scores of researchers have attempted to confirm or disprove its existence. No one has been able to find anatomical evidence that the exact erogenous zone Gräfenberg identified is real, and researchers like Vincenzo Puppo and Ilan Gruenwald flat-out say there’s no such thing.

But the majority of women claim to have a G-spot. So what’s the real story? 

Where’s the G-spot?

Dr. Gräfenberg may not have understood the physiology of the G-spot, but that doesn’t mean he was wrong about its existence. And while science still hasn’t proven exactly what the G-spot is, a few theories seem plausible:

• The clitourethrovaginal complex: Emmanuele A. Jannini, Odile Buisson, and Alberto Rubio-Casillas introduced the concept of the clitourethrovaginal (CUV) complex. The CUV, sometimes referred to as simply the clitoral complex, is an area of interaction between the clitoris, urethra, and anterior vaginal wall that can produce an orgasm when stimulated during penetration.

• Nerves in the anterior vaginal wall: Researchers in multiple studies have found evidence that a portion of the anterior vaginal wall is rich in nerves and microvessels, which could be the source of vaginal orgasms.

• The female prostate: The female anatomy includes Skene’s glands and ducts, comparable to a smaller version of the male prostate. Gary Schubach believes the G-spot is the area on the vagina’s upper wall that allows a penis, dildo, vibrator, or fingers to stimulate the Skene’s glands, similar to the prostate stimulation men experience during anal penetration.

Scientists and doctors might argue about the mechanics of the G-spot, but most agree that it’s located on the front wall of the vagina about two inches past the introitus (the opening of your vagina). 

If you’re getting an orgasmic response from deep penetration, you probably don’t have the G-spot to thank. Instead, you’re likely experiencing either a cervical orgasm from stimulation to the cervix (the organ connecting your vagina and uterus) or an orgasm from stimulating your anterior fornix erogenous zone, aka the A-spot, which sits between the cervix and G-spot.

Should you find it difficult to locate the G-spot or struggle to achieve orgasm and arousal from penetrative sex, know that your experience is completely normal. What’s pleasurable to some might be disappointing or even painful for others. Experimentation can be a lot of fun, but there’s no shame in discovering that your sensations are different from other people’s. If your goal of experiencing a G-spot orgasm doesn’t wind up happening, you can seek pleasure in other ways, like rubbing your clitoris or performing the tantric art of a vulva massage.

The best sex positions for finding the G-spot

Of course, intercourse isn’t the only way to find the G-spot. If you’re feeling aroused and want to look for it on your own, try a G-spot vibrator, which is shaped like a finger gesturing "come here," just like Dr. Whipple and her colleagues described.

But if you want to involve a partner, these are the best sex positions to try:

Doggy style

On your hands and knees, your partner will penetrate you from behind. This position gives your partner the freedom to try a variety of depths and angles, so keep the lines of communication open and let them know if you think they’ve found the spot.

The snake

This position is similar to doggy style, but instead of propping yourself up on your hands and knees, you’ll lie flat on your stomach with your chest on the bed. If the spot your partner hits doesn’t feel quite right, use a pillow to adjust your pelvic angle and try again.

Cowgirl or reverse cowgirl

Have your partner lie on their back, then straddle them. To try the cowgirl position, face your partner. For reverse cowgirl, face their feet. Like with doggy style, these positions allow you to mix up your speed, angle, and depth. And since you’re on top, you’ll be in complete control.

Spooning

Lie on your side with your partner behind you in a spooning position. Arch your back and bring your knees up just enough to allow for penetration. This position offers an angle that’s uniquely suited to targeting the G-spot.

Make pleasure your top priority

You don’t need to find your G-spot to have great sex — you don’t even need partnered sex to have a healthy sex life. Arousal and orgasm are pleasurable sensations a partner can help you with, but it’s just as fulfilling to experience them on your own.

Sex toys are a great way to spice up your solo sex. But if you really want to take things to the next level, try Quinn, the audio erotica app created by women for the world. We’re firm believers in the benefits of the female orgasm, and the erotic content on Quinn can make each climax even better.

To access thousands of audio stories and guided masturbation sessions, download the Quinn app for iOS or Android.