The G-spot. Zaviacic M - Am J Obstet Gynecol - 01-AUG-2002; 187(2): 519-20; discusssion 520
[...The G-spot
To the Editors:
The Clinical Opinion paper “The G-spot: A modern gynecologic myth” by Terence M. Hines[1] suggested that the following brief comments on the female prostate and ejaculation would be relevant and of interest to the readers.
Research from our laboratory (which has included investigation of autopsy and biopsy samples of urethrae and prostates from 150 women) and others, as recently reviewed,[2] presents the female prostate as a urogenital organ of women that has morphologic features (anatomy, histology), ultrastructure, functions (exocrine production of female prostatic fluid and neuroendocrine function), enzymatic properties (eg, prostatic specific antigen [PSA]) and histopathologic features similar to those of the male prostate.
The majority of prostatic tissue (the posterior type of prostate) is localized in the place of the G-spot in only 10% of women.[2] The main part of the female prostatic tissue (so called anterior, meatal type of the female prostate, found in 66% of women[2] ) is in the distal part of the urethra[2] and does not correspond to the topologic placement of the G-spot. According to Eichel et al,[3] the meatal type of the female prostate is a newly identified female erogenous zone important to coital female orgasm.[2] [3]
On the basis of research of the functioning female urogenital organ (ie, the female prostate), the Federative International Committee on Anatomical Terminology concurred at their recent 2001 meeting (Orlando, Fla) to the use of the term “female prostate” (prostata feminina) in the new forthcoming edition of Histology Terminology.
The female prostate presents, although substantially less frequently, with the same diseases as the male prostate. These include prostatic carcinoma, benign prostate hyperplasia, and the prostatitis–female urethral syndrome.[2] The evaluation of the incidence of prostatic diseases in women and the modern nonvestigial concept of the female prostate as a functional urogenital organ opens new approaches in clinical investigation and therapy of diseases of this female organ.
On the basis of evidence of prostatic components, especially PSA in the fluid of the female ejaculate, the female prostate is the principal source of fluid of female urethral expulsion and clearly participates in the female ejaculation phenomenon.[2] [4]
In summary, we express our concern with the persisting skepticism and omission of relevant literature, especially in relation to the female prostate and female ejaculation phenomenon and implications of the exocrine function of the female prostate.
6/8/125882
Milan Zaviacic MD, PhD, ScD
Department of Pathology, Comenius University School of Medicine, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia (Slovak Republic); e-mail: [email protected]
Richard J. Ablin PhD
Innapharma, Inc, 1 Maynard Dr, Suite 205, Park Ridge, NJ 07656; e-mail: [email protected]
References
1. Hines TM. The G-spot: a modern gynecologic myth. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;185:359-62. Full Text
2. Zaviacic M. The human female prostate. In: Vestigial Skene's paraurethral glands and ducts to woman's functional prostate. Bratislava (Slovakia): Slovak Academic Press; 1999. p. 1-171.
3. Eichel EW, Ablin RJ, Zaviacic M. A natural anatomic design (c.a.t.) for coital orgasm: implications for health and pathology [abstract]. Proceedings of the 15th World Congress on Sexology; 24-28 June 2001; Paris, France. Paris: The Congress; 2001. p. 2.
4. Cabello F. Female ejaculation: myths and reality. In: Borrás-Valls JJ, Péres-Conchillo M, editors. Sexuality and human rights. Proceedings of the 13th World Congress of Sexology; 25-29 June 1997; Valencia, Spain. Valencia: Nau Llibres; 1997. p. 1-8.
AND
The G-spot: some missing pieces of the puzzle. Chalker R - Am J Obstet Gynecol - 01-AUG-2002; 187(2): 518-9; author reply 520
[...To the Editors:
The publication of Terence Hines' article, “The G-spot: A modern gynecologic myth,”[1] has created considerable controversy and, unfortunately, much misinformation about the existence of the “G-spot,” the existence of female ejaculation, and the female prostate.
Hines asserts that the confusion over the G-spot and female ejaculation occurs because “the two are often considered together.” Actually, the two should be considered together, along with the structure on which the G-spot is located—and this is the missing piece of the puzzle.
Regarding the anatomic structure, Huffman[2] did exquisitely rendered wax casts of the female urethra and the surrounding tissue, identifying up to 31 prostate-like glands, including the two near the urethral meatus identified by Skene in 1880, and described them as “homologous with the [male] prostate.” O'Connell, et al[3] confirmed that the urethra is “surrounded by erectile tissue” except for the part embedded in the vaginal wall. This erectile body, running the length of the female urethra, can be easily accessed through the vaginal wall. Many women report that during sexual response they can locate a spot or area along the roof of the vagina that is hypersensitive to touch, pressure, or vibration. This is the G-spot.
Regarding the fluid, evaluations so far have focused on proving that it is not urine, with most finding higher levels of prostatic acid phosphatase and glucose in female ejaculate and lower levels of these substances in urine. Zaviacic [4] and others have found prostate specific antigen—a substance that does not appear in either male or female urine—in female ejaculate.
Regarding morphology and embryology, it has long been established that the lower one fifth of the vagina and the entire female urethra, as well as the male prostate and prostatic urethra, and innervation of both, develop from the mesonephric tubule, and that both originate in the urogenital sinus.[5] The upper four fifths of the vagina, as well as the uterus, tubes, and ovaries, arise from the mullerian ducts. Because the original fetal template is female, the female must possess an embryonic prostatic structure for the male to have one.
Ultimately, researchers who have endeavored to illuminate the anatomy and function of the female prostate may thank Hines and the Journal for bringing this issue before the medical community. The article would have had more value, however, if it had been based on a complete review of the literature as well as on discussions with those participating in ongoing research.
6/8/125884
Rebecca Chalker MA
Women's and Gender Studies, Pace University, 171 E 99th St, #18, New York, NY 10029
References
1. Hines TM. The G-spot: a gynecologic myth. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;185:359-62. Full Text
2. Huffman JW. The detailed anatomy of the paraurethral ducts in the adult human female. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1948;55:86-101.
3. O'Connell, HE, Hutson JM, Anderson CR, Plenter RJ. Anatomical relationship between urethra and clitoris. J Urol 1998;159:1892-7. Abstract
4. Zaviacic M. The human female prostate. Bratislava: Slovak Academic Press; 1999.
5. Netter FH. The Ciba collection of medical illustrations. Jessup (MD): Ciba Pharmaceutical; 1954. p. 2....]
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For those who are interested, here are some other links that discuss and describe the G-spot and the phenomenon of female ejaculation:
http://www.abbys-sexual-health.com/articles/female_ejaculation.php
http://www.loosie.com/words/archives/000269.html
http://www.fiawol.demon.co.uk/FAC/femejac.htm
http://www.joanelloyd.com/fbejac.htm
