The G-spot in women can appear a mystery to many. Throughout history, different theories have been developed about its location and its importance in the female orgasm. 

However, the name should not mislead us. What we call a "spot" is actually a zone of interactions and for this reason many experts prefer to speak of a wider group of erogenous zones consisting of the clitoris, the urethra, and the vagina (CUV) (1). It's important to note that the clitoris, often thought to be related to the G-spot, is primarily internal (around 3 or 4 inches) and significantly larger than commonly believed, with thousands of nerve endings. 

The exact location of the G-spot in women is the front wall of the vagina. More precisely, about 3 centimetres from the outside or one-third of the way from the entrance of the vagina – however it may be higher or lower. Research corroborates a greater flow of blood appears in this area in response to certain stimuli (2). 

The full name of the G-spot is actually "Gräfenberg spot", as it was the gynaecologist with this surname who first described it in the 1950s. However, it was not until the 1980s that it was given its present name. The researchers Ladas, Whipple and Perry were responsible this (3). 

Why is the G-spot in women so important?

The G-spot is often associated with reaching orgasm and with female ejaculation (2). Stimulating the area can produce the production of different fluids (4). 

Being aware and understanding the entire genital anatomy will help sexual health. In fact, the correct stimulation of the area, in different ways, contributes to more pleasurable relations whether that be on your own or with someone else.

What changes in menopause can affect orgasm?

The menopause brings with it many changes (5). Among them, there are some that may have an impact on sex and intimacy (6,7): 

• Vaginal dryness: hormonal changes lead to a thinning of the inner lining of the vagina. This leads to reduced production of the glands in the area. 

• Lower libido: individuals going through menopause often report lower sexual desire. This may be attributed to hormonal change. It may also be due to fatigue associated with the stage or discomfort during intercourse due to lack of lubrication and decreased clitoral sensitivity and arousal.  

These changes do not mean that you have to give up a full sex life. 

Tips for stimulating the G-spot in women during menopause

There are various tips to boost sexual desire. Furthermore, understanding what creates sexual desire or interest and the context of it for you is essential. So, explore your body and mind concerning sexual function and stimulation – what you enjoy, and what creates sexual pleasure, desire or excitement.  

Experiment with different techniques, such as using lubricants or sex toys like vibrators, to discover what arouses you most effectively. If you notice reduced clitoral sensitivity, varying the intensity and patterns of stimulation with a vibrator can help enhance arousal. Here we will focus on strategies to stimulate the G-spot in women over 40 years old: 

Helping lubrication

In the UK, only 68% of people experiencing menopause see a doctor for problems with their sex life (8). And it turns out that most of them are due to dryness. Therefore, starting with vaginal lubrication is a good place to begin. 

To reach the G-spot in women, it is necessary to slide inside the vagina without causing pain. So whether it is to lubricate the penis, a partner's fingers or a sex toy, choose suitable moisturisers. The best are those that state on the label that they are similar to natural vaginal secretions and are water based (9). 

Prefer certain sexual positions

When it comes to heterosexual intercourse, it has been found that women who play a more active role achieve more orgasms. On the contrary, when the man is on top, they experience less pleasure (10). This can be related to the position of the G-spot. Hence, the following positions are good choices: 

• The hammock: the man is seated with his knees bent. The woman sits on top of him and moves in oscillation during penetration. 

• The submissive: the man is lying down, and the woman sits on top of him, but with her back to him. 

• Jellyfish: the man sits cross-legged. The woman sits on top of him, contacting both torsos facing each other and bringing her heels towards his knees. 

In both heterosexual and same-sex relationships, oral and manual stimulation of the CUV area can be highly pleasurable and lead to more frequent orgasms (11). While penetration may be enjoyable for some, it's important to remember that sexual pleasure can be experienced in many ways. Experimenting with manual stimulation, oral sex, toys, and other techniques can help individuals discover their preferred methods of arousal and satisfaction. Ideal positions for same-sex relations would include:  

• The magic hand: both partners mtime. 

• Oral sex (Sixty-nine): one person lies on their back, while the other lies on top, but in reverse. At the same time, each performs oral sex on the other. 

If you want to add sex toys to stimulate the G-spot in women, it is possible. Just be careful with hygiene (12). And beyond pleasure, you should always take precautions to prevent sexually transmitted infections (13,14). 

We encourage you to follow these tips to lead a healthy and pleasurable sex life no matter what stage you are in. 

References

1. Jannini EA, Buisson O, Rubio-Casillas A. Beyond the G-spot: clitourethrovaginal complex anatomy in female orgasm. Nat Rev Urol. 2014 ;11(9):531–8. Available from: https://www.nature.com/articles/nrurol.2014.193 
2. Ostrzenski A. G-spot anatomy and its clinical significance: A systematic review. Clin Anat. 2019 ;32(8):1094–101. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ca.23457 
3. Mollaioli D, Sansone A, Colonnello E, Limoncin E, Ciocca G, Vignozzi L, et al. Do we still believe there is a G-spot? Curr Sex Health Rep. 2021 ;13(3):97–105. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11930-021-00311-w 
4. Salama S, Boitrelle F, Gauquelin A, Malagrida L, Thiounn N, Desvaux P. Nature and origin of “squirting” in female sexuality. J Sex Med. 2015 ;12(3):661–6. Available from: https://academic.oup.com/jsm/article/12/3/661/6966885 
5. National Health System. Menopause - symptoms. nhs.uk. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/symptoms/ 
6. Nappi RE, Palacios S. Impact of vulvovaginal atrophy on sexual health and quality of life at postmenopause. Climacteric. 2014; ;17(1):3–9. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/13697137.2013.871696 
7. Thomas HN, Hamm M, Hess R, Borrero S, Thurston RC. “I want to feel like I used to feel”: a qualitative study of causes of low libido in postmenopausal women. Menopause. 2020 ;27(3):289–94. Available from: https://europepmc.org/article/med/31834161 
8. Domoney C, Short H, Particco M, Panay N. Symptoms, attitudes and treatment perceptions of vulvo-vaginal atrophy in UK postmenopausal women: Results from the REVIVE-EU study. Post Reprod Health. 2020 ;26(2):101–9. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2053369120925193 
9. Edwards D, Panay N. Treating vulvovaginal atrophy/genitourinary syndrome of menopause: how important is vaginal lubricant and moisturizer composition? Climacteric. 2016 ;19(2):151–61. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/13697137.2015.1124259 
10. Kontula O, Miettinen A. Determinants of female sexual orgasms. Socioaffect Neurosci Psychol. 2016 ;6(1):31624. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/snp.v6.31624 
11. Frederick DA, John HKS, Garcia JR, Lloyd EA. Differences in orgasm frequency among gay, lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual men and women in a U.S. national sample. Arch Sex Behav. 2018 ;47(1):273–88. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10508-017-0939-z 
12. National Health Service. Are sex toys safe? nhs.uk. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/sexual-health/are-sex-toys-safe/ 
13. National Health Service. Do condoms always prevent HIV transmission? nhs.uk. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/sexual-health/do-condoms-always-prevent-hiv-transmission/ 
14. National Health Service. What infections can I catch through oral sex? nhs.uk. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/sexual-health/what-infections-can-i-catch-through-oral-sex/