Anatomical Research on the Skene’s Gland This research paper endeavors to discuss the internal female sexual organ – the Skene’s gland. This organ has been used interchangeably with other names such as the G-spot, female prostrate, paraurethral gland, etc. To avoid ambiguity, this paper would be focusing on the generalized area commonly called the G-spot which includes the Skene’s gland. Within the field of sexology, there has been a lot of controversy over the topic of the G-spot. Similar to any other controversial issues, there is a divide between researchers who have made the conclusion that the G-spot is not an anatomical entity and others who believe the G-spot is a unique region responsible for a distinct sexual function. Irrespective of the ongoing debate about the G-spot, a direct clarification of what the G-spot is thought to be and the ascribed sexual function is discussed. The G-spot - named after the German gynecologist Ernst Graffenberg who discovered it in 1950 – is a highly erogenous zone which could be felt through the anterior wall of the female vagina, often located about one-third to one-half of the way in from the introitus (Mohammad 967). This region is easiest to locate if the woman were to lie on her back. In some cases, the woman might not recognize the region if she were not aroused (Mohammad 968). From a structural perspective, some researchers believe that what is called the G-spot could be a complex region composed of not a single tissue but a collection of tissues of adjacent organs within the supposed region, this has led the region to be referred to as the ‘‘clitoral urethra-vaginal complex’’ (Gravina et al. 610). Some of these organs may include the anterior vaginal wall, urethra, Skene’s gland (which is similar in structure to the male prostrate), Bartholin’s gland and even the crura of the clitoris (Komisaruk et al. press). Some researchers believe that the G spot is abundant in blood vessels and nerve endings and the tissue surrounding the neck of the bladder (Whipple et al). Other histological studies have demonstrated that the region is composed of epithelial, erectile and glandular tissues (Mohammad 969). It is important to point out at this point that despite any solid findings on the anatomical structure of the G-spot, it differs significantly across females. The specific role of the G-spot in reproduction has not been of major interest compared to its role in sexual gratification. The majority of studies involving the G-spot have been to prove of its existence as a point of ultimate sexual gratification or its total absence in females. Studies involving participants engaged in coitus (sexual intercourse) have described that stimulation of the G-spot seems to produce a mixed feeling of pleasure, a sensation of urination and discomfort (Jannini 26). Continuous stimulation of this region may cause the region to thicken and become engorged producing an intense orgasm. Some females have reported the emission of a fluid chemically similar to semen which some researchers believe to have been from secretions of the Skene’s gland. Many have described this process as the ‘‘elusive female ejaculation’’, which is also controversial in that most studies performed on this subject have not produced substantiated results. The function of the Skene’s gland, the most prominent anatomical structure most researchers believe exists in the region, has been linked to the production of lubricating fluid during coitus, again most researchers believe that this assumptions need further classification (Dwyer 135). Some research studies argue that the Skene’s gland might play a role in fighting infectious diseases as they are vulnerable to urinary tract infections, others argue that it might be a vestigial organ having no function at all (Dwyer 136). Outside the scientific community, where studies have been made on the G-spot to prove or disprove its anatomical presence and function in sexual gratification, society at large has greatly propagated the issue of the G-spot beyond scientific facts. Many people in our society have been misinformed about the G-spot from sources such as magazines, movies, internet, etc. One scientific fact that has been proven about the G-spot, even by researchers who advocate its existence, is that this region might be absent in some females. However, in our society, there has still been the hype that the G-spot is a panacea to sexual dissatisfaction. Such embellished information has been found in the front cover of popular adult magazines and books.
An important consequence of this misinformation has been the feeling of dissatisfaction many women have developed in their search for the G-spot and expected vaginal orgasm. Similar to men who have fallen to the idea of penile enlargement as a result of dissatisfaction, it is not surprising to find women who are pressured with the idea of a G-spot augmentation. The G-spot augmentation, commonly advertised under the name G-spot Amplification®, is a gynecological procedure were collagen is inserted into the area where the G-spot is located. The explanation behind this is that the collagen produces an irregularity on the anterior wall of the vagina, which is believed to heighten the sensation to the G-spot when stimulated (Ostrzensky 26). However, there is no medical justification for this procedure. According to a paper published by the American Colleges of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), this procedure has not been proven to be safe nor effective and warns that it may lead to sexual dysfunction and other urogenital complications (ACOG 2007). The hype around the G-spot has not been of interest to females alone but has been one of utmost interest to males. The fad propagated by magazines and books about the G-spot has received significant attention from members of the opposite sex especially those who are very eager to please their sexual partners. Numerous foreplay practices and sexual positions can be found in adult magazines claiming to be effective in stimulating the G-spot during sexual intercourse. Not only have adult magazines provided an abundance of information on G-spot stimulation, many adult stores are notorious for advertizing different sex toys claiming to be designed exclusively for G-spot stimulation. This hype behind the G-spot makes one ask the question ‘‘how did we get here?’’. According to Korder et al. the intellectual ideas behind what we call the G-spot and female ejaculation have been known and described in eastern and western cultures for more than 2000 years (1965). The ancient Indian book Kama sutra, one of the oldest and best-known scientific works on human sexuality, provides a guide to enhanced sexual pleasure for both sexes (Burton 3622). After careful understanding of the historical issues behind the G-spot and the several linguas that has been used over the years, one can make the conclusion that, our present reaction to the issue of the G-spot and even to human sexuality as a whole is caused by our dynamic society. Despite the results from ongoing research, the scientific explanation of the G-spot might still remain a controversy. Even some art scholars – notably feminist - advocate that the issues surrounding the G-spot and vaginal orgasm are due to ‘‘a male attempt to recoup significance of vaginal penetration after the celebration of the clitoris during the sexual revolution’’ (Hines 359). In my opinion, I would say that whether vaginal orgasm is a myth or not, the most important thing is to appreciate the way we are created despite living in a society today where the pressures for perfection are highly sought.

Works Cited
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