Whether you’re a believer or not, we’ve all heard of the G-spot. The question is, have you heard of the G-shot? Aesthetic plastic surgery has seen a marked increase in procedures aimed at the vagina, now including a puzzling application of fillers to the G-spot in an attempt to heighten sexual pleasure.
Is there any truth to the procedure, or even any truth to the puzzling G-spot itself?
First things first: the G-Spot
The female G-spot is pretty elusive and mysterious. Where on earth is it? How do you find it? What actually is it? In short: the debate still exists whether it’s real and whether or not it’s worth looking for. The Gräfenberg spot is it’s full name, derived from the German gynecologist who first characterized the idea. Decades later, the jury is still out on whether or not the G-spot is real, or whether it’s supposed functions might be a collection of functions of other known vaginal anatomical entities.
What is It Exactly? Or is It at All?
The evidence is a bit mysterious because the “spot” doesn’t appear to be a distinct structure, but, rather, a cluster of nerves and tissue that engorges or changes in sensation when aroused. And not all women feel it. Some women feel extreme pleasure when the spot is stimulated, but others… not a thing.
The G-spot is described as an erogenous zone, about the size of a nickel, located just underneath a woman’s front vaginal wall. It’s made from ultra-sensitive, erectile-like tissue that, when touched, swells. When swollen, it’s more the size of a quarter and, to those who believe it exists, brings on feelings of sexual bliss, similar to the way the clitoris responds to contact.
What is the G-Shot?
A woman’s genitals usually is the last last place you’d want any sharp object, but an increasing number of women are electing to let a doctor inject hyaluronic acid—the natural substance utilized by facial fillers for plumping—into their private parts. The procedure, known as the G-Shot or G-Spot Amplification, was created by Beverly Hills plastic surgeons David Matlock, MD and Alexander Simopoulos, MD. While they have been performing it on patients for more than six years, it’s gained so much demand that other docs around the country have also begun offering G-Shots under the duo’s training and guidance.
“We realized that by injecting filler into a woman’s G-spot area, we could enhance her sexual pleasure and gratification,” Dr. Matlock says. The shot works by enlarging the area along the anterior of the vagina that’s known to be a highly sensitive erogenous zone to about the size of a quarter and the thickness of pencil eraser. “That makes the G-spot project lower into the vagina, making it easier to ‘find’ and stimulate during sex,” says Yael Varnado MD, an anesthesiologist in Washington, D.C.
But some board certified plastic surgeons aren’t so sure.
Far From a Unanimous Verdict Regarding the G-spot/shot
Even among the best plastic surgeons in the country, the G-spot and G-shot procedure are debatable as to their validity. Some have chosen not to participate until further evidence is discovered and presented, while others, knowing their own skill with the injection of fillers, see it as harmless enough to give it a try, to the requesting patient.
“We do not personally offer the G-shot because it is our understanding that it’s not been clinically proven,” shares board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Mary Gingrass.
Dr. Kristi Hustak, a fellow board certified plastic surgeon practicing in Houston, isn’t so sure, but results from g-shot procedures are providing convincing anecdotal evidence.
“I really think there is a thing here, that there’s a large placebo effect,” Dr. Hustak tells The Plastic Surgery Channel. “A lot of the women that I’ve injected and targeted have come in and said, ‘Oh my God, it’s the best thing that’s ever happened,’ and I have some women come in and say, ‘I didn’t feel much of a difference.’ And so I don’t know how much stock to put into it.”
Another board certified Texas plastic surgeon, Ashley Gordon, MD, who lives and works in Austin, has no doubts about the G-spot, but the G-shot is still iffy in her practice.
“There is a G-spot and it really does exist,” Dr. Gordon shares. “And the G-shot is either a filler (I haven’t heard people using fat instead) or with PRP (platelet-rich plasma), to fluff up that tissue so that it will be more sensitive during intercourse for women. I think the challenge with it is, it’s a little difficult to inject into that area and because of its proximity to the urethra there may be a feeling they have to pee all the time. For me, I haven’t chosen to offer that to patients.”
And Some Believe, Why Not Try?
For some patients, it may be worth a trial run, seeing as how fillers are safe and very well understood. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kevin Smith of Charlotte knows fillers well and believes a G-shot experiment with a wanting patient may be a worthwhile exercise. “To plump up the perineal area, fillers are very effective,” he shares.
“Fillers are safe. Fillers are reversible. Because of that, there’s not a lot of harm that can be done, so it’s not a bad idea. As far as the G-shot is concerned, many people feel that an injection anywhere in the vaginal vault will add a little bit of volume, add a little bump and make activity more pleasurable. This has become very popular. ”
Whether or not the G-spot and subsequent G-shot are real and effective, respectively, may not necessarily be relevant for wanting patients. Because fillers are safe and can even be reversed, a patient “in need” may have the procedure performed to see what happens. As Dr. Hustak noted, the placebo effect is certainly a powerful notion. If a patient sees results, and the procedure is safely done, it may just be worthwhile to try.
Regardless, curious patients do need to realize that even injecting fillers can be poorly done. Dr. Smith’s comments reflect the assumed notion that board certified plastic surgeons know fillers and their application extremely well. In his hands, fillers are safe. In someone who isn’t a board certified plastic surgeon, well, the risks may increase. For these reasons, it’s imperative for curious patients to seek out board certified plastic surgeons for these procedures. Not only will it be the best guarantee of surgical safety, but the best, more accurate (and pertinent) information regarding procedures and outcomes will be found in their offices.