Female Sexual Response Patterns: Grafenberg Spot/Area and Ejaculation

Abstract

This comprehensive survey instrument, developed by Carol Anderson Darling and J. Kenneth Davidson, Sr., consists of 192 open-ended and closed-form items designed to investigate various aspects of female sexual responsiveness. The instrument places a special focus on subjective experiences related to the existence, location, and stimulation of the Grafenberg Spot/Area and the phenomenon of female ejaculation. To avoid respondent bias associated with popularized terminology, the researchers consistently referred to the area as an “especially sensitive area in your vagina.”

The questionnaire covers numerous variables, including demographics, socialization history, partner relationships, sexual attitudes, sexual behaviors, and detailed physiological responses concerning sensitive area stimulation, orgasm, ejaculation, and related urinary and bladder conditions. The inclusion of open-ended questions and labeled anatomical diagrams was crucial for obtaining precise, self-reported descriptions of the sensitive area’s location and the perceived source of fluid expulsion.

Keywords

Grafenberg Spot, G-Spot, Female Ejaculation, Sexual Responsiveness, Orgasm, Vagina, Survey Research, Pubococcygeus Muscle, Sexual Attitudes.

Authors

Carol Anderson Darling, J. Kenneth Davidson, Sr.

Purpose

The primary purpose of this survey instrument is to systematically gather empirical data regarding women’s knowledge, attitudes, feelings, and personal experiences concerning the Grafenberg Spot/Area and female ejaculation. The scale was developed specifically for use in social science survey research settings, offering an alternative to purely clinical investigations.

The instrument was designed to explore the relationship between the sensitive area and various aspects of sexual function, including the ability to achieve orgasm through specific vaginal stimulation, the role of pubococcygeus musculature, and the perceived circumstances (such as bladder fullness or menstrual cycle phase) under which this sensitivity is most detectable.

Construct

The instrument measures the complex construct of Female Sexual Response Patterns, focusing specifically on elements related to internal vaginal sensitivity and fluid expulsion during climax. The questionnaire is subdivided into four key conceptual areas pertaining to the “sensitive area”:

• Sensitive Area identification and general characteristics.
• Sensitive Area Orgasm (achieving climax independent of clitoral stimulation).
• Sensitive Area Ejaculation (the occurrence and perceived source of fluid expulsion).
• Sensitive Area Urination/ Pubococcygeus Musculature interaction (the relationship between bladder control, urinary urges, and sexual climax).

Validity

The validity of the instrument was addressed primarily during the development phase through expert consultation. Content validity was established by having the questionnaire reviewed by six female professionals actively involved in teaching and research concerning human sexuality and sex education, ensuring the items accurately covered the intended domains of female sexual response.

Reliability

The reliability of the Female Sexual Response Patterns instrument has not been empirically determined, as noted by the authors in the original documentation. The instrument’s composition, which heavily features open-ended questions, complicates traditional psychometric reliability assessments.

Factor Analysis

Given the instrument’s structure—a mix of categorical, Likert-type, and extensive open-ended questions—and the stated intent that the closed-form items were not designed to constitute a standalone scale, no formal factor analysis was conducted or reported for this comprehensive survey instrument.

Instrument

Test Type: Survey Instrument / Comprehensive Self-Report Questionnaire

Format: 192 items, incorporating both closed-form (categorical and Likert-type) and extensive open-ended questions requiring detailed narrative descriptions and anatomical identification (aided by diagrams).

Language Available: English

Population Group: Adult Females

Age Group: 25 years and older

Population Details: The instrument is best suited for women with a higher level of language sophistication, specifically those with 2 or more years of college education, and who are sexually experienced. The primary validation sample consisted of 1,289 professional women in health-related fields (nursing, sex education, sex therapy, and counseling) in the U.S.

Test Methodology: Anonymous mail questionnaire, ideally completed in total privacy. The estimated completion time is 45 minutes for the entire instrument, though only 8–10 minutes are required for the specific “sensitive area” sections.

Keywords

Sexual Health, Female Ejaculation, Orgasm, Sexual Anatomy, G-Spot, Pubococcygeus Muscle, Sex Therapy, Content Validity.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not specified.

Affiliation Email addresses: Carol Anderson Darling (Florida State University); J. Kenneth Davidson, Sr. (University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire).

Correspondence Address: J. Kenneth Davidson, Sr., 2634 Collingwood Drive, Round Rock, TX 78665; e-mail: [email protected]

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The instrument was utilized in research published around 1989–1992. No specific information regarding current licensing fees or permissions is provided in the source material; inquiries should be directed to the corresponding author.

Reference’s

• Darling, C. A., Davidson, J. K., Sr., & Conway-Welch, C. (1990). Female ejaculation: Perceived origins, role of the Grafenberg Spot/Area, and sexual responsiveness. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 19, 29–47.

• Darling, C. A., Davidson, J. K., Sr., & Conway-Welch, C. (1992). Shaping women’s sexuality: The role of parental attachments. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 4, 61–90.

• Davidson, J. K., Sr., & Darling, C. A. (1989). The role of the Grafenberg spot and female ejaculation in the female orgasmic response: An empirical analysis. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 15, 102–120.

Items of the Female Sexual Response Patterns: Grafenberg Spot/Area and Ejaculation

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

Sensitive Area

Is there any especially sensitive area in your vagina which, if stimulated, produces pleasurable feelings? (Circle number)

1. Yes, always produces pleasurable feelings

2. Yes, most of the time produces pleasurable feelings

3. Yes, sometimes produces pleasurable feelings

4. No

At what age did you first conclude that this sensitive area exists inside your vagina?

        years old

If no sensitive area exists in vagina, go to Question       :

Under what bladder circumstances are the pleasurable sensations associated with this sensitive area in your vagina most easily detectable? (Circle number)

1. Bladder full

2. Bladder partially full

3. Bladder empty

4. Not associated with condition of bladder

5. Not aware of bladder condition when pleasurable sensations occur

6. Other

When during your menstrual cycle are the pleasurable sensations associated with this sensitive area in your vagina most easily detect- able? (Circle number)

1. Just before menstrual period

2. During menstrual period

3. Just after menstrual period

4. Midway between menstrual periods

5. No difference during menstrual cycle

6. No difference, had hysterectomy with removal of uterus only

7. No difference, had hysterectomy with removal of ovaries and uterus

8. Not aware of difference in menstrual cycle when pleasurable sensations occur

When speculum is inserted and opened in your vagina during a pelvic examination, does it ever stimulate this sensitive area in your vagina so that it produces pleasurable sensations? (Circle number)

1. Never

2. Rarely

3. Occasionally

4. Frequently

5. Very frequently

6. Always

Sensitive Area—Orgasm

In your opinion, does such a sensitive area exist inside the vagina which, if stimulated, can produce an orgasm without any clitoral contact and/or stimulation? (Circle number)

1. No

2. Yes, for all females

3. Yes, for some females

If never had an orgasm go to Question       :

Does stimulating this sensitive area in your vagina during sexual arousal produce an orgasm? (Circle number)

1. Yes, always

2. Yes, most of the time

3. Yes, sometimes

4. No

If stimulated, sensitive area in vagina does not produce orgasm go to Question      :

Is it possible for you and/or your sex partner to stimulate this sensitive area to produce an orgasm without causing clitoral contact to be made? (Circle number)

1. Yes

2. No

3. Never tried to stimulate sensitive area

4. Other                (Please specify)

   If yes: Please describe how it is possible to stimulate this sensitive area to produce an orgasm independent of any clitoral stimulation. (Note: A larger space is necessary for open-ended response.)

   What is the location of this sensitive area inside your vagina which, if stimulated, will produce an orgasm?

   Describe its specific, perceived location in relationship to the other genital and pelvic structures using the terminology from the diagram. Please do not just circle the terminology on the diagram and do not draw arrows.

   (Note: A larger space is necessary for the open-ended response.)

Which of the following factors play a role in whether this sensitive area in the vagina can be stimulated to produce an orgasm during sexual activity including masturbation, petting (mutual masturbation and/or oral-genital sex), or sexual intercourse. (Circle numbers for all applicable categories)

1. 1. Not using diaphragm as a contraceptive technique

   2. Long penis for vaginal penetration

   3. Long internal vibrator or dildo for vaginal penetration

   4. Large diameter penis for vaginal penetration

   5. Large diameter internal vibrator or dildo for vaginal penetration

   6. Degree of emotional involvement with sex partner

   7. Angle of entry of erect penis, dildo, or vibrator during vaginal penetration

   8. Use of your fingers to provide extra stimulation inside vagina

   9. Use of your partner’s fingers to provide extra stimulation inside vagina

   10. Ability of partner to rotate pelvis during sexual activity

   11. Ability to rotate your pelvis during sexual activity

   12. Use of waterbed for sexual intercourse

   13. Position used for sexual intercourse

   14. Other                 (Please specify)

Which position for sexual intercourse, if any, is most likely to result in stimulation of the sensitive area to produce orgasm? (Circle number)

1. Face-to-face/Male above

2. Face-to-face/Male above with legs of female over shoulders of male

3. Face-to-face/Female above

4. Face-to-face/Side

5. Prone (female lying face down)/Rear entry with vaginal penetration

6. Prone (female lying face down)/Rear entry with anal penetration

7. Kneeling/Rear entry with vaginal penetration

8. Kneeling/Rear entry with anal penetration

9. Sitting/Face-to-face

10. Sitting/Rear entry with vaginal penetration

11. Sitting/Rear entry with anal penetration

12. Standing/Face-to-face

13. Side/Rear entry with vaginal penetration

14. Supine (lying on back)/Male kneeling

15. Supine (lying on back)/Male standing

16. Side/Rear entry with anal penetration

17. Rear entry with vaginal penetration/Male on back/Female above

18. Male on side/Female on back, with knees bent

19. Other                 (Please specify)

Sensitive Area—Ejaculation

In your opinion, does the process of ejaculation (sudden spurt of fluid at the moment of orgasm) exist in some females? (Circle number)

1. No 2. Yes

If yes: At what approximate age did you first conclude that ejaculation at the time of orgasm exists for some females?

        years old

At the time that you experience orgasm, do you suddenly experience a spurt of fluid (i.e., ejaculation) in the genital area? (Circle number)

1. Never

2. Rarely

3. Sometimes

4. Almost Always

5. Always

If never experience spurt of fluid during orgasm go to Question         :

How does this spurt of fluid seem to be released at the time of your orgasm? (Please describe in your own words.) (Note: A larger space is necessary for the open-ended response.)

What do you believe to be the source of this spurt of fluid at the time of your orgasm? (Please describe.) (Note: A larger space is necessary for the open-ended response.)

In your own words, describe the difference, if any, between vaginal lubrication during your sexual arousal and the spurt of fluid at the moment of your orgasm.

(Note: A larger space is necessary for the open-ended response.)

During masturbation and/or sexual intercourse, are you able to consciously contract the muscles surrounding the vagina to grasp a phallic substitute (if utilized) or the penile shaft of your sex partner? (circle number)

1. Yes 2. No

Sensitive Area—Urination/Pubococcygeus Musculature

Do you ever prolong the act of urination by starting and stopping the flow of urine because of pleasurable sensations associated with contracting of the muscles involved in bladder control? (Circle number)

1. Yes 2. No

Have you ever held back from experiencing an orgasm due to the fear of urinating? (Circle number)

1. Yes 2. No

If never experienced orgasm go to Question         :

Have you ever thought that you have urinated during your orgasm? (Circle number)

1. Yes 2. No

If yes: How often do you think you have urinated during orgasm? (Circle number)

1. Very frequently

2. Frequently

3. Occasionally

4. Seldom

Are you aware of the existence of the pubococcygeus muscle located at the vaginal entrance? (Circle number)

1. Yes 2. No

Can you consciously identify your pubococcygeus muscle through voluntary contractions? (Circle number)

1. Yes 2. No

If yes: Do you periodically exercise your pubococcygeus muscle through Kegel exercises or by another related method, such as starting and stopping the flow of urine? (Circle number)

1. Yes 2. No