PCOS and urethrovaginal space: 3-D volumetric and vascular analysis

J Sex Med. 2010 Aug;7(8):2755-64. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01651.x. Epub 2010 Jan 6.

Abstract

Introduction: The vaginal orgasm seems to be evocated by the stimulation of the G-spot: a highly sensitive area on the anterior wall of the human vagina. However, the existence of such a spot is controversial.

Aim: To evaluate, by the use of three-dimensional (3-D) ultrasonography, the anatomic structures of the urethrovaginal space both in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients and eumenorrheic non-hirsute controls.

Methods: Twenty-three (Group I) PCOS patients and 25 eumenorrheic young women (Group II) were submitted to two-dimensional (2-D) and 3-D ultrasonography and color Doppler analysis of the urethrovaginal space and of the clitoris.

Main outcome measures: 2-D ultrasonographic evaluation of the ovaries and of the urethrovaginal space; color Doppler evaluation of the ovarian stromal arteries, urethrovaginal main feeding artery, and dorsal clitoral arteries; 3-D volume calculation of the urethrovaginal space, and 3-D power Doppler analysis of the vascularization index; flow index; and vascularization flow index; hormonal evaluation.

Results: The vaginal orgasm was present in 13/23 (56%) patients in PCOS Group and in 13/25 (52%) in the controls. The 3-D reconstruction of the urethrovaginal space demonstrated a gland-like aspect with small feeding vessels: "female prostate." The 3-D mean volume of the "female prostate" was significantly higher in Group I (0.48 ± 0.21 mL) than in Group II (0.39 ± 0.19 mL; P = 0.044). The Virtual Organ Computer-aided AnaLys (VOCAL) built mean volume of the "female prostate" was positively correlated with the time since intercourse (r = 0.486; P = 0.032), with the total length of the urethrovaginal space (r = 0.616; P = 0.025) and with the testosterone (r = 0.424; P = 0.048) circulating values.

Conclusions: The presence of the G-spot and its role in vaginal orgasm remains controversial. In Italians, and normal weight PCOS patients the hyperandrogenism seems to result in ovarian stromal and "female prostate" hyperplasia.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Arteries / diagnostic imaging
  • Blood Flow Velocity / physiology
  • Clitoris / blood supply*
  • Clitoris / diagnostic imaging*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted*
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional*
  • Orgasm / physiology*
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / diagnostic imaging*
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Reference Values
  • Regional Blood Flow / physiology
  • Testosterone / blood
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color*
  • Urethra / blood supply*
  • Urethra / diagnostic imaging*
  • Vagina / blood supply*
  • Vagina / diagnostic imaging*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Testosterone