What Is The A-Spot? Another Potentially Powerful Female Erogenous Zone

The A-spot is the anterior fornix erogenous zone, a sensitive area of tissue that exists at the ends of the vaginal canal, between the cervix and the bladder. It's located about an inch or two deeper than the G-spot, which can purportedly be found by making a come-hither motion with two fingers inside of the vagina.

"Some studies have suggested sensitivity in this area when stimulated, [which] can lead to improved lubrication and possibly more intense orgasm," Michael Ingber, M.D., a board-certified female pelvic medicine and sexual health specialist with the Center for Specialized Women's Health, tells mbg.

The A-spot was "discovered" in the 1990s via a study1 conducted by Malaysian physician Chua Chee Ann, M.D., in which he found that "stimulation of the AFE Zone, the erogenous centre in the inner half of the anterior wall of the vagina, results in rapid onset of reflex vaginal lubrication and build-up of erotic sensitivity, culminating in orgasms in some cases."

During the study, Chee Ann administered repeated, gentle strokes to the AFE zone to 271 women. About 40% of participants achieved orgasm—not bad considering the awkward circumstance of being sexually stimulated for a research experiment, right? But the more surprising and promising result: A full 78% of the participants experienced increased vaginal lubrication.

That's vital, considering a 2017 study2 found only about 18% of women can reach orgasm from penetration alone. It can feel good, but without catering to the clitoris, sex can feel like dinner without dessert—filling, but not as sweet as it could be.

Some experts believe these supposedly sensitive areas like the G-spot and the A-spot may actually just be the back end of the clitoris itself, as the clitoris is a fairly long and expansive organ that internally wraps around a substantial part of the vagina and urethra. A 2014 study4 suggests the G-spot, in particular, may actually be the intersection of the clitoris, urethra, and the vagina, and when this intersection is stimulated, it can lead to intense orgasms and sometimes ejaculation.

To complicate things further, "It is unknown if, in many women, the A-spot is really the G-spot, just located a bit deeper inside than others," Ingber explains.

Per Sinclair's instructions, you have to use the same hook motion that you would use to feel your G-spot. "Curve your fingers into a bit of a hook and reach in about 1 to 1½ inches inside the vagina, tilt them upward as if you were pointing toward your belly button."

When followed correctly, these instructions will lead you to hit the spongy tissue where the G-spot is believed to be located, and 1 to 2 inches inward from there is the A-spot. In order to stimulate the spot, move your fingers or have someone else move their fingers over the tissue in a windshield wiper motion. The key is to blend both movement and light pressure.

As we continue to uncover more information about female anatomy, researchers are also starting to study other possible erogenous zones that may be the key to unlocking all kinds of new sensations during sex. Chee Ann's foundational study suggests stimulating the A-spot might be a way to increase lubrication for people with vaginas.