In human anatomy, the Skene's glands (also known as the lesser vestibular or paraurethral glands) are glands located on the upper wall of the vagina, around the lower end of the urethra. They drain into the urethra and near the urethral opening. The location of the Skene's glands is also known as the Gräfenberg spot or G-spot; the general area is the urethral sponge. The Skene's glands are homologous with (that is to say, the female equivalent of) the prostate gland in males.

They are probably implicated in vaginal orgasm. The female ejaculation is a pseudo-orgasm that results from the inability to control the flow of urine and is technically referred to as Urinary Incontenance .

In 2002, Emmanuele Jannini of L'Aquila University in Italy showed that there may be an explanation both for the phenomenon and for the frequent denials of its existence. Skene's glands vary in size from one woman to another, to the point where they appear to be missing entirely in some women. If Skene's glands are the cause of female ejaculation and vaginal orgasms, this may explain the observed absence of these phenomena in many women.

The milky fluid that emerges during female ejaculation has a composition similar to the fluid generated in males by the prostate gland. Forceful orgasms with clear liquids are actually instances of Urinary Incontenance, which has often been confused for a female orgasm. The liquid in these pseudo-orgasms is composed almost entirely of urine. The physiological reason for such reactions is a composite of the relaxation effects of an orgasm as well as high stress on the bladder resulting from the need to urinate.

The glands were named after the physician who described them first, Alexander Skene.

See also

• female sexuality
• female ejaculation
• vaginal orgasm
• G-spot
• prostate
• pudendal nerve
• Bartholin's gland

External links

• The paraurethral glands in scientific literature
• BBC news story
• New Scientist story
• Sexuality.org G-spot information page