For women wondering why they have never experienced a vaginal orgasm, researchers at the University of L'Aquila may have the answer.

These researchers say they have discovered a way to determine if a woman has the ever-elusive G-spot, a spot in the anterior wall of a woman's vagina, which is fabled to give a woman powerful orgasms. There has been little evidence to support the existence of it -- until now.

Dr. Emmanuele Jannini, the research leader, wanted to find a way to determine if there was an anatomical difference between women who could experience vaginal orgasms and those who could not.

Using ultrasound, Jannini measured the thickness of the tissue between the vagina and the urethra, which he called the urethrovaginal space. He found that women who were able to orgasm through vaginal stimulation had a thicker urethrovaginal space, while women who had thinner urethrovaginal space could not achieve vaginal orgasm.

"For the first time, it is possible to determine by a simple, rapid and inexpensive method if a woman has got a G-spot or not," Jannini said.

Each of the 20 women chosen for the study had to be in stable heterosexual relationships for the past six months, have sex at least twice a week, be between the ages of 32 and 34 and have a high score -- at least four out of five -- on the questions, 'How often do you reach orgasm?' 'How difficult is it for you to reach orgasm?' and 'How satisfied are you with your ability to reach orgasm?'

The women were also asked whether they could achieve vaginal orgasm and were divided up based on their responses.

Each woman was then given a 20-minute vaginal ultrasound to measure the tissue between their vaginal wall and urethra.

Of the 20 women studied, nine had walls measuring around 12.4 mm thick and the other 11 had walls measuring 10.4 mm thick.

The study brings up questions as to whether or not every woman has a G-spot. Janaki Nandam (sophomore-biology) and Maria Stevens (sophomore-biology) both said they thought every woman had a G-spot, but neither of the two said they would get an ultrasound.

"I don't think people would go out of their way to figure that out," Nandam said.

Carrie Salvia (sophomore-life sciences) said she thinks people would probably want to find out if they had a G-spot or not.

"Who wouldn't want to know?" she asked.

Knowing whether a woman has or doesn't have a G-spot could also affect the way women perceive intercourse.

"I think knowing that you didn't have a G-spot would be discouraging," Salvia said. "People would probably be less willing to have sex," whereas knowing that you have a G-spot could make you "more willing to try different things and explore."

Spring Cooper, of the Penn State Office of Health Promotion and Wellness, said she thinks women will want to find out if they have a G-spot.

"I think people are naturally curious about this stuff. Research has always shown it exists," Cooper said.

Cooper said she believes that while the study shows some women may not have a G-spot, every woman should have one.

"The development of a G-spot depends on the development of the fetus," she said, adding that the G-spot is essentially a 'leftover prostate,' which in men stimulates orgasms and can do the same for women. In some women, depending on the sensitivity or the amount of nerve endings in the gland, orgasms without clitoral stimulation are possible.

Cooper said she thinks the study will have a positive effect on women.

"I think this study will promote experimentation and exploration of one's own body," she said.