Beverly Whipple, the nurse, psychologist, and sex educator whose 1982 book popularized the concept of the G-spot, died on Monday at her home in Voorhees, New Jersey. She was 85. Her husband, Jim Whipple, stated that her death resulted from complications of an illness consistent with Alzheimer’s disease, according to the New York Times.
Born Beverly Hoehne on June 30, 1941, in Jersey City, she began her career in nursing before transitioning into the study of human sexuality. After graduating from Wagner College, she married Mr. Whipple in 1962. Her interest in the field intensified in 1975, when administrators at West Jersey Hospital in Camden refused to permit her to include lessons on sexuality in her nursing curriculum. She resigned and established a sex education course at Gloucester County College in Sewell, New Jersey.
Research and the "G-Spot"
Dr. Whipple’s academic work focused on the neurophysiology of female orgasms.
In seeking answers, she identified a 1950 article by German doctor Ernst Gräfenberg that documented both female ejaculation and a sensitive vaginal area. Collaborating with sexologist John D. Perry, Dr. Whipple recruited 400 women for a study. At a 1980 meeting of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists, she reported that these volunteers possessed a sensitive erogenous zone located between the "11 o’clock and 1 o’clock" positions on the vaginal wall.
While a colleague suggested naming the area the "Whipple Tickle," she rejected the name due to the popular "Mr. Whipple" television advertisements for Charmin toilet paper. Instead, they adopted the moniker "Gräfenberg spot," which was later abbreviated to G-spot.
Television Appearance Expands Public Profile
Her public profile expanded significantly in 1981 during an appearance on The Phil Donahue Show.
While demonstrating the sensitive area using a plastic anatomical model, she noted:
Evolution of Her Work
In her later years, Dr. Whipple moved away from the term "G-spot," favoring the phrase "clitourethrovaginal complex" to describe the interplay of erogenous zones. She emphasized that sexual pleasure varied among individuals and cautioned against viewing the G-spot as a singular goal. In a 2018 episode of the Netflix series Explained, she reflected: When you are searching for something as a goal, you are going to miss a lot of pleasure on the way.
In 2013, Cosmopolitan recognized her as one of its 10 Sexual Revolutionaries You Should Know.
Dr. Whipple is survived by her husband, two children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.