Squirting happens when fluid is released through the urethra during sexual arousal or orgasm, typically in response to sustained stimulation of the front vaginal wall. Not everyone will experience it, and the amount of fluid varies widely, but understanding the anatomy and techniques involved makes it far more likely.
What Actually Happens in the Body
Two structures are involved in producing fluid during arousal. The Skene’s glands, two tiny ducts sitting on either side of the urethra, secrete a thick, milky fluid in small amounts (roughly a teaspoon). This is technically “female ejaculation.” Squirting is a separate phenomenon: a larger release of clear, watery fluid, sometimes up to 10 tablespoons, that originates primarily from the bladder.
A 2022 study from Okayama University confirmed this by inserting a catheter and blue dye into participants’ bladders before stimulation. In every case, the squirted fluid came out blue, showing it was at least partly urine. However, biochemical analysis from a separate study found that the fluid also contains prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein produced by the Skene’s glands and not typically present in regular urine samples. So squirting fluid is a mix: mostly dilute bladder fluid with some glandular secretion. This is worth knowing because the sensation of needing to release fluid can feel almost identical to needing to urinate, which is exactly the point where many people tense up and stop the process.
The Role of the Front Vaginal Wall
The area most associated with squirting is the G-spot, located about 2 to 3 inches inside the vagina on the front (belly-side) wall. It’s not a distinct anatomical structure like a button. Rather, it’s a zone where the internal tissue of the clitoris, the urethra, and the Skene’s glands all sit close together. When pressure is applied to this area, it stimulates all three at once, which is why it produces a sensation that feels different from clitoral stimulation alone.
The tissue here often feels slightly ridged or spongy compared to the smoother walls deeper inside. During arousal, blood flow to the area increases and the tissue swells, making it easier to locate and more responsive to touch.
Techniques That Work
The most commonly recommended approach is internal manual stimulation using one or two lubricated fingers, inserted palm-up. Curl the fingers in a “come hither” motion against the front wall, applying firm, rhythmic pressure to the spongy area behind the pubic bone. This isn’t a light touch. The tissue responds to sustained, deliberate pressure more than to speed.
Experiment with variations: circular motions, consistent stroking in one direction, or pulsing pressure. What feels best differs significantly from person to person. Some people respond more to a rocking motion with the whole hand rather than just the fingertips.
External stimulation can help build intensity. Pressing gently on the lower abdomen just above the pubic bone with your free hand creates a “sandwich” effect, adding pressure to the G-spot area from the outside. Combining this with internal stimulation is one of the more effective approaches. Curved G-spot vibrators or toys designed with a hooked tip can also reach the right angle with less hand fatigue.
Blended stimulation, working the clitoris and the front vaginal wall at the same time, tends to produce the strongest response. This recruits coordinated contractions across multiple pelvic floor muscles simultaneously, which intensifies both arousal and the eventual release.
Why Pelvic Floor Muscles Matter
The pubococcygeus (PC) muscle, the main muscle of the pelvic floor, contracts rhythmically during orgasm and plays a direct role in expelling fluid from the Skene’s glands and urethra. Strengthening this muscle through regular Kegel exercises can make squirting easier over time, because stronger contractions create more force behind the release.
But here’s the counterintuitive part: the moment of squirting requires relaxation, not clenching. The PC muscle needs to release rather than tighten. Many people instinctively contract their pelvic floor when they feel the building pressure because it mimics the urge to urinate. Learning to consciously relax those muscles at the moment of peak sensation, essentially “bearing down” or pushing out gently rather than holding in, is often the single biggest factor in whether squirting happens.
The Mental Side
Anxiety is the most common barrier. The pressure to perform, self-consciousness about the fluid, or fear of urinating all trigger tension in exactly the muscles that need to stay relaxed. Approaching it with curiosity rather than a goal helps. Squirting is not a measure of sexual satisfaction, and treating it as something that either happens or doesn’t removes the psychological block that prevents it.
Practical steps that help: empty your bladder beforehand so you’re not worried about urine, put down a towel so you’re not anxious about the mess, and create an environment where you feel genuinely unhurried. Dim lighting, privacy, and freedom from interruption aren’t luxuries here. They directly affect your nervous system’s ability to shift into a relaxed arousal state. Deep, slow breathing during stimulation keeps the body from tensing up reflexively.
When the sensation builds to a peak and you feel a strong urge to release, the instinct will be to clamp down. Instead, exhale fully and let the pelvic floor soften. This is the “letting go” moment that people describe. It can feel vulnerable and unfamiliar the first time, which is exactly why a pressure-free mindset matters so much.
What to Realistically Expect
The volume of fluid varies enormously. Some people produce a small gush barely noticeable on a towel. Others release enough to soak through sheets. Both are normal. The fluid is typically clear and mostly odorless, though it can vary depending on hydration. Because it contains dilute urine along with glandular secretions, a slight scent is not unusual and doesn’t mean something went wrong.
Squirting doesn’t always accompany orgasm. It can happen before, during, or separately from climax. Some people squirt without feeling an orgasm at all, while others experience it as part of an intense one. It also isn’t something that happens reliably every time once you’ve done it once. Hydration levels, arousal, stress, and even where you are in your menstrual cycle can all influence whether it occurs on any given occasion.
Not every body responds the same way. Differences in the size and activity of the Skene’s glands, pelvic floor strength, and individual anatomy all play a role. Some people find it happens easily with minimal practice. Others experiment for a long time without the same result, and that’s a normal variation in physiology rather than a failure.