Squirting is the expulsion of fluid from the urethra during sexual arousal or orgasm, and it involves a specific set of anatomical structures working together. About 5% of women report experiencing it, though the actual number may be higher since many people don’t distinguish between squirting and general wetness during sex. Understanding how it works starts with the anatomy involved and what triggers the response.
The Anatomy Behind It
Two small glands called Skene’s glands sit on either side of the urethral opening. These glands are sometimes called the “female prostate” because they share structural and chemical similarities with the male prostate gland. They have tiny openings that allow fluid to pass through, and the tissue surrounding them swells during sexual arousal.
Running along the front wall of the vagina is an area dense with nerve endings, erectile tissue, the internal portion of the clitoris, and these glands. This is the region commonly referred to as the G-spot, though it’s not a single discrete “button” so much as a zone where multiple sensitive structures overlap. Perineal ultrasound imaging has confirmed that gland tissue surrounds the entire length of the female urethra, which explains why internal stimulation of the front vaginal wall can activate this whole network.
Squirting and Ejaculation Are Two Different Things
Scientists now distinguish between two separate responses that often get lumped together. Female ejaculation is the release of roughly 1 milliliter of thick, milky-white fluid from the Skene’s glands. This fluid contains high levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), fructose, and glucose, giving it a chemical profile surprisingly similar to male seminal fluid (minus the sperm).
Squirting is different. It involves a much larger volume of clear fluid, anywhere from tens to hundreds of milliliters, released from the urethra. Chemical analysis shows this fluid contains urea, creatinine, and uric acid, meaning it originates in the kidneys and collects in the bladder. However, squirting fluid also contains small amounts of PSA, glucose, and fructose, which suggests both responses can happen simultaneously. In other words, squirting is primarily dilute fluid from the bladder mixed with secretions from the Skene’s glands.
This is why some people worry that squirting is “just urine.” The bladder is involved, but the fluid isn’t the same as regular urine. It’s produced rapidly during arousal, and its chemical makeup reflects contributions from both the bladder and the female prostate tissue.
What Triggers the Response
Squirting is most commonly associated with stimulation of the front vaginal wall, about one to two inches inside the vaginal opening, where the underlying tissue feels slightly ridged or spongy compared to the smoother back wall. When this area is stimulated, the surrounding tissue engorges with blood and the Skene’s glands begin producing fluid. Firm, rhythmic pressure using a “come hither” finger motion or angled penetration that targets this wall is the most frequently described physical trigger.
Arousal matters as much as technique. The tissue needs time to become fully engorged before the response is possible. Many people who experience squirting describe a building sensation of pressure, similar to the feeling of needing to urinate, just before fluid is released. That pressure sensation is the swollen tissue pressing against the urethra and bladder. Relaxing into the sensation rather than tensing against it is often described as the difference between squirting and not.
Pelvic floor muscles play a supporting role. These are the muscles that contract rhythmically during orgasm, and stronger pelvic floor tone adds intensity to those contractions. The interplay between muscular contraction, tissue engorgement, and the release of built-up fluid pressure is what produces the expulsion.
Why Some People Experience It and Others Don’t
Skene’s glands vary significantly in size from person to person. Some people have well-developed glands with larger ducts, while in others these glands are much smaller or nearly absent. This anatomical variation is the most likely explanation for why squirting comes easily to some people and never happens for others, regardless of technique or arousal level.
Psychological factors matter too. Because the sensation before squirting mimics the urge to urinate, many people instinctively clench their pelvic muscles to prevent it, which can suppress the response. Feeling relaxed and not anxious about the outcome makes the release more likely. This isn’t a failure of technique when it doesn’t happen; it’s a reflection of natural anatomical and psychological differences between individuals.
Pelvic Floor Strength and Sexual Response
The pelvic floor muscles do more than support orgasm. They hold the pelvic organs in place, affect bladder control, and contribute to stability in the lower back, hips, and legs. When these muscles are toned, orgasmic contractions tend to feel more intense, and the coordination needed for fluid release during squirting may come more naturally.
Pelvic floor exercises (commonly known as Kegels) strengthen these muscles by repeatedly contracting and releasing them. Over time, this builds the ability to isolate and control the muscles involved in both orgasm and the bearing-down release associated with squirting. Stronger pelvic floor tone also helps with urinary continence, which can reduce anxiety about the “am I going to pee?” sensation that sometimes prevents people from letting the squirting response happen.
What the Fluid Looks and Feels Like
Squirting fluid is typically clear and watery, with little to no odor. It’s noticeably thinner and more voluminous than the milky ejaculate from the Skene’s glands. The amount varies widely, from a small gush that might barely be noticed to enough to soak through sheets. Both responses can occur during orgasm or, in some cases, during high arousal without orgasm.
The experience itself varies. Some people describe it as an intensification of orgasm, while others say it feels like a distinct release of pressure that may or may not coincide with the peak of climax. Neither experience is more “correct,” and squirting is not an indicator of a better or stronger orgasm. It’s simply one possible physiological response among many during sexual arousal.