Squirting involves the expulsion of fluid from the urethra during sexual arousal or orgasm. It originates primarily from two small glands near the urethral opening called the Skene’s glands, sometimes referred to as the “female prostate” because they develop from the same embryonic cells as the male prostate. Between 40 and 54 percent of women report experiencing some form of fluid release during sexual stimulation, though the volume and frequency vary widely from person to person.
The Anatomy Behind It
The Skene’s glands sit on either side of the urethral opening. During sexual arousal, increased blood flow to the area causes the surrounding tissue to swell, and the glands begin producing fluid. This fluid drains through tiny ducts that open into or near the urethra, which is why the fluid exits from the same place urine does, even though its source is different.
These glands produce a milk-like substance that contains proteins also found in male semen, including prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Biochemical studies comparing the fluid expelled during orgasm to urine collected beforehand found they were clearly different. The ejaculate contained markers consistent with prostate-type secretions rather than the chemical profile of urine. This is a key point in the scientific debate: while the fluid passes through the urethra, it is not simply urine.
Ejaculation vs. Squirting
Researchers actually distinguish between two related but different phenomena. Female ejaculation in the strict sense refers to a small amount of thick, whitish fluid released from the Skene’s glands. Squirting, by contrast, involves a larger volume of clear, watery fluid expelled in gushes. Most people use “squirting” to describe both, but the mechanisms overlap in ways scientists are still working out.
The larger-volume squirting fluid does appear to contain some diluted components from the bladder, mixed with secretions from the Skene’s glands. This is why some studies have detected trace amounts of urea in the fluid while simultaneously finding prostatic markers that urine does not contain. The practical takeaway: squirting is a normal physiological response, not a sign of urinary incontinence. Researchers have emphasized that distinguishing between the two is important precisely because squirting is a healthy sexual response, while coital incontinence is a medical condition caused by pelvic floor dysfunction and requires treatment.
What Triggers It
Stimulation of the front vaginal wall, commonly called the G-spot, is the most frequently reported trigger. This area sits about 2 to 3 inches inside the vagina on the front (belly-button) side and overlaps with the tissue surrounding the urethra and Skene’s glands. Applying pressure there essentially stimulates the glands from the inside.
A common technique involves inserting one or two fingers and curling them in a “come hither” motion against that front wall. Some people combine this with external pressure on the lower abdomen, just above the pubic bone, which presses the tissue from both sides. Rhythmic, consistent stimulation tends to be more effective than speed or force. Experimenting with different pressures, circular motions, and pacing helps because the sensitivity and location of this tissue varies from person to person.
Arousal level matters significantly. The Skene’s glands swell and produce more fluid the more aroused someone is, so extended foreplay and relaxation tend to make squirting more likely. Many women describe a building sensation of pressure, similar to the feeling of needing to urinate, right before it happens. That pressure sensation often causes people to tense up or pull back, but relaxing into it rather than clenching is what allows the fluid to release.
Why Some People Experience It and Others Don’t
The size of the Skene’s glands varies considerably between individuals. Some women have well-developed glands that produce noticeable fluid, while others have smaller glands or glands that produce very little. This anatomical variation is the most likely reason squirting comes easily for some people and never happens for others, regardless of technique or arousal. In surveys, reported rates range from about 40 to 54 percent of women experiencing it at some point, suggesting it falls well within the range of normal sexual variation rather than being universal or rare.
There is no evidence that the ability to squirt correlates with sexual health, pelvic floor strength, or any other measurable physical trait. It is simply one of many ways bodies respond to stimulation, and its presence or absence says nothing about sexual function or satisfaction.
What It Feels Like
Women who experience squirting commonly describe a building pressure in the pelvic area during stimulation, followed by a sensation of release. The fluid itself ranges from a small amount of thick, whitish liquid to a larger gush of clear, watery fluid. Some people experience it alongside orgasm, while others report it happening separately, either before or during climax without a distinct orgasmic sensation accompanying it.
The volume varies dramatically. Some people produce barely enough to notice, while others release enough to soak through sheets. Neither end of this spectrum indicates anything abnormal. Research from a BJU International survey found that women who experienced ejaculation generally reported it as a positive addition to their sexual experience, and their partners tended to view it positively as well.