Squirting happens when fluid is expelled from the urethra during sexual arousal or orgasm, typically in response to pressure on the front wall of the vagina. It’s estimated that about 5% of women experience it regularly, though the exact number is hard to pin down because definitions vary and many people don’t report it. Understanding what’s actually happening in the body requires looking at a few different structures working together.
The Anatomy Involved
Two key structures play a role in squirting: the bladder and a pair of tiny glands called the Skene’s glands. The Skene’s glands sit on either side of the urethral opening and are sometimes called the “female prostate” because they produce proteins similar to those found in male semen. During sexual arousal, blood flow to the area increases, causing these glands to swell. They secrete a milky, mucus-like fluid that can be released through the urethra.
The bladder also plays a direct role. Ultrasound imaging has shown that even when a person urinates immediately before sexual activity, the bladder can completely refill during arousal and empty again at the moment of squirting. This rapid refilling is one of the more surprising findings in the research and explains why the volume of fluid can sometimes be quite large.
Squirting vs. Female Ejaculation
Scientists actually distinguish between two different types of fluid release, even though most people use “squirting” and “female ejaculation” interchangeably. Female ejaculation, in the strict sense, refers to a small amount of thick, milky white fluid produced by the Skene’s glands. This fluid contains proteins from what researchers consider the female prostate, and the volume is typically just a few milliliters.
Squirting, by contrast, involves a much larger volume of thinner, more watery fluid. In a well-known study using ultrasound, researchers confirmed that this larger volume originates primarily from the bladder. Neurophysiologist Beverly Whipple of Rutgers University has argued that squirting fluid is essentially dilute urine mixed with secretions from the Skene’s glands. In some cases, squirting fluid also contains elevated levels of glucose and prostate-specific antigens that wouldn’t be present in regular urine, confirming that the Skene’s glands contribute to the mix. Many people experience both types of fluid release simultaneously, which is why the distinction isn’t obvious in practice.
What Triggers It Physically
The most common trigger is firm, rhythmic pressure on the front (anterior) wall of the vagina. This area, sometimes referred to as the G-spot, sits along the urethrovaginal space, a zone rich in nerve endings, blood vessels, glandular tissue, and muscular fibers. Pressing on this wall from inside the vagina effectively stimulates the Skene’s glands and the tissue surrounding the urethra from the other side.
This is why the “come hither” finger motion is so often associated with squirting. Curling one or two fingers upward toward the belly button while inside the vagina creates direct pressure on this nerve-dense front wall. Toys with a curved shape work on the same principle. Some people find that combining this internal pressure with external clitoral stimulation makes squirting more likely, since the clitoris extends internally and shares nerve pathways with the surrounding tissue.
Relaxation matters as much as stimulation. The sensation right before squirting often feels similar to the urge to urinate, which makes sense given that the fluid passes through the urethra and partially originates from the bladder. Many people instinctively tense up or clench their pelvic floor muscles at this point, which can prevent the release. Bearing down or consciously relaxing those muscles, rather than tightening them, is what allows the fluid to come out.
Why Some People Squirt and Others Don’t
The size and development of the Skene’s glands vary significantly from person to person. Some people have prominent, well-developed glands, while in others they’re barely detectable. This anatomical variation likely explains why some people squirt easily, some only in certain conditions, and some never do regardless of technique. It’s a structural difference, not a skill gap or a measure of arousal.
Arousal level, comfort, and pelvic floor awareness also factor in. High states of arousal cause more engorgement of the tissue surrounding the urethra, which may make fluid release more likely. People who are anxious about the sensation, worried about making a mess, or unable to relax their pelvic muscles will have a harder time experiencing it, even if the physical stimulation is right.
What It Feels Like
Descriptions vary widely. Some people experience squirting alongside an intense orgasm, while others say it happens without a clear orgasmic peak. The fluid release itself is often described as a sudden feeling of letting go or pressure releasing. It can range from a small gush to a more dramatic expulsion, depending on how much fluid has built up in the bladder and Skene’s glands.
The fluid is typically clear or slightly cloudy, warm, and mostly odorless or with a very faint scent. Because it’s a mix of bladder fluid and glandular secretions rather than pure urine, it generally doesn’t look or smell like urine, though the composition overlaps. The volume can be anywhere from a teaspoon to enough to soak through sheets, which is the range researchers have documented.