Squirting is a release of fluid from the urethra that some women experience during sexual arousal or orgasm. It typically involves stimulation of the front vaginal wall, often combined with clitoral stimulation, and results from a buildup of fluid in the bladder during arousal. Estimates of how many women experience it vary widely, from about 5% to over 50% depending on the study, which reflects both genuine biological variation and differences in how researchers define and measure it.
What Actually Happens in the Body
Two small glands called Skene’s glands sit on either side of the urethral opening. During sexual arousal, the tissue surrounding these glands swells with increased blood flow and secretes fluid. In some women, these glands produce a small amount of milky white fluid during orgasm that contains proteins similar to those found in semen. This is sometimes called “true” female ejaculation, and the volume is usually quite small.
Squirting, which involves a larger volume of fluid, is a related but distinct process. Ultrasound imaging has confirmed that the bladder fills rapidly during sexual arousal, even after a woman has recently urinated. A 2015 study by Salama and colleagues used ultrasound at three points: before arousal (empty bladder), just before squirting (noticeably full bladder), and just after squirting (empty again). A 2022 study went further, injecting blue dye into the bladder before stimulation. The discharged fluid was blue in every case, confirming the bladder as the source.
Chemical analysis shows the fluid is mostly dilute urine, but five out of seven women in one study also had traces of prostatic-specific antigen (PSA) in their squirted fluid that wasn’t present in their regular urine. So the fluid appears to be a mix: primarily from the bladder, with contributions from the Skene’s glands.
The Role of the G-Spot and Clitoris
The G-spot, Skene’s glands, and the internal structure of the clitoris (called the urethral sponge) all occupy the same general area along the front vaginal wall. Stimulating one tends to stimulate all three. This is why G-spot pressure is so closely linked to the squirting response: you’re activating the entire cluster of tissue responsible for fluid production and release.
The G-spot is located roughly 2 to 3 inches inside the vagina on the front wall (the side facing your belly button). It often feels slightly ridged or spongy compared to the smoother tissue around it. For many women, squirting happens through G-spot stimulation alone, or through simultaneous G-spot and clitoral stimulation. Starting with clitoral arousal builds blood flow to the entire area, which makes the internal tissue more responsive.
Techniques That Work
The most commonly recommended approach is manual stimulation using one or two fingers, inserted palm-up. Curl the fingers in a “come hither” motion against the front vaginal wall. This targets the G-spot directly. Experiment with pressure, speed, and rhythm. Some women respond to steady, firm pressure, while others prefer lighter circular motions. There’s no single technique that works for everyone.
A few variations to try:
- Internal only: Focus the come-hither motion on the front wall, gradually increasing pressure as arousal builds.
- Combined internal and external: While stimulating the G-spot internally, use your other hand to apply gentle pressure on the lower abdomen just above the pubic bone. This essentially presses toward the G-spot from both sides.
- Clitoral plus internal: Use clitoral stimulation (fingers, tongue, or a vibrator) to build arousal first, then add internal G-spot pressure. A wand-style vibrator on the clitoris paired with finger stimulation inside is a common combination.
Curved G-spot vibrators or toys designed for front-wall pressure can also be effective, especially for solo exploration where hand positioning gets awkward.
Why Relaxation Matters More Than Technique
The sensation that precedes squirting often feels like the urge to urinate. This makes sense given what’s happening anatomically: the bladder is filling, and pressure is being applied near the urethra. Many women instinctively clench or pull back at this point, which stops the process. The single most important factor beyond physical stimulation is the ability to relax into that sensation and let go rather than tightening up.
This is partly why squirting is more common during solo exploration than partnered sex for many women. There’s less self-consciousness, less concern about mess, and more freedom to stay with unfamiliar sensations. If you’re trying with a partner, communicating that you need to fully relax (and that things might get wet) removes a major psychological barrier.
Placing a towel or waterproof pad underneath you beforehand is a small practical step that makes a real difference in how comfortable you feel letting go.
Hydration and Preparation
Since the fluid involved comes primarily from the bladder, staying well hydrated in the hours beforehand gives your body more fluid to work with. Some women find that drinking a few extra glasses of water makes the experience easier.
Emptying your bladder before you start is helpful for two reasons. First, it lets you distinguish between the “need to pee” feeling that comes from an actually full bladder and the similar sensation created by G-spot pressure during arousal. Second, the ultrasound research shows the bladder refills on its own during arousal, so starting empty doesn’t prevent squirting. It just removes ambiguity about what you’re feeling.
Not Everyone Will Experience It
Skene’s glands vary significantly in size from person to person. Some women have well-developed glands, others have very small ones, and a small percentage may lack them entirely. This anatomical variation likely explains why squirting comes easily to some women, takes practice for others, and doesn’t happen at all for some regardless of technique.
Survey data reflects this range. One study of 1,172 women found that about 40% reported ejaculating, while another study of 300 women put the number at under 5%. The wide gap comes partly from how the question is asked and how women interpret it, but genuine biological differences play a role too. Squirting is not a measure of arousal, sexual skill, or orgasm quality. Some women who experience intense orgasms never squirt, and some women squirt without orgasming at all. The two responses involve overlapping but separate mechanisms.