Squirting is the involuntary release of fluid from the urethra during sexual arousal or orgasm. It’s a normal physiological response that happens to many women, though the exact percentage varies across studies. Earlier research estimates that fewer than 50% of women experience it, and the volume can range from a few drops to over 150 milliliters.
What the Fluid Actually Is
This is the question most people really want answered, and the science is surprisingly nuanced. The fluid released during squirting is not one single substance. It’s a mix, primarily composed of diluted urine along with secretions from two small glands called the Skene’s glands, which sit on either side of the urethra.
Biochemical analysis of squirting fluid consistently finds urea and creatinine, both waste products normally found in urine. That confirms the bladder plays a major role. But the fluid also frequently contains prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein produced by the Skene’s glands. PSA is not found in regular urine, which tells researchers that squirting fluid is chemically distinct from simply urinating. The Skene’s glands produce a milky secretion containing proteins similar to those found in male semen, which is why they’re sometimes called the “female prostate.”
So the short answer: squirting fluid comes mostly from the bladder but is mixed with prostatic secretions that make it different from plain urine.
What Happens Inside the Body
A 2015 ultrasound study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine mapped the process in real time. Researchers had participants empty their bladders completely, confirmed the bladders were empty via ultrasound, then monitored them during sexual stimulation. In every participant, the bladder rapidly refilled during arousal. A second ultrasound taken just before squirting showed noticeable bladder filling, and a scan immediately after showed the bladder had emptied again.
This means the kidneys produce fluid at an accelerated rate during sexual arousal, the bladder fills quickly, and that fluid is then expelled through the urethra at the point of orgasm or peak arousal. The Skene’s glands, which swell with increased blood flow during stimulation, contribute their own secretion to the mix as it passes through.
What Triggers It
Squirting is most commonly associated with stimulation of the G-spot, an area on the front wall of the vagina. Early case studies from the 1980s documented that women who experienced squirting did so specifically during G-spot stimulation, not during clitoral stimulation alone, even when they could orgasm from either type. The fluid was observed exiting from the urethra rather than the vagina.
Not every woman who receives G-spot stimulation will squirt, and some women squirt from other types of stimulation entirely. Pelvic floor muscle engagement, the intensity of arousal, and individual anatomy all play a role. The Skene’s glands vary in size from person to person, which likely explains why some women produce more fluid than others or don’t experience it at all.
How Much Fluid Is Normal
The volume varies enormously. In a large international survey published in BJU International, about 12% of women who ejaculated reported volumes around 0.3 milliliters (barely noticeable), while 25% reported more than 150 milliliters. The majority fell somewhere in between, with about 29% estimating around 60 milliliters, roughly a quarter cup. There’s no “correct” amount, and volume can change from one experience to the next depending on hydration, arousal level, and how long stimulation lasts.
Squirting vs. Coital Incontinence
Because squirting involves fluid from the bladder exiting the urethra, it’s natural to wonder whether it’s just urinary incontinence. Coital incontinence is a recognized medical condition where urine leaks involuntarily during penetration or orgasm, and it feels unwanted. The key differences are context and composition. Squirting typically happens at peak arousal or orgasm, is linked to pleasurable sensation, and contains PSA from the Skene’s glands. Coital incontinence can happen at any point during sex, often feels uncontrollable in a distressing way, and is associated with pelvic floor weakness.
Many women report feeling a strong urge to urinate right before squirting because of the pressure building in the bladder during arousal. Some empty their bladders beforehand specifically to distinguish between the two experiences. If fluid release during sex causes discomfort, pain, or happens outside of arousal, that’s worth discussing with a pelvic health specialist. But squirting on its own is not a sign of a medical problem.
Practical Tips for Comfort
The same survey that measured fluid volumes found that squirting had a broadly positive impact on women’s sexual lives and their partners’ experiences. Still, the fluid volume can be a practical concern. Laying down a towel or waterproof mattress protector before sex removes the worry about cleanup. Emptying your bladder beforehand can reduce the volume and help you feel more relaxed about the sensation.
If you or your partner experience squirting and feel self-conscious about it, understanding the biology can help. It’s an involuntary reflex tied to arousal, not a hygiene issue. Communication with a partner about what feels good and what to expect makes the experience more comfortable for everyone involved. Some people find that relaxing into the sensation rather than tensing up (which is a common instinct when it feels like you need to urinate) allows squirting to happen more naturally and feel more pleasurable.