Squirting is the release of a noticeable amount of clear fluid from the urethra during sexual arousal or orgasm. It involves the bladder, specific glands near the urethra, and a combination of involuntary muscle contractions. About 5% of women report experiencing it, though the actual number may be higher since many don’t discuss it or aren’t sure what happened.
What surprises most people is that squirting and female ejaculation are two distinct events that can occur separately or at the same time. Understanding the difference clears up a lot of confusion about what’s actually going on in the body.
Squirting vs. Female Ejaculation
These two terms get used interchangeably, but they describe different processes with different fluids coming from different sources.
Squirting produces a clear, watery fluid in volumes ranging from tens to hundreds of milliliters. This fluid comes from the bladder and contains urea, creatinine, and uric acid, compounds also found in urine. However, squirting fluid isn’t simply urine. It also contains small amounts of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), glucose, and fructose, substances that urine does not contain. The bladder appears to fill rapidly during arousal and then release its contents through the urethra during orgasm or intense stimulation.
Female ejaculation is a much smaller event. It involves roughly 1 milliliter of thick, white, milky fluid that comes from the paraurethral glands (also called Skene’s glands). This fluid has a high concentration of PSA, fructose, and glucose, making its composition remarkably similar to components of male seminal fluid. Because the volume is so small, many people don’t notice it happening at all.
Both can happen simultaneously, which is why squirting fluid sometimes contains traces of PSA and fructose mixed in with the bladder-derived fluid.
Where the Fluid Comes From
The Skene’s glands are two small glands located on either side of the urethral opening. They sit in the vestibule of the vulva and are nearly impossible to see with the naked eye. These glands develop from the same embryonic cells that become the prostate in males, which is why they’re sometimes called the “female prostate.”
During sexual arousal, increased blood flow to the area causes the Skene’s glands to swell. They provide additional lubrication and can release their milky secretion during orgasm. The proteins in this secretion, particularly PSA and prostatic acid phosphatase, are characteristic markers of female prostate tissue and are not found in normal urine.
The larger volume of clear fluid associated with squirting follows a different path. Imaging studies have shown the bladder filling noticeably during arousal, even in participants who emptied their bladder immediately before. The fluid then exits through the urethra during the muscular contractions of orgasm. This rapid filling and release is involuntary, which is why many people describe a sudden sensation of “letting go” right before it happens.
What It Feels Like
The most commonly reported sensation before squirting is a building pressure that feels similar to needing to urinate. This makes sense given that the fluid accumulates in the bladder. Many people instinctively tense up or hold back at this point because they’re unsure whether they’re about to urinate, which can prevent squirting from occurring.
When the fluid does release, it typically coincides with orgasm or intense stimulation of the front vaginal wall, where the internal tissue of the Skene’s glands and surrounding nerve-rich areas sit close to the surface. The release itself is often described as a wave of relief or an intensified version of orgasm, though experiences vary widely. Some people squirt without orgasm, and many people orgasm without ever squirting.
Is It the Same as Urinating?
This is the most common concern. The short answer: no, but the two share some overlap. Squirting fluid originates in the bladder and exits through the urethra, the same pathway as urine. Chemical analysis confirms it contains urea and creatinine, which are also present in urine. But squirting fluid is more dilute than typical urine and contains PSA, glucose, and fructose, none of which appear in a standard urine sample.
Coital incontinence, the involuntary leakage of urine during penetration or orgasm, is a separate condition. It occurs in some people with pelvic floor weakness and produces fluid that is chemically identical to regular urine, without the PSA or sugar markers found in squirting fluid. If you experience leakage that concerns you, a pelvic floor assessment can help distinguish between the two.
Why Some People Squirt and Others Don’t
With an estimated prevalence of about 5%, squirting is far less common than popular media suggests. Several factors likely influence whether someone experiences it. The size and development of the Skene’s glands vary significantly between individuals. Some people have prominent glands with well-developed ducts, while in others these structures are minimal. This anatomical variation alone could explain why the experience isn’t universal.
Arousal level, comfort, pelvic floor muscle tone, and the type of stimulation involved all play a role as well. People who do experience squirting often report that it happens inconsistently, not every time they have sex or reach orgasm. It is neither a sign of a stronger orgasm nor a health concern. Whether it happens or not has no bearing on sexual function or satisfaction.