Female squirting is the release of fluid from the urethra during sexual arousal or orgasm. It comes from two small glands that sit on either side of the urethral opening, and somewhere between 10% and 54% of women experience it. Despite being relatively common, it remains one of the more misunderstood aspects of female sexual response.
Where the Fluid Comes From
The fluid originates primarily from the Skene’s glands, two tiny structures located on the left and right side of the urethral opening. These glands are so small they’re very hard to see, but they play a meaningful role during arousal. When stimulated, they can produce and release a milky, mucus-like substance that exits through the urethra.
The Skene’s glands are essentially the female equivalent of the prostate gland. Researchers have confirmed that this tissue is embryologically and physiologically identical to the male prostate: it contains the same types of glandular and secretive elements, produces the same proteins found in male semen (minus sperm), and responds to the same hormonal signals. For this reason, many scientists now refer to the Skene’s glands simply as the “female prostate.” The concept isn’t new. Scholars proposed the existence of this tissue as far back as 400 BCE, and anatomists first depicted it surrounding the female urethra in the 1670s.
What the Fluid Actually Is
The fluid released during squirting is not urine. It’s a clear or slightly milky liquid that contains proteins very similar to those found in the prostatic component of semen. It exits through the urethra, which is why it’s sometimes confused with urinary leakage, but its chemical makeup is distinct.
That said, there is a real medical condition called coital incontinence, where urine leaks involuntarily during sex due to a bladder or urethral disorder. The two can look similar from the outside, but they have completely different causes. Ejaculation is a normal physiological sexual response. Coital incontinence involves an underlying issue with bladder control and may benefit from treatment. Imaging, ultrasound, and biochemical testing can distinguish between them when there’s uncertainty.
What Triggers It
Squirting is most commonly associated with stimulation of the area along the front wall of the vagina, often called the G-spot. This isn’t a single button-like structure. It’s a region of tissue felt through the vaginal wall that includes the internal portions of the clitoris, the Skene’s glands (female prostate), the urethra, and surrounding erectile tissue. When this area is stimulated, it swells with blood flow and becomes extremely sensitive.
Not all women who stimulate this area will ejaculate, and some women ejaculate from clitoral stimulation alone or from other forms of arousal without any internal contact. The experience varies widely. Some women release a small amount of fluid they barely notice, while others produce a more noticeable volume. Neither end of that spectrum is abnormal.
The Role of Pelvic Floor Muscles
During orgasm, rhythmic involuntary contractions pulse through the lower vagina, uterus, anus, and pelvic floor. These contractions are what create the physical sensation of orgasm, and they also appear to play a role in expelling fluid from the Skene’s glands through the urethra.
The pelvic floor muscles, particularly the group sometimes called the PC muscles, can influence the intensity of these contractions. Kegel exercises, which strengthen the pelvic floor through repeated squeezing and releasing, have been shown to increase orgasm intensity. Some women find that stronger pelvic floor muscles also make ejaculation more likely or more pronounced, though this connection hasn’t been studied as rigorously.
Why It Varies So Much Between People
The wide prevalence range of 10% to 54% reflects a real biological reality: Skene’s glands vary dramatically in size from person to person. Some women have well-developed glands that produce noticeable fluid, while others have very small glands or glands that don’t produce much secretion at all. This is simply anatomical variation, the same way other body structures differ in size and function between individuals.
Whether or not you experience squirting says nothing about your sexual health, arousal level, or ability to orgasm. It’s one of many possible responses during sexual activity, not a benchmark. The stigma and confusion around it often come from the fact that female sexual anatomy has been historically understudied. Researchers are still catching up to questions that women have been asking for a long time.