Female cum is fluid released from the genitals during sexual arousal or orgasm. It can come from multiple sources, including vaginal lubrication, a small milky secretion from glands near the urethra, or a larger gush of clear fluid from the bladder. These are distinct processes, and understanding the differences clears up a lot of confusion.
Where the Fluid Comes From
There are three main sources of fluid during female sexual activity, and they often overlap.
The first is vaginal lubrication, a slippery, clear fluid produced by the vaginal walls during arousal. This is the most common and familiar type. Blood flow to the vaginal tissue increases during stimulation, causing moisture to pass through the vaginal lining. This fluid acts as a natural lubricant.
The second source is a pair of tiny glands called the Skene’s glands, located on either side of the urethral opening. These glands develop from the same embryonic tissue that becomes the prostate in males, which is why they’re sometimes called the “female prostate.” During arousal, the tissue surrounding these glands swells with blood flow, and they can secrete a thick, milky-white fluid. This is what researchers specifically refer to as female ejaculate. The volume is small, typically around 1 milliliter.
The third source is the bladder. During intense arousal or orgasm, some women release a larger volume of clear fluid from the urethra. This is commonly called squirting, and studies have confirmed it originates from the bladder. The volume ranges from tens to hundreds of milliliters.
Ejaculation and Squirting Are Different Things
These two terms are often used interchangeably, but they describe different physical events. Female ejaculation refers specifically to the small amount of thick, white, milky fluid secreted by the Skene’s glands. Squirting refers to the release of a much larger quantity of clear fluid from the bladder through the urethra. Both can happen at the same time, and both can happen independently. They are two distinct physiological components of female sexual response.
The milky ejaculate from the Skene’s glands contains proteins similar to those found in male semen, including prostate-specific antigen (PSA). This protein plays a role in dissolving seminal fluid after intercourse, which may help sperm move more freely. Squirting fluid, by contrast, is chemically closer to very dilute urine, though its composition changes during arousal.
What It Looks and Feels Like
Vaginal lubrication is clear, slippery, and builds gradually during arousal. Female ejaculate is whitish, thicker, and typically appears during or just after orgasm. Squirting fluid is clear and watery, released in a noticeable gush.
During orgasm, the muscles of the vagina and uterus contract rhythmically. These contractions can push fluid out, whether that’s vaginal lubrication, ejaculate from the Skene’s glands, or both. Some women feel a distinct sensation of release with squirting, while others may not notice ejaculate at all given the small volume involved. Not every orgasm produces visible fluid, and not every woman experiences ejaculation or squirting.
How Common It Is
Estimates vary widely depending on how the question is asked and what counts as ejaculation. In one population survey, 54% of 233 women reported a spurt of fluid at orgasm. A larger mail survey of over 1,100 women found that about 40% identified as ejaculators. Other studies put the number much lower, with one finding only about 5% of 300 women reporting ejaculation. The wide range reflects genuine differences in how women experience arousal, differences in anatomy (Skene’s glands vary in size from person to person), and the difficulty of distinguishing between types of fluid in real-world conditions.
Ejaculation vs. Urinary Incontinence
One reason this topic generates confusion is that fluid released during sex can sometimes be urine rather than ejaculate, a condition called coital urinary incontinence. The fluid in both cases exits through the urethra, making them easy to confuse. The International Continence Society considers it important to distinguish between the two, because one is a normal sexual response and the other can be a sign of pelvic floor issues.
The key differences: ejaculate is typically a small volume of milky fluid released around orgasm, while coital incontinence often involves a larger volume of fluid that may occur during penetration rather than orgasm, and feels more like a loss of bladder control. Squirting falls in a gray area, since the fluid does come from the bladder, but it occurs in the context of high arousal and is considered a normal physiological response rather than a medical problem. If the fluid release causes distress or happens outside of arousal, it may be worth exploring whether pelvic floor function is a factor.