Squirting is the involuntary release of fluid from the urethra during sexual arousal or orgasm. It happens naturally in some women and is a normal part of sexual response, not a sign of anything wrong. Estimates of how common it is vary widely, from about 5% to 54% of women, depending on how the question is asked and how squirting is defined.
What Actually Happens
During sexual stimulation, some women experience a gush of fluid from the urethra (the same opening where urine exits). This can happen before, during, or after orgasm, and sometimes without orgasm at all. In a U.S. probability sample of women ages 18 to 93, only 20% of those who had experienced squirting said it “always” happened alongside orgasm. About 60% described it as very or somewhat pleasurable.
The experience is involuntary. It’s not something you consciously control, and it’s not urination, though the fluid does pass through the same opening. The volume varies enormously, from a few drops to more than 150 milliliters (roughly two-thirds of a cup). For most women, the amount is somewhere in the lower end of that range. What you see in pornography is not a realistic depiction of what most women experience.
Squirting vs. Female Ejaculation
These two terms are often used interchangeably, but researchers treat them as distinct events that can happen at the same time.
- Female ejaculation produces a small amount of thick, milky fluid, typically less than a quarter teaspoon. This fluid comes from the Skene’s glands, two tiny ducts located on either side of the urethral opening. It contains prostate-specific antigen (PSA), the same protein found in male ejaculate, because the Skene’s glands are the developmental equivalent of the male prostate.
- Squirting produces a larger volume of thinner, more watery fluid, anywhere from half an ounce to about three ounces in most cases. Chemically, this fluid is a mix: it shares some components with dilute urine and also contains PSA from the Skene’s glands. It originates primarily from the bladder.
In practice, both often happen together. The Skene’s glands release their small amount of ejaculate while a larger volume of fluid is expelled from the bladder at the same time. This is why chemical analysis of squirting fluid finds it to be a hybrid rather than pure urine or pure glandular secretion.
Where the Fluid Comes From
The Skene’s glands sit on either side of the urethra, close to the vaginal opening. They’re small and difficult to see with the naked eye. During arousal, blood flow to the area increases, causing the surrounding tissue to swell. These glands serve several purposes: they secrete fluid that lubricates the urethral opening, help protect against urinary tract infections, and produce the milky ejaculate fluid during sexual stimulation.
The larger volume of fluid associated with squirting comes from the bladder. Ultrasound studies have shown that the bladder fills rapidly during arousal and empties during the squirting event. This doesn’t mean squirting is simply urination. The fluid’s composition is distinct, diluted compared to normal urine and mixed with glandular secretions. The release mechanism is also different: it’s triggered by sexual stimulation of the tissue along the front vaginal wall (sometimes called the G-spot area), not by the same signals that trigger normal urination.
What Triggers It
Squirting is most commonly associated with stimulation of the front wall of the vagina, the area closest to the belly button. This region sits near the internal structure of the clitoris and the urethra, and pressure on it can stimulate the Skene’s glands and surrounding nerve-rich tissue. Some researchers describe this as the “clitoro-urethro-vaginal complex” because the clitoris, urethra, and vaginal wall are all closely connected in this area.
Not every woman will experience squirting regardless of the type of stimulation. Anatomy plays a role: the size and development of the Skene’s glands varies between individuals, and some women have larger or more active glands than others. There is no technique that guarantees it will happen, and not experiencing it is completely normal.
Why It Was Misunderstood for So Long
For decades, many urologists and gynecologists assumed that fluid released during sex was simply urinary incontinence, a condition called coital incontinence. This led to women feeling embarrassed or seeking treatment for something that was actually a normal sexual response. Research has since established that squirting, female ejaculation, and coital incontinence are three separate phenomena with different sources, volumes, chemical compositions, and subjective experiences.
The confusion persists partly because the fluid does exit through the urethra and does contain some urinary components. But the presence of PSA and the distinct timing and mechanism set squirting apart. Female ejaculate has even been found to serve a reproductive function: PSA helps dissolve the coagulated proteins in semen, which may enhance sperm motility.
What’s Normal
There is a wide range of normal when it comes to squirting. Some women experience it regularly, others rarely, and many never do. The volume can range from barely noticeable moisture to enough to soak through sheets. It can happen with a partner or during solo stimulation. It can accompany orgasm or occur separately from it.
If you experience squirting and it’s not causing discomfort or distress, there’s nothing that needs to be addressed. If fluid release during sex is frequent, high-volume, and happens outside of arousal, that may be coital incontinence rather than squirting, which is a pelvic floor issue worth discussing with a healthcare provider. The key distinction is context: squirting happens in response to sexual stimulation and is tied to arousal, while incontinence is related to pressure on the bladder from physical movement.