Squirting is the expulsion of fluid from the urethra during sexual arousal or orgasm. Around 40% of adult women in the U.S. report having experienced it at least once, with a median frequency of three to five times over their lifetime. Despite a long history of confusion and stigma, squirting is a well-documented physiological response, not a sign of anything abnormal.
Where the Fluid Comes From
Two separate sources contribute to the fluid released during squirting, and the ratio between them varies from person to person.
The first source is the Skene’s glands, a pair of tiny glands with openings on either side of the urethra. These glands are sometimes called the “female prostate” because they share structural and chemical similarities with the male prostate. During sexual arousal, the tissue surrounding the Skene’s glands swells with blood flow. They produce a milky, mucus-like substance that contains proteins also found in male semen, including prostate-specific antigen (PSA). This secretion is small in volume, typically just a few milliliters.
The second source is the bladder. A 2015 ultrasound study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine tracked what happens inside the body during squirting. Researchers confirmed that participants’ bladders were empty before stimulation began. During arousal, the bladder filled noticeably. After squirting, the bladder was empty again. This means a significant portion of the larger-volume fluid passes through the bladder before being expelled.
How the Fluid Differs From Urine
The question most people really want answered is whether squirting is “just peeing.” The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. The fluid does travel through the urethra and does involve bladder filling, so it shares some components with urine. But biochemical analysis shows it is not the same as regular urine.
Researchers comparing the two fluids found that squirting fluid contains high levels of PSA and low levels of creatinine. Voided urine shows the opposite pattern: low PSA and high creatinine. PSA is a marker of prostatic tissue, and its presence in squirting fluid confirms that the Skene’s glands are actively contributing secretions to whatever the bladder releases. So the fluid is best understood as a dilute, modified mixture rather than straightforward urine.
How Common It Is
Squirting is far more common than older medical literature suggested. Earlier estimates ranged widely, from about 5% to 55% of women, partly because studies used inconsistent definitions. A large U.S. probability sample of women ages 18 to 93 found that 40% had squirted at some point in their lives. Among those who had experienced it, the typical frequency was three to five times total, though some reported it happening regularly.
The wide range in older studies likely reflects differences in how questions were asked, whether researchers distinguished between the small-volume milky ejaculate from the Skene’s glands and the larger-volume clear fluid most people mean when they say “squirting,” and whether participants felt comfortable reporting it honestly.
What It Feels Like
Many people describe the buildup to squirting as similar to the sensation of needing to urinate, which makes sense given that the bladder is filling during arousal. That similarity is one reason some people instinctively tense up or hold back during sex. The actual release, however, feels distinct from urination. People commonly describe a sudden tightening of the pelvic muscles followed by a wave of release that feels more like an involuntary letting-go than a deliberate push. Some experience it alongside orgasm, while others report it happening separately from climax.
The volume of fluid varies considerably. Some people release a small amount barely noticeable on sheets; others expel enough to soak through bedding. Neither end of that spectrum is unusual, and the volume can change from one experience to the next depending on hydration, arousal level, and the type of stimulation involved.
Why It Happens for Some People and Not Others
Skene’s glands vary in size from person to person. Some are large enough to be detected on imaging, while others are so small they’re nearly undetectable. This anatomical variation likely plays a role in whether someone produces noticeable ejaculatory fluid during arousal. The glands’ tiny openings are almost impossible to see with the naked eye, so there’s no way to gauge their size or activity without specialized imaging.
Beyond anatomy, the experience often depends on comfort and arousal. Because the pre-squirting sensation mimics urinary urgency, people who instinctively clench their pelvic floor muscles to avoid what feels like an accident may prevent the release from happening. Those who have experienced squirting multiple times frequently describe learning to relax through that sensation rather than resist it.
Squirting vs. Female Ejaculation
These two terms are often used interchangeably, but researchers increasingly treat them as related but distinct events. Female ejaculation in the narrower sense refers to the small amount of thick, whitish fluid produced by the Skene’s glands. Squirting refers to the larger gush of clear, watery fluid that involves bladder filling and release. In practice, both can happen at the same time, and most people experience some blend of the two. The distinction matters mainly in research settings where scientists are trying to trace the origin of specific chemical markers in the fluid.