Squirting happens when fluid is expelled from the urethra during sexual arousal or orgasm, typically in response to stimulation of the front vaginal wall and the glands surrounding the urethra. Somewhere between 10 and 54 percent of women experience it, and it can occur before, during, or after orgasm.
The Glands Behind the Fluid
The key structures involved are the Skene’s glands, two small glands about the size of a blueberry located on either side of the urethral opening. These glands are sometimes called the “female prostate” because they produce proteins similar to those found in male prostate fluid, including prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a compound not found in urine.
During sexual arousal, the tissue surrounding the Skene’s glands swells with blood, much like erectile tissue. This engorgement causes the glands to secrete fluid. In some people, these glands produce a milky, mucus-like substance during orgasm that closely resembles ejaculation. The size and activity level of the Skene’s glands vary significantly from person to person, which likely explains why some women squirt easily, others rarely, and some never do.
What the Fluid Actually Contains
Research has found that squirting fluid is not simply urine, though it does pass through the urethra and can contain diluted components of urine since the bladder is nearby. A study from Okayama University analyzing fluid from five women found that four out of five samples contained PSA, confirming that the Skene’s glands contribute to the fluid. This makes the composition a mix: largely watery fluid that has passed through or accumulated in the bladder, combined with secretions from the Skene’s glands that give it a distinct biochemical profile.
The volume varies widely. Some women produce a small amount of thicker, whitish fluid (closer to what researchers call “female ejaculation” in a strict sense), while others release a larger gush of thinner, more watery fluid. These may actually be two overlapping but different phenomena, with the smaller volume coming primarily from the Skene’s glands and the larger volume involving the bladder as well.
What Type of Stimulation Triggers It
Squirting is most commonly associated with stimulation of the front (anterior) vaginal wall, roughly 2 to 3 inches inside the vaginal opening on the side closest to the belly button. This area, often referred to as the G-spot, sits directly over the Skene’s glands and the surrounding erectile tissue. Firm, rhythmic pressure against this area engorges the tissue and encourages the glands to fill and release fluid.
That said, squirting doesn’t require one specific technique. Some women experience it from clitoral stimulation alone, from penetration at certain angles, or from combined stimulation. The common thread is sufficient arousal and engorgement of the tissue surrounding the urethra. Relaxation also plays a significant role. The sensation leading up to squirting often feels similar to the urge to urinate, which can cause people to tense up and hold back. Bearing down or relaxing the pelvic floor muscles instead of clenching them makes it more likely to happen.
Timing and Orgasm
Squirting does not require an orgasm, and an orgasm does not guarantee squirting. The two are related but independent events. Squirting can happen right before orgasm as arousal peaks, simultaneously with orgasm, or shortly after. Some women squirt without feeling an orgasm at all, while others orgasm without any fluid release. The muscular contractions of orgasm can help push fluid out, but the fluid buildup itself is driven by arousal and gland activity rather than orgasm specifically.
Why Some Women Squirt and Others Don’t
The wide prevalence range of 10 to 54 percent reflects both genuine biological variation and differences in how studies define and measure squirting. On the anatomical side, Skene’s glands vary considerably in size from person to person. Some women have well-developed glands that produce noticeable fluid, while in others the glands are much smaller or even difficult to detect. This is a normal variation, not a deficiency.
Beyond anatomy, psychological comfort matters. Tension, self-consciousness, or anxiety about the sensation (particularly the feeling of needing to urinate) can prevent the pelvic floor from relaxing enough for fluid to be released. Women who squirt consistently often describe learning to relax into the pressure sensation rather than resisting it. The level of arousal also plays a role. Extended foreplay and higher states of arousal give the Skene’s glands more time to fill and the surrounding tissue more time to engorge, making squirting more likely.
There is no medical reason to pursue or avoid squirting. It is a normal variation in sexual response, not a measure of arousal, pleasure, or sexual function.