Female ejaculate is typically a small amount of thick, whitish fluid that looks milky or slightly cloudy. It can also be thin and watery, or nearly clear. The appearance varies from person to person and even from one experience to the next, depending on hydration, arousal level, and where the fluid comes from.
What the Fluid Looks Like
There are actually two distinct types of fluid that can be released during sexual arousal or orgasm, and they look quite different from each other.
The first is true ejaculate, a thick, milky-white fluid produced by the Skene’s glands, two tiny ducts located on either side of the urethra. This fluid contains proteins similar to those found in male semen (minus the sperm). It’s usually released in a small quantity, sometimes just a few drops, and has a faint musky smell or almost no smell at all. The consistency is similar to watered-down milk.
The second type is often called squirting, which involves a larger volume of thinner, more watery fluid. This fluid is mostly diluted urine mixed with some secretions from the Skene’s glands. It’s typically clear or very pale yellow, much thinner in consistency, and released in a more noticeable gush. Some people experience one type, some experience both, and many experience neither.
Where the Fluid Comes From
The Skene’s glands are the primary source of the milky ejaculate. These glands develop from the same embryonic tissue that becomes the prostate in males, which is why they’re sometimes called the “female prostate.” The tissues surrounding them swell during sexual stimulation, and the glands secrete fluid during arousal that helps with lubrication. In some people, these glands also release a mucus-like substance during orgasm.
The glands have tiny openings near the urethral opening, but they’re nearly impossible to see with the naked eye. Beyond their role in sexual response, they also secrete fluid during urination that helps protect against urinary tract infections.
Separately, vaginal lubrication produced during arousal is a different fluid entirely. This is a clear, slippery substance that seeps through the vaginal walls as blood flow increases to the area. It’s not ejaculate, but it’s often confused with it because it also increases during sexual activity.
How Much Is Normal
The volume ranges enormously. True ejaculate from the Skene’s glands is usually a small amount, sometimes so little you might not notice it at all. During orgasm, rhythmic contractions of the vaginal and uterine muscles can push out a small amount of fluid, but “small” is relative. Some people produce barely a teaspoon, others noticeably more.
Squirting, when it happens, tends to involve a larger volume that’s more obvious. But both experiences fall within the range of normal, and so does producing no noticeable fluid at all. Estimates of how many women experience ejaculation vary widely in research, from roughly 5% to over 50%, largely because studies define and measure it differently. The variation itself tells you something: this is one of those areas where “normal” covers a very wide spectrum.
What’s Not Normal
A few characteristics are worth paying attention to. Fluid that is bright green or dark yellow, has a strong foul odor, or looks chunky or cottage cheese-like isn’t ejaculate. Those are signs of an infection, whether bacterial vaginosis, a yeast infection, or a sexually transmitted infection. The same goes for fluid that causes burning or itching.
Healthy ejaculate and arousal fluid should be relatively mild-smelling. A slight muskiness is normal. A fishy or unusually strong odor is not related to ejaculation and points to something else going on.
Why It Changes
Your hydration level is the biggest variable. When you’re well-hydrated, any fluid your body produces will be more diluted and lighter in color. Dehydration concentrates it, making it appear more opaque or slightly yellowish. Hormonal shifts throughout the menstrual cycle also affect the consistency and amount of all genital fluids, including ejaculate. Around ovulation, for instance, cervical mucus becomes thinner and more abundant, which can mix with other fluids during sex and change what you see.
Diet, medications, and supplements can also subtly shift the smell or color of bodily fluids. These minor variations day to day are completely expected and not a sign of any problem.