Squirting happens when fluid is involuntarily released through the urethra during sexual arousal or orgasm. It’s a real physiological response, not something fabricated, though its exact nature has been debated by researchers for years. About 5% of women experience it regularly, though surveys asking broader questions about fluid release at orgasm report numbers as high as 40% to 54%.
Where the Fluid Comes From
The fluid released during squirting exits through the urethra, but it doesn’t come from a single source. Two structures play a role: the bladder and a pair of tiny glands called the Skene’s glands, which sit on either side of the urethral opening.
The Skene’s glands develop from the same embryonic tissue that becomes the prostate in males, which is why they’re sometimes called the “female prostate.” During sexual arousal, blood flow to the area causes these glands to swell. They produce a thick, milky fluid that contains some of the same proteins found in male semen, including prostate-specific antigen (PSA). This secretion is what researchers technically call “female ejaculation,” and it’s usually a small amount.
Squirting, by contrast, involves a larger volume of fluid, sometimes over 100 milliliters. A 2015 ultrasound study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine tracked what happens inside the body during the process. Researchers found that even after participants emptied their bladders, the bladder rapidly refilled during arousal. After squirting, it was empty again. The fluid’s chemical makeup, including urea and creatinine, matched dilute urine. However, PSA from the Skene’s glands was present in the squirting fluid of five out of seven participants, even though it wasn’t detected in their regular urine samples beforehand. So the current scientific picture is that squirting is primarily dilute urine mixed with secretions from the Skene’s glands.
What Triggers It
Squirting is most commonly linked to stimulation of the G-spot, an area of sensitive tissue on the front wall of the vagina, a few inches inside. This region sits close to both the Skene’s glands and the internal structure of the clitoris, which is why pressure there can produce an intense, distinct sensation. Clitoral stimulation, either alone or combined with internal stimulation, can also trigger it.
Squirting can happen with or without orgasm. It’s not purely an orgasmic reflex. The release appears to depend on a combination of factors: individual anatomy (the size and responsiveness of the Skene’s glands varies significantly between people), pelvic muscle control, nerve sensitivity in the area, and the type of stimulation involved. Positions or techniques that apply firm, consistent pressure toward the front vaginal wall are most commonly associated with it.
Why Some People Experience It and Others Don’t
The wide range in reported prevalence tells you something important: this varies enormously from person to person. The Skene’s glands themselves aren’t uniform. In some people they’re well-developed and highly responsive, while in others they’re quite small or even absent. This anatomical variation likely explains much of the difference. Nerve density in the vaginal wall also varies, which affects how much sensation G-spot stimulation produces.
There’s no evidence that squirting indicates a “better” orgasm or higher arousal. It’s simply one possible physical response among many. Plenty of people with satisfying sexual experiences never experience it, and some who do squirt don’t find it particularly pleasurable. The portrayal of squirting in pornography has created unrealistic expectations, particularly for younger people. The International Society for Sexual Medicine notes that confusion around the topic can lead to pressure or disappointment that isn’t warranted.
Squirting vs. Urinary Incontinence
Because squirting fluid exits through the urethra and contains components of urine, some people worry that what they’re experiencing is actually a loss of bladder control. These are distinct phenomena, though they can look similar. A systematic review in The Journal of Sexual Medicine drew a clear line between them: squirting is a normal variant of sexual response, while coital incontinence is a medical condition typically caused by pelvic floor dysfunction or bladder overactivity.
Coital incontinence tends to happen specifically during penetration (linked to stress urinary incontinence) or during orgasm (linked to involuntary bladder contractions). If fluid release during sex is accompanied by leakage at other times, like when you cough, sneeze, or exercise, that points toward a pelvic floor issue rather than squirting. On its own, squirting during arousal or orgasm without any other urinary symptoms is not a sign of a medical problem.
The Emotional Side
A large international survey published in BJU International found that the majority of women who experienced ejaculation viewed it positively, and their partners did too. But the experience can also cause embarrassment or anxiety, especially when someone doesn’t understand what’s happening or worries about the fluid being urine. Knowing the physiology helps: the fluid is produced rapidly during arousal, it’s heavily diluted compared to regular urine, and it contains glandular secretions that regular urine does not. It’s an involuntary response, not a failure of bladder control, and it’s well within the range of normal human sexual function.