Squirting happens when sexual stimulation causes fluid to release from your urethra during arousal or orgasm. It’s far more common than most people think. Surveys consistently find that around 40 to 58 percent of women have experienced it, making it a normal part of sexual response rather than anything unusual or concerning.
Where the Fluid Actually Comes From
Two small glands called the Skene’s glands sit on either side of your urethral opening. They develop from the same embryonic tissue as the male prostate, which is why they’re sometimes called the “female prostate.” During sexual arousal, the tissue surrounding these glands swells, and they secrete a milky fluid that contains proteins similar to those found in male semen, including prostate-specific antigen (PSA).
Here’s where it gets more nuanced: what people call “squirting” and what researchers call “female ejaculation” are technically two different things that can happen at the same time.
- Female ejaculation is a small amount of thick, whitish fluid produced by the Skene’s glands. The volume is typically quite small.
- Squirting involves a larger gush of clear, watery fluid. This comes from the bladder and exits through the urethra. Chemically, it’s diluted urine that has been altered during arousal, sometimes mixed with secretions from the Skene’s glands.
Most people experience some combination of both. The fluid released during squirting isn’t the same as regular urine. Your body changes its composition during arousal, so while it originates in the bladder and passes through the urethra, it’s been diluted and modified. This is why it typically doesn’t look or smell like pee.
Why Certain Stimulation Triggers It
Squirting is most commonly linked to G-spot stimulation. The G-spot isn’t actually a separate structure in the vagina. It’s part of the internal clitoral network, a region on the front vaginal wall where the clitoris, urethra, and Skene’s glands are all in close proximity. When you apply pressure to this area, you’re stimulating all three at once.
That’s why the sensation often feels different from external clitoral stimulation alone. The pressure on the front vaginal wall can cause the Skene’s glands to release fluid while also putting indirect pressure on the bladder. Clitoral stimulation, vaginal penetration, or a combination can all trigger squirting, but firm, rhythmic pressure on the front wall of the vagina is the most commonly reported trigger. Some people squirt during orgasm specifically, while others notice it happens during high arousal before orgasm occurs.
The intensity and amount of fluid varies widely from person to person and even from one sexual encounter to the next. Factors like hydration level, how aroused you are, the type of stimulation, and your individual anatomy all play a role. Some people produce a small amount of fluid they barely notice, while others experience a much more obvious gush.
It’s Not Incontinence
One of the most common worries people have about squirting is whether they’re accidentally urinating. The International Continence Society recognizes this as a valid concern and has established that squirting and coital urinary incontinence are two distinct things. Urinary incontinence during sex is typically an involuntary leak that can happen with penetration or physical exertion, often associated with pelvic floor weakness. Squirting, by contrast, is a physiological response to sexual arousal.
The key difference is context. Squirting is tied to high levels of arousal and specific stimulation patterns. If you only release fluid when you’re sexually aroused and being stimulated, that’s squirting. If you notice leaking during non-sexual physical activity, during penetration before you’re fully aroused, or if it feels involuntary in a way that concerns you, that could point to a pelvic floor issue worth exploring with a healthcare provider.
Why Some People Squirt and Others Don’t
The size and development of the Skene’s glands vary significantly between individuals. Some people have prominent glands with larger ducts, while others have much smaller ones. This anatomical variation is the primary reason some people squirt easily, some only do with very specific stimulation, and others never do at all. None of these experiences is abnormal.
A Swedish cross-sectional study found that non-heterosexual women reported squirting more frequently than heterosexual women, which likely reflects differences in the types of stimulation commonly involved rather than any biological difference. Partners who focus more on clitoral and G-spot stimulation tend to trigger squirting more often.
There’s also a psychological component. Feeling relaxed and not worrying about the sensation can make it more likely to happen. Many people describe a “bearing down” or “letting go” feeling right before squirting, and tension or anxiety about the fluid can cause you to clench and suppress it. If squirting is something you enjoy, being mentally relaxed and physically comfortable helps. If it’s something you’d rather not experience, adjusting the angle or pressure of stimulation away from the front vaginal wall can reduce the likelihood.
What the Fluid Does Biologically
The Skene’s glands serve several protective functions beyond sexual response. They secrete fluid that lubricates the urethral opening during urination and produces antimicrobial substances that help prevent urinary tract infections. During sex, this lubrication supports both comfort and protection against bacteria.
There’s also emerging evidence of a reproductive function. The PSA released in female ejaculate may enhance sperm motility by helping break down the thick coating around semen, potentially making it easier for sperm to reach an egg. Researchers have hypothesized that the substances released during ejaculation could play a role in improving the chances of conception, though this is still being studied.
Whether or not squirting serves a reproductive purpose, the fluid itself is harmless. It’s a normal physiological response, it doesn’t indicate anything wrong with your body, and it’s far more common than the cultural silence around it would suggest.