Squirting is the involuntary release of fluid from the urethra during sexual arousal or orgasm. It happens when the bladder rapidly fills with dilute fluid during sexual stimulation and then expels it, often alongside small amounts of secretion from glands near the urethra. About 40% of adult women in the U.S. report having experienced it at least once in their lifetime, with a median frequency of three to five times.
Where the Fluid Comes From
The fluid released during squirting comes primarily from the bladder. Ultrasound studies have confirmed this by scanning women’s bladders at three points: before arousal, just before squirting, and just after. In every case, the bladder was empty at the start, noticeably full just before squirting occurred, and empty again immediately afterward. One study went further by inserting a catheter, draining the bladder completely, and then filling it with blue dye before sexual stimulation began. When the women squirted, the fluid came out blue, confirming the bladder as the source.
The fluid itself is chemically similar to very dilute urine. It contains urea, creatinine, and uric acid at concentrations comparable to urine samples taken before and after the event. But it’s not simply urine the body was already storing. The bladder fills rapidly during arousal, faster than normal kidney function would explain, and the resulting fluid is typically clear and watery rather than yellow.
Squirting vs. Female Ejaculation
Squirting and female ejaculation are often used interchangeably, but researchers now treat them as related yet distinct events that can happen separately or at the same time.
- Squirting involves 10 milliliters or more of transparent, watery fluid expelled from the urethra. It originates from the bladder.
- Female ejaculation is a much smaller release, just a few milliliters of thick, milky fluid. It comes from the Skene’s glands, two small structures on either side of the urethra, sometimes called the female prostate because they develop from the same embryonic tissue as the male prostate gland.
In practice, the two often overlap. When researchers tested squirting fluid, four out of five women in one study had detectable levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein produced by the Skene’s glands, mixed into the liquid. So squirting fluid is mostly from the bladder, but it frequently picks up secretions from these glands on the way out.
The Role of the Skene’s Glands
The Skene’s glands sit on either side of the urethral opening, roughly the size of a small blueberry, though their size varies considerably from person to person. During sexual arousal, blood flow to the area increases and the surrounding tissue swells. These glands secrete a mucus-like substance that contributes to lubrication and contains proteins similar to those found in male semen.
This size variation may partly explain why some women experience squirting or ejaculation and others don’t. Women with larger, more developed Skene’s glands may produce more noticeable fluid. The glands are also hormone-sensitive, which means their activity can change across the menstrual cycle and over a lifetime.
What Triggers It
Squirting is most commonly associated with stimulation of the front wall of the vagina, the area historically called the G-spot. Researchers now describe this region as a functional zone where the clitoris, urethra, and vaginal wall all interact closely. Pressure on this area stimulates the tissue surrounding the urethra and Skene’s glands simultaneously, which is likely why it’s linked to both the sensation of needing to urinate and the release of fluid.
Not everyone who squirts does so from the same type of stimulation. In one study of five women, three squirted only from manual stimulation and two from penetrative stimulation. Squirting also doesn’t require orgasm. Some women experience it during arousal before orgasm, while others only experience it at climax.
Why It Doesn’t Happen for Everyone
The 40% prevalence figure suggests squirting is common but far from universal. Several factors likely influence whether someone experiences it. Anatomical variation in the size and development of the Skene’s glands plays a role. So does the type of stimulation, the degree of arousal, and pelvic floor muscle activity. Some women who are capable of squirting may unconsciously suppress it because the sensation closely resembles the urge to urinate, leading them to tense up rather than relax into it.
There’s no evidence that squirting is a sign of better arousal, stronger orgasms, or superior sexual function. It’s simply one variation in how bodies respond to stimulation. Women who experience it report a wide range of reactions, from finding it pleasurable to feeling neutral about it.