Squirting is the expulsion of fluid from the urethra during sexual arousal or orgasm. It’s a normal physiological response that somewhere between 10 and 54 percent of women experience, depending on the survey. The wide range in those numbers reflects how differently women define and recognize the experience, not uncertainty about whether it’s real.
Where the Fluid Comes From
Two small glands called the Skene’s glands sit on either side of the urethra. These glands develop from the same embryonic cells that become the prostate in males, which is why they’re sometimes called the “female prostate.” During sexual arousal, the tissue surrounding these glands swells, and they secrete fluid. In some women, this fluid is released in a noticeable way during orgasm or intense stimulation.
The fluid produced by the Skene’s glands is chemically distinct from urine. It contains prostate-specific antigen (PSA), the same marker associated with the male prostate, along with fructose, glucose, and citric acid. The glucose concentration is higher than what you’d find in urine, though still 10 to 15 times lower than in male ejaculate.
Why People Argue About Urine
This is where things get more complicated. Research distinguishes between two different events that often get lumped together under “squirting.” The first is female ejaculation: a small amount of thick, whitish fluid from the Skene’s glands. The second is squirting in the colloquial sense: a larger volume of thinner, more watery fluid. These two things can happen at the same time, and they often do.
The larger volume of fluid involved in squirting does pass through the bladder, and chemical analysis shows it contains some diluted components of urine. But it also contains PSA and other secretions from the Skene’s glands, meaning it isn’t simply urine. The International Continence Society formally distinguishes squirting from urinary incontinence during sex, noting that both the small ejaculation and the larger squirt “are two different physiological components of female sexuality.” In other words, the bladder plays a role in the volume, but the fluid is modified by glandular secretions and is triggered by arousal rather than by a loss of bladder control.
How Common It Is
Surveys put the number all over the map. In one population-based study, 54 percent of 233 women reported a spurt of fluid at orgasm. A large mail survey of over 1,100 women found that about 40 percent identified as ejaculators. Other research puts the figure as low as 5 percent. The variation likely comes down to how each study defined ejaculation, whether women recognized it when it happened, and how comfortable respondents felt reporting it. Regardless of the exact percentage, it falls well within the range of normal sexual response.
What It Does and Doesn’t Mean
Squirting is not a reliable indicator of orgasm. Some women squirt without orgasming, and many women orgasm without ever squirting. It signals a high level of arousal, but arousal and orgasm aren’t the same thing. The fluid can also vary from one experience to the next in volume, consistency, and timing.
It also doesn’t indicate anything about health. The Skene’s glands serve a protective function beyond sexual activity: they secrete substances that lubricate the urethral opening and help prevent urinary tract infections. Squirting is simply one expression of how these glands respond to stimulation. Some women experience it regularly, others rarely, and many never do. None of these patterns is abnormal.
Why the Volume Varies
One of the more confusing aspects is that the amount of fluid can range from a few drops to a much larger quantity. The Skene’s glands themselves are small and produce a limited volume of secretion. When squirting involves a larger amount of fluid, the bladder contributes the extra volume. Hydration levels, the intensity of arousal, the type of stimulation, and individual anatomy all influence how much fluid is released. The Skene’s glands vary significantly in size from person to person, which partly explains why some women squirt easily while others never do regardless of arousal level.
The fluid from the Skene’s glands alone tends to be thicker and milky. When mixed with the more dilute fluid from the bladder, the result is thinner and more watery. Both versions are normal, and most women who squirt experience some combination of the two.