Squirting is the release of fluid from the urethra during sexual arousal or orgasm. It’s a normal physiological response that somewhere between 10 and 54% of women report experiencing, and it can happen with or without orgasm. If it happened to you unexpectedly, there’s nothing wrong. Here’s what’s actually going on in your body.
What the Fluid Actually Is
The fluid released during squirting is mostly dilute urine, with a possible addition from small glands near the urethra. That might not be the answer you were hoping for, but the science is fairly clear. Ultrasound studies have shown that the bladder is empty before sexual stimulation begins, fills rapidly during arousal, and then empties again when squirting occurs. The fluid travels the same path urine does, exiting through the urethra.
A study at Okayama University gave participants a blue dye that only shows up in urine. In every case, the squirted fluid came out blue, confirming it contained urine. But in four out of five participants, the fluid also contained PSA (prostate-specific antigen), a protein produced by small glands near the urethra called Skene’s glands, not found in regular urine. So the fluid is a mix: primarily from the bladder, but often with a small secretion from these glands as well.
Squirting vs. Female Ejaculation
These two terms get used interchangeably, but researchers treat them as different events. Female ejaculation is a small release, roughly 1 milliliter, of thick, milky fluid from the Skene’s glands. It contains proteins similar to those found in male semen, including PSA, fructose, and glucose. You might not even notice it happening because the volume is so small.
Squirting is the larger gush, ranging from tens to hundreds of milliliters of clear fluid. This is the one more commonly depicted in porn and the one people tend to notice. Its chemical makeup, containing urea, creatinine, and uric acid, confirms it originates in the kidneys and collects in the bladder. Both events can happen at the same time, which is why squirting fluid often contains traces of Skene’s gland secretions alongside the bladder fluid.
Where the Fluid Comes From
The Skene’s glands sit on either side of the 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 the glands secrete a mucus-like substance that helps with lubrication. In some people, this secretion is more pronounced and contributes to ejaculation.
Not everyone has Skene’s glands of the same size, and some people may not have them at all. Estimates suggest that 30 to 40% of people with vulvas may lack significant Skene’s gland tissue. This anatomical variation likely explains part of why some people squirt easily and others never do.
What Triggers It
Squirting most commonly happens during G-spot stimulation, clitoral stimulation, or both. The G-spot, located on the front wall of the vagina, sits right against the Skene’s glands and the urethral sponge, which is why pressure in that area tends to be involved. But there’s no single formula. Some people squirt during penetration, some from external stimulation alone, and some only in very specific positions or states of arousal.
Pelvic floor strength appears to play a role. Researchers think stronger pelvic floor muscles may make squirting more likely, possibly because those muscles help create the pressure that expels fluid. Nerve sensitivity and individual anatomy also factor in. The bladder filling rapidly during high arousal seems to be part of the mechanism, though exactly why the body does this isn’t fully understood.
Why It Feels Like You Need to Pee
One of the most common things people describe before squirting is a sensation very similar to needing to urinate. This makes anatomical sense: the fluid is collecting in your bladder and exiting through your urethra, the same pathway as urination. Many people instinctively clench or pull back when they feel this sensation, which can prevent squirting from happening. Others who relax into it find the fluid releases, often alongside an intense orgasm, though squirting can also happen without orgasm.
If you’ve squirted and felt embarrassed because you thought you simply lost bladder control, understand that this is a specific arousal response. The bladder fills in direct response to sexual stimulation, not because you had a full bladder beforehand. Emptying your bladder before sex won’t necessarily prevent squirting, but it can help reduce anxiety about it if the sensation catches you off guard.
How Common It Is
Survey data varies widely. A 2013 review of multiple studies found that between 10 and 54% of women report experiencing some form of ejaculation or squirting. The huge range reflects differences in how the question is asked, whether researchers distinguish between squirting and ejaculation, and how people interpret their own experiences. In one controlled study of 27 women, 37% were able to squirt during the experiment. The reality is that many people experience it occasionally rather than consistently, and frequency can change over time, with different partners, or with different types of stimulation.
Whether squirting is something you experience regularly, happened once, or never happens at all, each of those is completely normal. It’s not a measure of arousal, sexual function, or the quality of sex. Some people enjoy the sensation, some find it distracting, and some are neutral about it. None of those reactions require any kind of medical attention.