Squirting happens when fluid is expelled from the urethra during sexual arousal or orgasm, typically in response to stimulation of the sensitive area along the front wall of the vagina. About 40% of adult women in the U.S. report having experienced it at least once, with a median frequency of three to five times over their lifetime. Despite how common it is, the mechanics behind it involve a surprisingly complex interplay between multiple structures, and researchers have only recently begun sorting out what’s actually going on.
Two Different Types of Fluid Release
One of the most important findings in recent research is that “squirting” and “female ejaculation” are technically two separate phenomena, even though they can happen at the same time and people use the terms interchangeably.
Female ejaculation is the release of a small amount of thick, milky fluid, typically just a few milliliters. This fluid comes from the Skene’s glands, two small ducts located on either side of the urethra. These glands develop from the same embryonic tissue that becomes the prostate in males, which is why they’re sometimes called the “female prostate.” The fluid they produce contains prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and elevated glucose levels, giving it a composition that resembles components of male seminal fluid (without sperm).
Squirting, by contrast, involves a much larger volume of clear, watery fluid, often 10 milliliters or more. This fluid is chemically similar to dilute urine and originates from the bladder. A well-known 2014 study using ultrasound imaging on women who could reliably squirt showed their bladders were full just before the event and empty directly afterward, confirming the bladder as the source. However, even in squirting fluid, researchers have detected PSA, suggesting that secretions from the Skene’s glands mix in as the fluid passes through the urethra.
The Anatomy Involved
The front wall of the vagina, often referred to as the G-spot, isn’t a single anatomical structure. It’s an area felt through the vaginal wall that contains several overlapping tissues: the internal branches of the clitoris, the Skene’s glands, the urethra, and surrounding erectile tissue. All of these swell with blood during arousal, which is why the area becomes more prominent and sensitive as stimulation continues.
The Skene’s glands sit right alongside the urethra and respond directly to this engorgement. As arousal builds, they secrete fluid that can be released during orgasm or intense stimulation. The proximity of all these structures to the bladder and urethra explains why the sensation of needing to urinate and the sensation that precedes squirting can feel almost identical, and why both types of fluid exit through the same opening.
What Triggers It Physically
Stimulation of the front vaginal wall is the most commonly reported trigger. Firm, rhythmic pressure against this area compresses the underlying Skene’s glands and surrounding erectile tissue, which swells further and builds the sensation many women describe as a “fullness” or pressure. This can happen through manual stimulation (fingers curving upward toward the belly button), certain sexual positions that angle toward the front wall, or toys designed for that purpose.
Pelvic floor muscles play a significant role in whether fluid is actually released. The pelvic floor surrounds the urethra and vaginal canal, and its state of tension or relaxation affects what happens at the moment of orgasm. Many women who squirt describe a conscious “letting go” or bearing down rather than clenching. This relaxation appears to allow the urethral opening to release fluid rather than holding it back. Women who instinctively tighten their pelvic floor (often because the sensation mimics the urge to urinate) may suppress the release entirely.
Clitoral stimulation combined with internal pressure seems to intensify the response for many women, likely because the clitoris extends internally and wraps around the same area being stimulated from inside the vaginal wall. The level of arousal matters too. The Skene’s glands and surrounding tissues need time to become fully engorged, so extended foreplay and sustained stimulation tend to make the experience more likely.
Why Some Women Squirt and Others Don’t
Anatomy varies significantly from person to person. Skene’s glands differ in size, and some women have larger, more developed glands that produce more fluid. In rare cases, these glands may be very small or functionally absent. This natural variation likely explains a large part of why some women squirt easily, some only occasionally, and some never do.
Psychological factors also matter. Because the pre-squirting sensation closely resembles the feeling of needing to urinate, many women reflexively hold back. The ability to relax through that sensation, trusting that it’s part of the arousal response rather than actual urination, is something many women who squirt describe as a learned skill rather than something that happened spontaneously. Comfort with a partner, reduced anxiety, and familiarity with one’s own body all influence whether that release happens.
Survey data shows a wide range in reported prevalence, from 10% to 54% depending on the study and how the question is asked. The large U.S. probability sample that found 40% prevalence also noted that most women who had experienced it did so relatively few times, suggesting it’s not a consistent occurrence for the majority.
What the Fluid Actually Contains
Researchers who have compared squirting fluid to pre-arousal urine from the same women found notable differences. The expelled fluid had lower levels of creatinine (a waste product concentrated in urine) but contained PSA, prostatic acid phosphatase, and glucose at levels not found in the women’s urine samples. These are the same markers present in male prostatic fluid, produced here by the Skene’s glands.
So while the bulk of the fluid in squirting originates from the bladder and shares some chemical properties with very dilute urine, it’s not simply urine. It’s a mixture: bladder fluid that has been rapidly produced during arousal, combined with prostatic secretions from the Skene’s glands. The female ejaculate component (the thicker, milky fluid) is chemically distinct and comes entirely from the glands themselves. When both phenomena happen simultaneously, the result is the larger-volume clear fluid most people associate with squirting, carrying traces of the glandular secretions within it.