Squirting happens when fluid is expelled from the urethra during sexual arousal or orgasm, typically in response to internal vaginal stimulation. About 58% of women report having experienced it at least once, based on a large Swedish survey. It involves a specific set of anatomical structures, particular types of stimulation, and a degree of individual variation that explains why some people experience it easily while others never do.
The Anatomy Behind It
Two small structures called the Skene’s glands sit on either side of the urethra, each roughly the size of a small blueberry. These glands develop from the same embryonic tissue that becomes the prostate in males, which is why they’re sometimes called the “female prostate.” During sexual arousal, increased blood flow causes the tissue surrounding these glands to swell. They secrete a milky fluid that contains some of the same proteins found in male prostatic fluid, including prostate-specific antigen (PSA).
The Skene’s glands are part of a larger network of tissue now referred to as the clitorourethrovaginal complex. This region includes the internal portions of the clitoris (which extend several inches inside the body), the urethra, and the front vaginal wall. When this whole area is stimulated together, the combined response is what typically triggers both deep vaginal orgasms and fluid release.
Ejaculation and Squirting Are Different
Scientists now distinguish between two separate events that often get lumped together. True female ejaculation is a small amount of thick, whitish fluid released from the Skene’s glands. Squirting, or “gushing,” involves a larger volume of dilute fluid that originates from the bladder. The two can happen at the same time, which is part of why they’ve been confused for so long.
The squirting fluid contains urea and creatinine, compounds normally found in urine, but it also contains PSA from the Skene’s glands. So it’s not simply urine, but it’s not entirely separate from the urinary system either. The bladder appears to rapidly fill with dilute fluid during intense arousal and then expel it. Research published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine confirmed that the organs and mechanisms producing each type of fluid are genuinely different.
What Type of Stimulation Triggers It
The area most associated with squirting is the front wall of the vagina, about 1 centimeter inside the vaginal opening. This is the tissue commonly called the G-spot, though researchers now think of it less as a single “button” and more as an area where the internal clitoris, urethra, and vaginal wall all overlap. Pressure on this zone simultaneously stimulates all three structures.
The most effective approaches tend to involve firm, rhythmic pressure against the front vaginal wall using a “come hither” motion with the fingers. Curved sex toys designed for G-spot stimulation can also reach this area effectively. Varying the type of touch helps: alternating between firm pressure, lighter stroking, and vibration allows you to find what your body responds to. Some people find that combining internal stimulation with external clitoral stimulation intensifies the response enough to trigger fluid release.
Arousal level matters significantly. The Skene’s glands and surrounding tissue need time to engorge with blood before they’re primed to release fluid. Rushing to direct G-spot stimulation before you’re fully aroused is one of the most common reasons it doesn’t work. Extended foreplay, relaxation, and building arousal gradually create the physiological conditions that make squirting possible.
Why It Happens for Some People and Not Others
Skene’s gland size varies considerably from person to person. Some people have larger, more active glands that produce more fluid, while others have very small ones. This anatomical variation is the primary reason squirting comes easily to some and not at all to others. It’s not a skill issue or an arousal issue in every case; the underlying hardware simply differs.
Hormonal factors also play a role. The clitorourethrovaginal complex is hormone-sensitive, meaning its responsiveness can shift with menstrual cycle phase, hormonal contraceptive use, menopause, and other factors. The 58% prevalence figure from survey data suggests it’s a common experience, but the remaining 42% who haven’t experienced it aren’t doing anything wrong.
What It Feels Like
Many people describe a sensation of building pressure, similar to needing to urinate, just before squirting occurs. This makes sense anatomically since the fluid passes through or near the urethra. That pressure sensation causes some people to tense up or pull back, which can actually prevent it from happening. Relaxing into the sensation rather than resisting it is a consistent piece of advice from people who experience squirting regularly.
The orgasms associated with squirting are often described differently from clitoral orgasms. Women who distinguish between the two tend to describe clitoral orgasms as localized, sharp, and intense, while vaginal orgasms involving the deeper tissue are reported as longer lasting, more of a “whole body” sensation with a throbbing quality. Squirting can occur with or without orgasm, though the two frequently overlap. Some people experience fluid release during the buildup phase rather than at the peak.
Practical Tips That Help
- Build arousal first. Spend plenty of time on external stimulation and foreplay before targeting the front vaginal wall. The tissue needs to be fully engorged.
- Use firm, consistent pressure. Light touch on the G-spot area rarely triggers the response. Steady, rhythmic pressure with fingers or a curved toy is more effective.
- Relax through the pressure sensation. The “need to pee” feeling is normal and expected. Bearing down slightly rather than clenching can help release the fluid.
- Experiment with angles and positions. Positions that angle stimulation toward the front vaginal wall (toward the belly button) tend to work better than those targeting the back wall.
- Remove performance pressure. Anxiety and tension work against the physical relaxation needed. Treating it as exploration rather than a goal makes it more likely to happen.
Putting a towel down beforehand is a simple, practical step that removes worry about mess, which in turn makes it easier to relax into the experience. The volume of fluid varies widely, from a small amount to a significant gush, and both are normal.