Squirting happens when fluid is expelled from the urethra during sexual arousal or orgasm, typically in response to internal vaginal stimulation. About 40% of adult women in the U.S. report having experienced it at least once in their lifetime, and the phenomenon involves a surprisingly complex interplay of anatomy, arousal, and two distinct fluid sources that researchers have only recently begun to untangle.
Squirting and Ejaculation Are Two Different Things
One of the biggest sources of confusion is that “squirting” and “female ejaculation” are often used interchangeably, but they are physiologically distinct events. A 2022 narrative review of the research literature clarified the difference: squirting involves the expulsion of 10 milliliters or more of thin, transparent fluid from the bladder through the urethra. Female ejaculation, by contrast, produces just a few milliliters of thicker, milky fluid from small glands near the urethral opening. Both can happen at the same time, which is part of why they’ve been lumped together for so long.
The fluid released during squirting is chemically similar to very dilute urine. It accumulates in the bladder during arousal and is released during orgasm or intense stimulation. The fluid from female ejaculation has a completely different profile: it contains elevated levels of proteins also found in male semen (minus the sperm), along with higher glucose and lower creatinine than urine. So when people talk about squirting, they’re usually describing the larger-volume release, but in many cases both fluids are present in the mix.
Where the Fluid Comes From
The small glands responsible for female ejaculate are called the Skene’s glands, located on either side of the urethral opening. These glands are sometimes referred to as the “female prostate” because they share structural and chemical similarities with the male prostate gland. During sexual arousal, the tissue surrounding these glands swells with increased blood flow, and they secrete a mucus-like substance that contains prostate-specific antigen, one of the same proteins produced by the male prostate.
Beyond their role in sexual response, the Skene’s glands serve everyday functions. They help lubricate the urethral opening during urination and produce antimicrobial substances that may protect against urinary tract infections. Their size varies significantly from person to person, which likely explains why some women ejaculate easily and others never do. Women with larger or more developed Skene’s glands may simply produce more noticeable fluid.
The larger volume of fluid associated with squirting, however, comes from the bladder itself. Imaging studies have shown that even after a woman empties her bladder, it can rapidly refill during arousal and then empty again at the moment of orgasm or peak stimulation. This is why the volume can be surprisingly large compared to the small amount produced by the Skene’s glands alone.
What Triggers the Response
The type of stimulation most commonly linked to squirting is pressure on the front wall of the vagina, in the upper third. This area, often called the G-spot, sits directly over the back portion of the Skene’s glands and a dense cluster of nerve endings. Stimulation of this region is thought to activate both the glandular secretion from the Skene’s glands and the bladder release associated with squirting.
That said, squirting doesn’t always accompany orgasm, and orgasm doesn’t always produce squirting. In a U.S. probability sample of women ages 18 to 93, only about 20% of those who had squirted reported that it “always” happened alongside orgasm. For many women, squirting occurs during intense arousal without a full orgasm, or during orgasm triggered by clitoral rather than vaginal stimulation. The connection between the two is real but inconsistent.
Arousal itself plays a central role. The entire genital region becomes engorged with blood during sexual excitement, which causes the Skene’s glands to swell, increases sensitivity along the vaginal wall, and appears to accelerate the bladder-filling process that precedes squirting. Relaxation also matters. Many women who squirt describe the moment as one of “letting go” rather than actively trying to make something happen, which aligns with the involuntary muscle contractions and release of pelvic tension that characterize orgasm.
How Common It Is
Squirting is more common than most people assume. A nationally representative U.S. survey found that 40% of women had squirted at least once, with the median frequency being three to five times total. An international survey of women who ejaculate found that the average age of first ejaculation was about 25, and most women who experienced it did so a few times per week. The volume reported was typically around 2 ounces, and the fluid was described as clear and watery by 83% of respondents.
These numbers suggest squirting is a normal variation in sexual response, not a rare anomaly. But there’s wide individual variation. Some women experience it frequently and predictably, others only under specific circumstances, and many never do at all. None of these patterns indicate a problem.
How It Feels
About 60% of women in the U.S. survey described squirting as very or somewhat pleasurable. The physical sensation is closely tied to the broader experience of orgasm: intense pelvic muscle contractions, a buildup and release of tension, and a feeling of satisfaction afterward. Some women describe a distinct “bearing down” sensation just before fluid is released, similar to a pressure that builds and then lets go.
In the international survey, nearly 79% of women said squirting enriched their sexual lives, and 90% of their partners felt the same way. A small percentage of women (about 4%) reported that their partners weren’t even aware it was happening, likely because the volume was small or the fluid was mixed with other vaginal lubrication.
For some women, the sensation is closely tied to emotional factors like trust and relaxation with a partner. Others find it happens more easily during solo stimulation. There’s no single “right” context, and the experience varies as much as any other aspect of sexual response.
Why Some Women Squirt and Others Don’t
The most likely explanation is anatomical variation. The Skene’s glands differ in size and development from one person to the next, and some women may have glandular tissue too small to produce noticeable fluid. Differences in pelvic floor muscle strength, nerve density along the vaginal wall, and individual patterns of arousal all contribute.
Psychological factors also play a role. Women who feel self-conscious about the sensation, or who worry about the fluid being urine, may unconsciously tense their pelvic muscles and suppress the response. Since the release involves the urethra, the physical sensation can initially feel similar to the urge to urinate, which can be confusing or anxiety-producing if you’re not expecting it.
Neither squirting nor not squirting says anything about sexual health, arousal levels, or the quality of an orgasm. It’s one of many possible responses during sex, shaped by anatomy, arousal, stimulation, and comfort level in roughly equal measure.