Let’s be real. If you’ve spent any time on the internet or in certain corners of adult cinema, you’ve seen it. It’s often portrayed as this explosive, fountain-like event that happens the second a partner hits the "magic spot." But in the real world? It’s a lot more nuanced, a bit more confusing, and honestly, something that has baffled scientists for decades.
The phenomenon where a woman squirts during sex isn't just one thing. It’s actually two different things that often get lumped together. You have "female ejaculation," which is a small amount of thick, milky fluid, and then you have "squirting," which is a much larger volume of thin, clear liquid. People argue about it constantly. Is it pee? Is it some magical elixir? Is it just a myth?
Actually, it's none of those things—and all of them at once.
The Science of the "G-Spot" and Skene’s Glands
To understand why this happens, we have to look at anatomy, but not the simplified version you saw in a high school textbook. We’re talking about the Skene’s glands. These are often called the "female prostate" because, evolutionarily speaking, they are homologous to the male prostate gland. They sit right near the urethra.
When a person with a vagina is aroused, these glands can produce a fluid that contains prostate-specific antigen (PSA). This is the same stuff found in male ejaculate. Dr. Florian Wimpissinger, a urologist who has studied this extensively, found that the biochemical makeup of this thick, milky fluid is distinct from urine. It’s concentrated. It’s small in volume. It usually just sort of "seeps" out during or just before orgasm.
But then there’s the other kind. The "big" kind.
A 2014 study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine by Samuel Salama and his team used ultrasound to see what was actually happening inside the body. They had seven women who reported being able to squirt come into the lab. First, the researchers made sure their bladders were empty. Then, they used ultrasound while the women were stimulated. What they found was fascinating. The bladders filled up again incredibly fast during arousal. After the "squirting" event, the bladders were empty again.
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So, yes. A large portion of that fluid is chemically very similar to diluted urine. But wait. Before you get weirded out, it’s not just urine. It’s a mixture. It contains urea, creatinine, and uric acid, but at much lower concentrations than what you’d find in your first-morning bathroom trip.
It’s Not Just About "Pushing"
Many people think squirting is something you can just "do" if you try hard enough. That’s not really how bodies work. It’s a physiological response to specific types of stimulation, usually involving the anterior wall of the vagina—the area popularly known as the G-spot.
You’ve probably heard people say it’s all in the head. It isn't. But the brain plays a massive role. For a woman to squirt during sex, there usually needs to be a high level of relaxation combined with intense, localized arousal. If someone is tense or worried about "making a mess," the pelvic floor muscles suelen tighten up. This prevents the release.
I’ve talked to many people who felt ashamed because they thought they were just "peeing the bed." That shame is a huge barrier. In reality, the body is just reacting to a massive surge in the parasympathetic nervous system. It’s a release.
The Role of the Pelvic Floor
Think about your pelvic floor like a hammock. It holds everything up. When you’re close to an orgasm, those muscles pulse. For some, those pulses trigger a release from the bladder and the Skene's glands simultaneously.
Interestingly, not every woman can do this, and not every woman wants to. According to a study in The Journal of Sex Research, estimates of how many women experience some form of ejaculation vary wildly—anywhere from 10% to 54%. The disparity exists because researchers can’t agree on what counts as "ejaculation" versus "squirting."
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- Milky fluid: This is the Skene’s gland secretion (Prostate-specific).
- Clear, voluminous fluid: This is mostly coming from the bladder (Urine-based but diluted).
- The "Gush": A combination of both that happens at peak arousal.
The mechanics often involve "come-hither" motions with fingers or specific angles during penetration that put pressure on that anterior wall. But even with "perfect" technique, it might never happen for some people. And that is perfectly normal. Biology isn't a performance.
Debunking the Porn Myth
We have to address the elephant in the room. Most of what you see in professional adult media regarding this topic is, well, exaggerated. In those videos, the volume of fluid is often chemically induced or the result of extreme over-hydration (and sometimes just plain old water being pumped in). This creates a standard that is almost impossible to meet in a regular bedroom setting.
In reality, when a woman squirts during sex, it’s rarely a fire hose. It’s a release that feels like a sudden "letting go."
For many, the sensation is described as a "fullness" followed by an intense wave of pleasure that feels deeper than a clitoral orgasm. Some people find it exhausting. Others find it incredibly validating. The problem starts when people treat it like a "level" to be unlocked in a video game. If you’re focused on the result, you miss the sensation.
How to Navigate the Experience Safely and Comfortably
If this is something you or your partner are curious about, the first step isn't technique. It's towels. Lots of them.
Removing the "mess" factor from the equation lowers the psychological barrier. If you aren't worried about the mattress, you can focus on what feels good.
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- Hydration is key: Since a large part of the fluid comes from the bladder, being dehydrated makes it much less likely to happen. Plus, diluted fluid is much more pleasant and less "stinging" or "scented" than concentrated urine.
- Focus on the Anterior Wall: Use firm but gentle pressure on the upper wall of the vagina (towards the belly button).
- The "Push" Sensation: Many women report that right before it happens, they feel like they need to urinate. This is the "point of no return." Instead of tightening up to stop it, the trick is to push into the sensation.
- Communication: This can be a very vulnerable moment. If a partner reacts with gross-out faces or immediate judgment, it can cause a lot of emotional "scarring" regarding sexual expression.
Is It Healthy?
Generally, yes. There is no medical evidence suggesting that female ejaculation or squirting is harmful. However, if someone experiences involuntary leakage without sexual arousal—like when sneezing or laughing—that’s usually stress urinary incontinence. That’s a different thing entirely and usually involves a weakened pelvic floor.
The fluid expelled during sex is specifically tied to the arousal cycle. If it only happens when things are getting intense, it's just part of your body's unique sexual response.
The most important thing to remember is that sexual satisfaction isn't measured in milliliters. Some of the most intense orgasms involve no fluid at all. Conversely, some people can squirt without even reaching a full orgasm. The body is weird. It’s inconsistent. It’s a biological "choose your own adventure" book where the pages are sometimes stuck together.
Actionable Next Steps for Exploration
If you want to explore this aspect of your sexuality, start by taking the pressure off.
- Map the area: Use a solo session to find where your Skene’s glands are most reactive. It’s usually about two inches inside on the front wall.
- Incorporate toys: Certain curved vibrators are designed specifically to target the anterior wall with consistent pressure that fingers sometimes can't maintain.
- Check your meds: Some medications, especially certain antihistamines or antidepressants, can dry out mucous membranes and make ejaculation much less likely.
- Strengthen (or Relax) the Pelvic Floor: Seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist isn't just for postpartum recovery. They can help you learn how to both contract and fully release those muscles, which is vital for this specific response.
Ultimately, whether or not a woman squirts during sex depends on a cocktail of genetics, hydration, comfort levels, and the specific anatomy of the Skene's glands. If it happens, cool. If it doesn't, you aren't "missing" a part of your womanhood. You're just experiencing sex in a different, equally valid way.
Focus on the pleasure, not the plumbing. The most "pro" move you can make is creating an environment where any bodily reaction is met with curiosity rather than confusion or shame. Get some waterproof blankets, talk to your partner about what feels good, and let your body do what it’s going to do without a stopwatch or a measuring cup nearby.