What Actually Happens When You Squirt? A Science-Based Explanation

What does it feel like to squirt? Many people want to know the answer, and research shows that female ejaculation during orgasm affects between 10% and 54% of women. The phenomenon of squirting happens more often than you might expect. Nearly 40% of adult women in the United States say they have experienced it at least once.

Squirting involves an involuntary release of clear, watery fluid during sexual activity. Scientists have found that this release can produce 10 ml of liquid or more, which might happen before, during, or after an orgasm. Some people question whether this experience is normal. A recent online survey of over 320 women revealed encouraging results - 80% of participants said squirting made their sex lives better. The Skene's glands, which scientists often call the female prostate, play a vital role in this process. Researchers and people alike remain fascinated by the exact mechanisms behind this natural phenomenon.

What is squirting and how is it different from female ejaculation?

Scientists have made a breakthrough that helps us tell apart two phenomena people often mix up: squirting and female ejaculation. These terms get thrown around as if they mean the same thing, but research shows they're two different physical experiences with distinct fluid types and sources.

Understanding the terminology

Medical literature used "female ejaculation" to describe any fluid released during sex activities for many years. But science now shows two separate processes at work. Female ejaculation means releasing a small amount (about 1 ml) of thick, milky-white fluid from the paraurethral glands. Squirting, on the other hand, involves expelling much more clear, watery fluid—anywhere from tens to hundreds of milliliters—through the urethra during arousal or orgasm.

This mix-up in terms has created problems in understanding female sexual physiology. Research has also identified "coital incontinence," which happens when urine releases unintentionally during sex. So many studies before 2011 lumped these different physical responses together incorrectly.

Getting the terminology right matters because it shapes how people understand their bodies. If you experience squirting but don't know it's normal, you might worry about incontinence instead.

Key differences in fluid type and origin

Female ejaculation and squirting differ mainly in their fluid source, volume, and makeup:

Female ejaculation:

• Comes from the Skene's glands (also called the paraurethral glands or "female prostate")
• Makes just a few milliliters of fluid
• Has high levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), fructose, and glucose
• Looks thick and whitish, like male semen without sperm
• Can happen with or without orgasm

Squirting:

• Fluid mostly comes from the bladder
• The bladder fills noticeably before release, as ultrasound studies confirm
• Releases about 10 milliliters or more of clear fluid
• Contains urea, creatinine, and uric acid, similar to diluted urine
• May have some PSA, which suggests female ejaculation can happen at the same time

Ultrasound studies clearly show the bladder's role in squirting. One eye-opening experiment had researchers inject blue dye into participants' bladders. The fluid came out blue when these people squirted during sexual stimulation, proving it came from the bladder.

The makeup of squirting fluid isn't exactly like urine. Scientists found PSA in squirting fluid—something not usually in urine but present in female ejaculate. This suggests many people experience both squirting and female ejaculation together, with the smaller amount of ejaculate mixing with more bladder fluid.

The Skene's glands that make female ejaculate develop from the same embryonic tissue as the male prostate. All but one of every two to three people with vaginas have Skene's glands. This explains why not everyone experiences female ejaculation.

These two processes work in completely different ways. Female ejaculation releases a tiny bit of fluid from the paraurethral glands. Squirting involves a large release from the bladder. This usually happens when the G-spot and surrounding tissues get intense stimulation.

What does it feel like to squirt?

People experience squirting in different physical and emotional ways. No universal pattern exists. Learning about these varied sensations helps us understand this natural bodily response better and shows how differently people experience this aspect of sexuality.

Common sensations reported

The actual physical feeling of squirting covers a wide range of sensations that can vary between people. Most people describe a distinctive buildup before the fluid release. A study participant explained, "What you basically feel at that moment is that your bladder starts to swell, and you feel pressure that makes you want to expel it". Many people share this urge-to-urinate sensation. Another person noted, "Right before it happens, I literally feel like I'm going to wet the bed".

The moment of release brings different sensations:

• Some describe it as "an extreme release" following orgasm
• Others report "a tingling sensation in my legs" just before squirting
• Many experience "a really wet orgasm" during the fluid release
• Some people don't feel the fluid release at all and only notice wet sheets afterward

Transgender men's experience with squirting can be unique. A 23-year-old shared: "Squirting feels to me what I imagine jizzing would feel like if I had a penis". This shows how the experience can be gender-affirming.

Most people feel deeply relaxed after squirting. One person shared, "Once I've done it, I feel very calm and relaxed". Another mentioned experiencing "absolute relaxation. It's like a deep sense of release".

Emotional responses and confidence

Squirting often provokes strong emotional reactions. Research shows that 77% of people report positive primary sensations related to ejaculation/squirting. A large-scale survey found that 80% of women felt it made their sex lives better.

Squirting helps strengthen sexual confidence. Studies found that 82% felt pride or pleasure from the experience. A participant noted, "I think I have a good self-esteem because I communicate what I feel, which I believe I have the right to do".

Some people have mixed or negative feelings. About 33% reported mixed sensations—they liked the experience but disliked the wetness. On top of that, 8% felt ashamed or inconvenienced. One participant shared their frustration about "constantly thinking about the other person instead of me, wondering if they are having fun".

A partner's reaction plays a vital role in these emotional responses. Women with partners who reacted negatively were more likely to avoid squirting compared to those with supportive partners (92% versus 57.1%). Positive feedback can make the experience better, with 90% of partners viewing squirting positively.

Does it always happen with orgasm?

Squirting and orgasm don't always happen together, despite what many believe. New research contradicts earlier clinical literature that suggested almost all women experience orgasm before or during fluid emission.

Only 20% of people "always" experience squirting and orgasm at the same time. Another study showed 61% reported orgasm happening close to or with squirting, while 19% said it rarely or never connected. An expert states clearly, "Squirting can happen before orgasm or even in the absence of an orgasm. In reality, squirting is not tied to the type or quality of orgasm".

People's pleasure from squirting varies too. About 60% of study participants found squirting very or somewhat pleasurable. Women reported more positive experiences if squirting happened close to or with an orgasm (83.3% versus 66.8%).

Many factors affect whether someone squirts during sexual experiences. Psychology plays a big role. One participant explained, "I believe that squirting is 95% psychological because I can't do it with someone I don't trust". Relaxation matters too—an expert noted, "If you're not relaxed, holding yourself back, not in the right mindset, or not giving yourself over to the full sensation, it's unlikely you'll be relaxed enough to squirt".

How does squirting happen?

Scientists have spent decades studying the physiological mechanisms behind squirting. Several groundbreaking studies now help us understand this sexual phenomenon better. Research has documented the exact sequence of events during squirting, which brings clarity to what was once a mysterious process.

Role of the G-spot and Skene's glands

The G-spot's connection to Skene's glands plays a vital role in squirting. Skene's glands (also known as the female prostate) sit on the anterior vaginal wall near the urethra. These glands fill with fluid as arousal builds. You'll find them close to the G-spot, which feels like a walnut-textured patch inside the vagina behind the pubic bone.

The whole area works as one connected system. Experts note that "stimulating one thing likely stimulates them all". Deep, sustained pressure on the G-spot (some call it "thudding") creates a unique sensation below the vaginal wall's surface. This feeling differs from clitoral stimulation.

Research shows that manual stimulation works best to trigger squirting. "Manual stimulation makes someone more likely to squirt than penis-in-vagina or dildo-in-vagina intercourse". This explains why many squirting techniques focus on specific finger movements and pressure patterns instead of penetration alone.

Bladder involvement and fluid release

Scientists have confirmed the bladder's central role in squirting through ultrasound imaging. They observed a clear pattern: an empty bladder before stimulation, noticeable filling during arousal, and emptiness after squirting.

A notable study used catheterization to separate urine from other fluids. Results showed that "seven women who claimed to have ejaculations released large volumes of urine through the catheter at orgasm, with little to no other fluid". Research using colored dye supported these findings.

Scientists conducted an eye-opening experiment where they emptied participants' bladders and injected blue dye into them. The expelled fluid appeared blue in all cases after sexual stimulation triggered squirting, which proved its bladder origin. This visual proof helped everyone understand the process better.

The fluid volume ranges from 15-110 ml, though some studies report up to 900 ml. Unlike normal urination, sexual stimulation triggers this involuntary fluid release.

Is it pee or not?

The answer to whether squirting fluid is "just pee" needs some explanation. Chemical analysis shows that squirting fluid:

• Has components like urine (urea, creatinine, and uric acid)
• Appears more diluted than regular urine
• Contains prostate-specific antigen (PSA), not usually found in urine
• May include prostatic secretions from Skene's glands

A detailed 2014 study collected samples before sexual stimulation, during squirting, and after. Scientists found similar urea, creatinine, and uric acid levels across all samples. PSA showed up in squirting fluid from five out of seven participants but wasn't in their pre-stimulation urine.

The evidence suggests squirting mainly consists of bladder urine mixed with Skene's glands secretions. One researcher put it simply: "squirting is the involuntary emission of urine during sexual activity, though prostatic secretions often add a small contribution to the fluid".

The fluid looks different from regular urine - usually clear instead of yellow, with its own distinct smell and taste. This difference explains why many people who squirt say the fluid doesn't seem like urine, even though science confirms it mainly comes from the bladder.

Is squirting normal and how common is it?

Many people wonder if squirting is normal and how common it really is. The good news is research gives us clear answers: squirting is a natural variation in sexual response that happens quite often among the population.

Survey data and research findings

The best information comes from nationwide studies that tell squirting and female ejaculation apart. Approximately 40% of U.S. adult women have experienced squirting at least once in their lives. Most women who squirt do this rarely, typically three to five times.

Studies show different numbers about how common this is:

• A complete literature review shows 10% to 54% of women experience some type of female ejaculation
• Research with a bigger sample found 58% of women aged 18-69 had experienced ejaculation/squirting
• Scientists in Sweden estimate about 5% of women in Western countries experience this

These numbers differ because scientists use different methods, terms mean different things, and people self-report differently. Among those who squirt, 39.6% say they've done it "once or twice," 19.5% report 3-5 times, 11.7% say 6-10 times, and 28.9% have done it 11 or more times.

Why some people squirt and others don't

Body differences play a big part in who can squirt. Scientists studying cadavers found that Skene's glands—which we need for female ejaculation—aren't in everyone's body. About 30-40% of people with vaginas might not have these glands, which means they probably can't experience female ejaculation.

Your mental state matters too. One study participant said, "I believe that squirting is 95% psychological because I can't do it with someone I don't trust". Another noted, "When I'm calm, without the pressure of 'come on, I'm going to achieve it,' I like it much more and I'm more likely to succeed".

Your partner's reaction makes a difference. Women with partners who reacted badly were nowhere near as likely to try squirting again (92%) compared to those with supportive partners (57.1%). A study showed that even with expert guidance, just 37% of women who had never squirted before could do so after four focused sessions.

Cultural stigma and underreporting

Shame and wrong information affect how people experience squirting. About 28% of women felt shocked and ashamed the first time they squirted, and 25% thought they had peed. Also, 41.8% worried about hygiene and thought they were urinating, while 28.3% stressed about "making a mess".

Porn creates unrealistic ideas about squirting. One source points out, "Squirting is involuntary, but porn makes it seem like every woman can squirt every time, or on command. That is simply not true". These wrong ideas can frustrate young women because their partners might expect too much.

People don't talk enough about female sexuality because it's taboo. A study participant shared, "I believe that the information society has about squirting is limited because all sexual conversations remain a taboo, but it could improve with better sex education and better trained professionals".

Gigi Engle, a certified sex educator, puts it best: "Whether you squirt or not, however you experience pleasure is perfectly valid and should be celebrated".

Tips on how to squirt (solo and with a partner)

Learning to squirt combines physical techniques with mental preparation. Each person's trip to discover this aspect of their sexuality is unique. People who experience squirting describe it as a deep release that improves their sexual satisfaction.

Relaxation and mindset

The right environment is vital to squirt. Your body needs proper hydration to make the process quick and easy. You need a comfortable space without distractions. Place waterproof blankets or towels down so you won't worry about making a mess. The bathtub works well for some people because cleanup becomes easier.

Your mental state plays an equally vital role. Research by Dr. Wise shows that anxiety and performance pressure can stop squirting. Squirting works better as a possibility to explore rather than a specific goal. One expert points out that "Any time you approach sex with a goal, there's potential pressure placed on the act that can create frustration and disappointment".

Techniques for solo exploration

Solo play gives you room to experiment comfortably without pressure to please someone else. You can:

• Build your pleasure pathways through regular masturbation
• Learn about your pelvic floor muscles—practice contracting them (Kegels) and relaxing them
• Find your G-spot with your middle finger 1-3 inches inside your vagina, palm facing up
• Test different stimulation methods like:
  • "Push the Button" (repeatedly pressing the G-spot)
  • "Come Hither" (curling fingers in a beckoning motion)
  • Circular motions with steady pressure

Your perineal sponge deserves attention too. This area just below the G-spot controls vaginal lubrication.

Partnered stimulation methods

Good communication is the foundation of successful partnered squirting. Talk about expectations first and understand that squirting might not happen every time. These tips can help:

Deep connection through tantric-inspired eye contact helps, along with matching your breathing. Start with lots of foreplay and touch various erogenous zones before moving to genital stimulation. Once arousal peaks, use the finger techniques mentioned above, focusing on steady G-spot stimulation.

Keep the same pace and pressure when your partner feels close to squirting. Many describe this feeling as needing to pee. Extreme wetness with a "splash splash" sound means squirting might happen soon.

Positions that may help

Some positions make squirting easier by offering better G-spot access:

Doggy style works well for most people. Lola Jean explains, "If you're being penetrated, you can really adjust where that's hitting by cat-cowing your back". Butterfly Queening lets partners reach everything easily while you lie back with knees spread. The G-Spot position aims thrusts right at the G-spot as your partner lifts your hips while your shoulders stay down.

Partners with smaller penises can still hit the right spots since the G-spot sits only 1-3 inches inside.

Debunking myths and misconceptions

Popular culture and porn have created many myths about squirting that lead to confusion and unrealistic expectations. Science gives us clear answers to these persistent myths.

Myth: Everyone can squirt

The human body's anatomy shows not everyone can squirt. Scientists who examine cadavers found that Skene's glands—vital for female ejaculation—don't exist in all bodies. Research shows 30-40% of people with vaginas don't have these glands at all. Expert guidance helped only 37% of women who never squirted before succeed after four focused training sessions. Surveys also reveal that squirting happens in about 40% of adult women. These numbers prove it's not something everyone can do.

Myth: Squirting equals better sex

Porn might suggest otherwise, but squirting doesn't guarantee sexual satisfaction. A study revealed only 60% of people found squirting pleasurable or somewhat pleasurable. Most participants (77%) saw it as a positive sensation, while others felt shame or embarrassment. One expert puts it simply: "squirting isn't a surefire sign of good sex or a strong orgasm". People who enjoy it should celebrate that fact—but its absence doesn't mean the sex isn't great.

Myth: It's just pee

Squirting fluid has a more complex makeup than most people think. Scientists found it contains elements like those in urine (urea, creatinine, and uric acid), but it's usually more diluted. The fluid contains prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which regular urine doesn't have. A study detected PSA in four out of five squirting samples. This suggests Skene's glands contribute to the fluid along with bladder contents.

Myth: It's a sign of orgasm

In stark comparison to this common belief, squirting and orgasm are two different body responses. Only 20% of people "always" experience both at once. Studies show 61% of people have orgasms close to or during ejaculation/squirting, while others experience them at different times. Experts confirm that "squirting can also happen before or after an orgasm". These findings show they're separate responses that sometimes happen together.

Conclusion

Science has finally started to explain squirting, which remains one of the least understood parts of female sexuality. Researchers have used ultrasound studies and biochemical analysis to show that squirting happens when fluid from the bladder mixes with secretions from the Skene's glands. The research shows that about 40% of women can squirt, making it a normal sexual response rather than some special talent.

Every woman's experience with squirting is unique. Some women feel intense pleasure and release, while others barely notice when it happens. These differences need to be understood better to help reduce shame and promote healthy attitudes about this aspect of sexuality. Success depends as much on psychological factors like trust and relaxation as it does on physical techniques.

Squirting shouldn't be seen as the standard for great sex. Porn may exaggerate it, but squirting doesn't mean better sex and doesn't always happen with orgasm. Some women's bodies just aren't built for squirting, whatever techniques they try.

Anyone interested in learning about squirting should create a comfortable environment where they can talk openly. Partners can try different types of stimulation, especially around the G-spot, without putting pressure on themselves. Remember that sexual pleasure comes in many forms. Squirting is just one way among many to experience intimate satisfaction.