Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCan Everyone Squirt?How It FeelsSquirt vs. EjaculateThe ProcessHow to SquirtHelping a Partner
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Can Everyone Squirt?
How It Feels
Squirt vs. Ejaculate
The Process
How to Squirt
Helping a Partner
While some may experience squirting, others may not. Those who do may squirt regularly or only occasionally.
AleksandarNakic / Getty Images
Sex and Gender TerminologySex, gender, and sexuality each exist on a spectrum. This article usesfemaleandmalefor sexual and reproductive anatomy assigned at birth. Gender-specific terms such asmanandwomanmay be used to describe the participants of scientific studies.
Sex and Gender Terminology
Sex, gender, and sexuality each exist on a spectrum. This article usesfemaleandmalefor sexual and reproductive anatomy assigned at birth. Gender-specific terms such asmanandwomanmay be used to describe the participants of scientific studies.
Whether all females can squirt is up for debate. Part of the problem is that the distinction between squirting and female ejaculation is new, and most older research treats them as the same thing.
Some experts believe that all females can squirt. Others say it depends on your body and that some people may never be able to squirt.Current research estimates about 5% of women in Western countries experience squirting.
You may have heard other names for squirting, like:GushingTsunami of loveJizzingFemale ejaculationAlthough the term “female ejaculation” is used interchangeably with squirting, research suggests that ejaculation and squirting are distinctly different.
You may have heard other names for squirting, like:
Although the term “female ejaculation” is used interchangeably with squirting, research suggests that ejaculation and squirting are distinctly different.
What Does Squirting Feel Like?
Squirting feels different from person to person. Generally speaking, many equate the release of clear fluids with sexual stimulation (with or without orgasm) as squirting.
Some say their squirting orgasm seems to come fromdeeper in the bodythan with a clitoral orgasm, causing a “bearing down” sensation.
Others say they feel the need to pee before squirting, or that the fluid release feels like urinating. Because of the involvement of the bladder, sensations like these are likely with squirting.
Still, others don’t feel anything aside from sudden wetness.
Many people who discuss their squirting ability online say they find it pleasurable. Whether it’s the release itself or the stimulation that leads to it isn’t clear. Studies support the connection between sexual pleasure and squirting.
Squirting vs. Female Ejaculation
As defined today:
As research into female sexual pleasure and the fluids associated with it has expanded, experts have discovered critical differences between squirting and ejaculation.
The fluids themselves are different, as are their sources, the mechanisms behind the expulsion, and the amount typically expelled.Both come through theurethra(as does male ejaculate), even though they originate in different places.
SquirtingClear, watery fluidBelieved to come from the bladderUp to 10 tablespoons of fluidContains urea, creatinine, and uric acid, similar to diluted urine, sometimes with a small amount of prostatic-specific antigen (PSA)Female EjaculationMilky, sometimes viscous fluidBelieved to come from the Skene’s gland (“female prostate”)About 1 teaspoon of fluidContains high levels of prostatic acid phosphatase, prostatic specific antigen (PSA), glucose and fructose; low levels of urea and creatinine (similar to male ejaculate but without the sperm)
SquirtingClear, watery fluidBelieved to come from the bladderUp to 10 tablespoons of fluidContains urea, creatinine, and uric acid, similar to diluted urine, sometimes with a small amount of prostatic-specific antigen (PSA)
Clear, watery fluid
Believed to come from the bladder
Up to 10 tablespoons of fluid
Contains urea, creatinine, and uric acid, similar to diluted urine, sometimes with a small amount of prostatic-specific antigen (PSA)
Female EjaculationMilky, sometimes viscous fluidBelieved to come from the Skene’s gland (“female prostate”)About 1 teaspoon of fluidContains high levels of prostatic acid phosphatase, prostatic specific antigen (PSA), glucose and fructose; low levels of urea and creatinine (similar to male ejaculate but without the sperm)
Milky, sometimes viscous fluid
Believed to come from the Skene’s gland (“female prostate”)
About 1 teaspoon of fluid
Contains high levels of prostatic acid phosphatase, prostatic specific antigen (PSA), glucose and fructose; low levels of urea and creatinine (similar to male ejaculate but without the sperm)
Both squirting and female ejaculation are often associated with orgasm, especially when clitoral and G-spot stimulation is involved. However, some people ejaculate and squirt from stimulation even without orgasm.
What’s become clear through research is that experiencing squirting and/or female ejaculation is normal. Never experiencing either one is also normal. A lack of squirting or ejaculation doesn’t mean sex is unsatisfactory.
What Happens When You Squirt?
Most of the liquid expelled while squirting appears to originate in the bladder. It contains some elements of urine but is much more watered down.
In a study involving women who can squirt, researchers emptied the participants' bladders with a catheter and then injected a blue dye into the bladders. They then induced squirting with sexual stimulation and collected the fluid.
The squirted fluid was blue in all cases, meaning it came from the bladder. Testing revealed that the fluid was mainly urine. But it also contained fluid from the Skene’s gland (the female prostate).
That suggests an overlap between squirting and ejaculating, as female ejaculation is believed to come from Skene’s gland and has much in common with male seminal fluid.In female ejaculation, all of the milky fluid comes from the Skene’s gland.
Another study used ultrasound to observe the bladder during sexual stimulation and squirting. Researchers confirmed that the participants' bladders were empty before stimulation. The ultrasounds showed noticeable bladder filling during sexual stimulation just before squirting.
Why this happens isn’t understood. There is some speculation that a strong pelvic floor makes squirting more likely.
Myths About SquirtingPornography tends to exaggerate squirting as involving substantial amounts of fluid. However, squirting is different for everyone, and small amounts of fluid are normal.Squirting fluid is not urine, or not completely. The fluid released tends to be clear (not yellow) and doesn’t have the same smell or taste as urine.Squirting isn’t the same as coital incontinence (urine leakage during sexual activity).
Myths About Squirting
Pornography tends to exaggerate squirting as involving substantial amounts of fluid. However, squirting is different for everyone, and small amounts of fluid are normal.Squirting fluid is not urine, or not completely. The fluid released tends to be clear (not yellow) and doesn’t have the same smell or taste as urine.Squirting isn’t the same as coital incontinence (urine leakage during sexual activity).
Pelvic Floor Exercises and Instructions
If squirting hasn’t happened naturally, rest assured that not squirting is entirely normal. Squirting doesn’t mean better sex.
However, if you or your sexual partner(s) want to try to experience squirting, these tips may help. Remember to lay down a towel. If you’re successful, things could get wet:
Positions That Stimulate the Front of the VaginaSex from behind/doggy style:In this position, the penetrating partner can more easily stimulate the G-spot. This can be done while the receiving partner is lying flat or kneeling and bending forward with the shoulders close to the mattress or ground.Reverse cowgirl:Have the penetrative partner lie down while the receiving partner faces away on top.Manual missionary:Have the giving partner performoral stimulationwhile fingering the receiving partner. Or, the receiving partner fingers her own clitoris while the giving partner performs oral sex.
Positions That Stimulate the Front of the Vagina
Sex from behind/doggy style:In this position, the penetrating partner can more easily stimulate the G-spot. This can be done while the receiving partner is lying flat or kneeling and bending forward with the shoulders close to the mattress or ground.Reverse cowgirl:Have the penetrative partner lie down while the receiving partner faces away on top.Manual missionary:Have the giving partner performoral stimulationwhile fingering the receiving partner. Or, the receiving partner fingers her own clitoris while the giving partner performs oral sex.
How to Help Your Partner Squirt
Let your partner lead the way in expressing an interest in squirting. Other than volunteering to help, don’t pressure them.
It’s important to be sensitive to their feedback, so you know when to stop. Other ways to help include:
Safe SquirtingThe fluid from squirting or ejaculating can spread sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Be sure to practicesafer sexto protect yourself and your partner(s).
Safe Squirting
The fluid from squirting or ejaculating can spread sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Be sure to practicesafer sexto protect yourself and your partner(s).
Summary
Experts are still working to understand squirting and how it differs from female ejaculation. Research indicates they produce distinct fluids from different organs (female ejaculation from the female prostate, squirting from the bladder).
Squirting involves more liquid and resembles diluted urine. Ejaculate contains ingredients that are similar to male ejaculate but without sperm.
So far, it’s unclear whether every female is able to squirt. Squirting can happen with or without female ejaculation, and with or without orgasm.
Techniques to encourage squirting include relaxing, stimulating the G-spot and clitoris together, and going with the feeling. It may or may not happen, but not being able to squirt is entirely normal.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pastor Z, Chmel R.Female ejaculation and squirting as similar but completely different phenomena: A narrative review of current research.Clin Anat. 2022;35(5):616-625. doi:10.1002/ca.23879International Society for Sexual Medicine.Do women ejaculate?Whipple B.Ejaculation, female. In:The International Encyclopedia of Human Sexuality. American Cancer Society; 2014:1-4. doi:10.1002/9781118896877.wbiehs125Inoue M, Sekiguchi Y, Ninomiya N, Kobayashi T, Araki M.Enhanced visualization of female squirting[published online ahead of print, 2022 Aug 24].Int J Urol. 2022;10.1111/iju.15004. doi:10.1111/iju.15004Pastor Z, Chmel R.Differential diagnostics of female “sexual” fluids: a narrative review.Int Urogynecol J. 2018;29(5):621-629. doi:10.1007/s00192-017-3527-9Salama S, Boitrelle F, Gauquelin A, Malagrida L, Thiounn N, Desvaux P.Nature and origin of “squirting” in female sexuality.J Sex Med. 2015;12(3):661-666. doi:10.1111/jsm.12799BBC.The taboos of women’s sexual health.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pastor Z, Chmel R.Female ejaculation and squirting as similar but completely different phenomena: A narrative review of current research.Clin Anat. 2022;35(5):616-625. doi:10.1002/ca.23879International Society for Sexual Medicine.Do women ejaculate?Whipple B.Ejaculation, female. In:The International Encyclopedia of Human Sexuality. American Cancer Society; 2014:1-4. doi:10.1002/9781118896877.wbiehs125Inoue M, Sekiguchi Y, Ninomiya N, Kobayashi T, Araki M.Enhanced visualization of female squirting[published online ahead of print, 2022 Aug 24].Int J Urol. 2022;10.1111/iju.15004. doi:10.1111/iju.15004Pastor Z, Chmel R.Differential diagnostics of female “sexual” fluids: a narrative review.Int Urogynecol J. 2018;29(5):621-629. doi:10.1007/s00192-017-3527-9Salama S, Boitrelle F, Gauquelin A, Malagrida L, Thiounn N, Desvaux P.Nature and origin of “squirting” in female sexuality.J Sex Med. 2015;12(3):661-666. doi:10.1111/jsm.12799BBC.The taboos of women’s sexual health.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Pastor Z, Chmel R.Female ejaculation and squirting as similar but completely different phenomena: A narrative review of current research.Clin Anat. 2022;35(5):616-625. doi:10.1002/ca.23879International Society for Sexual Medicine.Do women ejaculate?Whipple B.Ejaculation, female. In:The International Encyclopedia of Human Sexuality. American Cancer Society; 2014:1-4. doi:10.1002/9781118896877.wbiehs125Inoue M, Sekiguchi Y, Ninomiya N, Kobayashi T, Araki M.Enhanced visualization of female squirting[published online ahead of print, 2022 Aug 24].Int J Urol. 2022;10.1111/iju.15004. doi:10.1111/iju.15004Pastor Z, Chmel R.Differential diagnostics of female “sexual” fluids: a narrative review.Int Urogynecol J. 2018;29(5):621-629. doi:10.1007/s00192-017-3527-9Salama S, Boitrelle F, Gauquelin A, Malagrida L, Thiounn N, Desvaux P.Nature and origin of “squirting” in female sexuality.J Sex Med. 2015;12(3):661-666. doi:10.1111/jsm.12799BBC.The taboos of women’s sexual health.
Pastor Z, Chmel R.Female ejaculation and squirting as similar but completely different phenomena: A narrative review of current research.Clin Anat. 2022;35(5):616-625. doi:10.1002/ca.23879
International Society for Sexual Medicine.Do women ejaculate?
Whipple B.Ejaculation, female. In:The International Encyclopedia of Human Sexuality. American Cancer Society; 2014:1-4. doi:10.1002/9781118896877.wbiehs125
Inoue M, Sekiguchi Y, Ninomiya N, Kobayashi T, Araki M.Enhanced visualization of female squirting[published online ahead of print, 2022 Aug 24].Int J Urol. 2022;10.1111/iju.15004. doi:10.1111/iju.15004
Pastor Z, Chmel R.Differential diagnostics of female “sexual” fluids: a narrative review.Int Urogynecol J. 2018;29(5):621-629. doi:10.1007/s00192-017-3527-9
Salama S, Boitrelle F, Gauquelin A, Malagrida L, Thiounn N, Desvaux P.Nature and origin of “squirting” in female sexuality.J Sex Med. 2015;12(3):661-666. doi:10.1111/jsm.12799
BBC.The taboos of women’s sexual health.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
