Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLocationFunctionsHealth-Related ProblemsDiagnosis and Treatment

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Location

Functions

Health-Related Problems

Diagnosis and Treatment

TheSkene’s glandsare a pair of small, pea-sized glands on the front wall of the vagina near the end of theurethra, where urine passes out of the body.The Skene’s glands help lubricate the urethra and play important roles in both urinary and sexual health.

The glands are sometimes also called:The lesser vestibular glandsThe paraurethal glandsSkene’s ductsThe periurethral glands

The glands are sometimes also called:

Some people call the Skene’s glands the “the female prostate” because they develop from the same cells that become the prostate gland in males.

This article reviews the location and anatomy of the Skene’s glands, their functions in urinary and sexual health, and health problems associated with these glands.

ericsphotography / Getty Images

Female doctor holding an anatomical model of the female pelvis

The Skene’s glands are located on the front wall of the vagina, on either side of the lower end of the urethra—the tube through which urine exits the body.

Like the male prostate, the internal portion of the Skene’s glands hug the lower end of the urethra. The size of the glands varies from woman to woman.

Some researchers believe the area behind the Skene’s glands constitutes the female “G-spot,” orGräfenbergspot, an area of heightened sensitivity inside the vagina that can produce an orgasm when stimulated. The existence of a female G-spot is controversial, and the size of the alleged area of sensitivity appears to vary considerably from person to person.

The Skene’s glands are important for both urinary and sexual health.

Urinary Functions

The Skene’s glands release secretions that drain into the urethra and help keep the urethra lubricated. These secretions are thought to be antimicrobial and may help preventurinary tract infections(UTIs).

Sexual Functions

The Skene’s glands help lubricate the vagina during sexual arousal. The glands are surrounded with clitoral tissue, which swells during sexual arousal. This swelling stimulates the Skene’s glands to release a mucus-rich fluid.

More controversially, the Skene’s glands are also thought to be the source of female ejaculation—the release of a thick milky-white fluid during orgasm.

Not all women experience female ejaculation. The reasons for such variation are poorly understood, but probably reflect underlying anatomical differences.The amount of clitoral tissue surrounding the Skene’s glands, and the size of the Skene’s glands themselves varies considerably from woman to woman.

Health problems related to the Skene’s glands are uncommon, but the glands do occasionally become infected or, very rarely, develop cancers.

Skenitis

If you have skenitis, your Skene’s glands will enlarge and become tender to the touch. You may also experience these symptoms, which resemble the symptoms of a UTI:

Rarely, skenitis leads to the formation of cysts (fluid-filled sacs) or abscesses (pus-filled sacs). These cysts and abscesses are most common in a person’s 30s and 40s. Large cysts can block the flow of urine through the urethra, preventing you from passing urine.

Skenitis is typically treated with antibiotics. If antibiotics fail to clear a cyst or abscess, you may need surgery to remove it.

Cancer

The Skene’s glands derive from the same tissue as the prostate gland. But although prostate cancer is a common cancer affecting 1 in 8 men in the United States, cancers of the Skene’s glands are extremely rare. Fewer than 20 cases of cancers originating in the Skene’s glands have been documented.

Most abnormal growths that do occur are adenomas, which are benign (noncancerous), and glandular adenocarcinomas, which are malignant (cancerous).Adenocarcinomas are thought to arise from untreated or delayed treatment of infections.

Like prostate cancer,cancers of the Skene’s glandssometimes secrete prostate-specific antigen.

If your healthcare provider suspects you have a UTI or skenitis, you will be asked to report your symptoms and will receive a physical exam. Your healthcare provider should perform a urine test (urinalysis) to confirm a UTI.

Both UTIs and skenitis should be treated promptly with antibiotics.If you continue to have symptoms after finishing your course of antibiotics, seek medical attention. Your lingering symptoms could indicate an underlying medical issue that requires treatment.

Cancers of the Skene’s glands are usually diagnosed with imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRIs). These cancers are typically treated with surgery. Additional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation depend on how advanced the cancer is.

Summary

The Skene’s glands, or the female prostate, are an important part of both urinary and sexual health. The Skene’s glands are located in the vaginal wall and help lubricate the vagina during sex. These glands can occasionally cause issues if they become infected, which is referred to as skenitis.

A Word From Verywell

The Skene’s glands are a lesser-known part of female genitalia, and their functions are still being studied.

So far, it is known that these glands help lubricate the urethra and provide vaginal lubrication during sexual arousal.

17 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.Hoare BS, Khan YS.Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis, female internal genitals. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2021.Jannini E, d’Amati G, Lenzi A.Histology and immunohistochemical studies of female genital tissue. doi:10.1201/b14618-19Nguyen JD, Duong H.Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis: Female external genitalia. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2024.Lloyd J.Understanding the Skene’s glands. MyVagina.com.Pastor Z, Chmel R.Differential diagnostics of female “sexual” fluids: A narrative review.Int Urogynecol J. 2018;29(5):621-629. doi:10.1007/s00192-017-3527-9Wimpissinger F, Stifter K, Grin W, Stackl W.The female prostate revisited: Perineal ultrasound and biochemical studies of female ejaculate.J Sex Med. 2007;4(5):1388-1393. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2007.00542.xRodriguez FD, Camacho A, Bordes SJ, Gardner B, Levin RJ, Tubbs RS.Female ejaculation: An update on anatomy, history, and controversies.Clin Anat. 2021;34(1):103-107. doi:10.1002/ca.23654Skenes gland cyst causing urinary retention.New Horizons in Clinical Case Reports. 2017;1:8.Tamburrini S, Vascone C, Marrone V, et al.Skene’s glands abscess an overlooked diagnosis in acute lower urinary symptoms.Radiol Case Rep. 2021;16(12):3751-3756. doi:10.1016/j.radcr.2021.09.006Merck Manual Consumer Version.Skene duct cyst.Köse O, Aydemir H, Metin O, Budak S, Sonbahar A, Adsan O.Experiences with the management of paraurethral cysts in adult women.Cent European J Urol. 2014;66(4):477-480. doi:10.5173/ceju.2013.04.art24American Cancer Society.Key statistics for prostate cancer.Tsutsumi S, Kawahara T, Hattori Y, et al.Skene duct adenocarcinoma in a patient with an elevated serum prostate-specific antigen level: A case report.J Med Case Rep. 2018;12(1):32. doi:10.1186/s13256-017-1558-yDoveMed.Skene’s gland adenocarcinoma.Tregnago AC, Epstein JI.Skene’s glands adenocarcinoma: A series of 4 cases.Am J Surg Pathol. 2018;42(11):1513-1521. doi:10.1097/PAS.0000000000001108Tamburrini S, Vascone C, Marrone V, et al.Skene’s glands abscess an overlooked diagnosis in acute lower urinary symptoms.Radiol Case Rep. 2021;16(12):3751-3756. doi:10.1016/j.radcr.2021.09.006Chaudhari VV, Patel MK, Douek M, Raman SS.MR imaging and US of female urethral and periurethral disease.Radiographics. 2010;30(7):1857-1874. doi:10.1148/rg.307105054

17 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.Hoare BS, Khan YS.Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis, female internal genitals. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2021.Jannini E, d’Amati G, Lenzi A.Histology and immunohistochemical studies of female genital tissue. doi:10.1201/b14618-19Nguyen JD, Duong H.Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis: Female external genitalia. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2024.Lloyd J.Understanding the Skene’s glands. MyVagina.com.Pastor Z, Chmel R.Differential diagnostics of female “sexual” fluids: A narrative review.Int Urogynecol J. 2018;29(5):621-629. doi:10.1007/s00192-017-3527-9Wimpissinger F, Stifter K, Grin W, Stackl W.The female prostate revisited: Perineal ultrasound and biochemical studies of female ejaculate.J Sex Med. 2007;4(5):1388-1393. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2007.00542.xRodriguez FD, Camacho A, Bordes SJ, Gardner B, Levin RJ, Tubbs RS.Female ejaculation: An update on anatomy, history, and controversies.Clin Anat. 2021;34(1):103-107. doi:10.1002/ca.23654Skenes gland cyst causing urinary retention.New Horizons in Clinical Case Reports. 2017;1:8.Tamburrini S, Vascone C, Marrone V, et al.Skene’s glands abscess an overlooked diagnosis in acute lower urinary symptoms.Radiol Case Rep. 2021;16(12):3751-3756. doi:10.1016/j.radcr.2021.09.006Merck Manual Consumer Version.Skene duct cyst.Köse O, Aydemir H, Metin O, Budak S, Sonbahar A, Adsan O.Experiences with the management of paraurethral cysts in adult women.Cent European J Urol. 2014;66(4):477-480. doi:10.5173/ceju.2013.04.art24American Cancer Society.Key statistics for prostate cancer.Tsutsumi S, Kawahara T, Hattori Y, et al.Skene duct adenocarcinoma in a patient with an elevated serum prostate-specific antigen level: A case report.J Med Case Rep. 2018;12(1):32. doi:10.1186/s13256-017-1558-yDoveMed.Skene’s gland adenocarcinoma.Tregnago AC, Epstein JI.Skene’s glands adenocarcinoma: A series of 4 cases.Am J Surg Pathol. 2018;42(11):1513-1521. doi:10.1097/PAS.0000000000001108Tamburrini S, Vascone C, Marrone V, et al.Skene’s glands abscess an overlooked diagnosis in acute lower urinary symptoms.Radiol Case Rep. 2021;16(12):3751-3756. doi:10.1016/j.radcr.2021.09.006Chaudhari VV, Patel MK, Douek M, Raman SS.MR imaging and US of female urethral and periurethral disease.Radiographics. 2010;30(7):1857-1874. doi:10.1148/rg.307105054

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.

Hoare BS, Khan YS.Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis, female internal genitals. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2021.Jannini E, d’Amati G, Lenzi A.Histology and immunohistochemical studies of female genital tissue. doi:10.1201/b14618-19Nguyen JD, Duong H.Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis: Female external genitalia. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2024.Lloyd J.Understanding the Skene’s glands. MyVagina.com.Pastor Z, Chmel R.Differential diagnostics of female “sexual” fluids: A narrative review.Int Urogynecol J. 2018;29(5):621-629. doi:10.1007/s00192-017-3527-9Wimpissinger F, Stifter K, Grin W, Stackl W.The female prostate revisited: Perineal ultrasound and biochemical studies of female ejaculate.J Sex Med. 2007;4(5):1388-1393. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2007.00542.xRodriguez FD, Camacho A, Bordes SJ, Gardner B, Levin RJ, Tubbs RS.Female ejaculation: An update on anatomy, history, and controversies.Clin Anat. 2021;34(1):103-107. doi:10.1002/ca.23654Skenes gland cyst causing urinary retention.New Horizons in Clinical Case Reports. 2017;1:8.Tamburrini S, Vascone C, Marrone V, et al.Skene’s glands abscess an overlooked diagnosis in acute lower urinary symptoms.Radiol Case Rep. 2021;16(12):3751-3756. doi:10.1016/j.radcr.2021.09.006Merck Manual Consumer Version.Skene duct cyst.Köse O, Aydemir H, Metin O, Budak S, Sonbahar A, Adsan O.Experiences with the management of paraurethral cysts in adult women.Cent European J Urol. 2014;66(4):477-480. doi:10.5173/ceju.2013.04.art24American Cancer Society.Key statistics for prostate cancer.Tsutsumi S, Kawahara T, Hattori Y, et al.Skene duct adenocarcinoma in a patient with an elevated serum prostate-specific antigen level: A case report.J Med Case Rep. 2018;12(1):32. doi:10.1186/s13256-017-1558-yDoveMed.Skene’s gland adenocarcinoma.Tregnago AC, Epstein JI.Skene’s glands adenocarcinoma: A series of 4 cases.Am J Surg Pathol. 2018;42(11):1513-1521. doi:10.1097/PAS.0000000000001108Tamburrini S, Vascone C, Marrone V, et al.Skene’s glands abscess an overlooked diagnosis in acute lower urinary symptoms.Radiol Case Rep. 2021;16(12):3751-3756. doi:10.1016/j.radcr.2021.09.006Chaudhari VV, Patel MK, Douek M, Raman SS.MR imaging and US of female urethral and periurethral disease.Radiographics. 2010;30(7):1857-1874. doi:10.1148/rg.307105054

Hoare BS, Khan YS.Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis, female internal genitals. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2021.

Jannini E, d’Amati G, Lenzi A.Histology and immunohistochemical studies of female genital tissue. doi:10.1201/b14618-19

Nguyen JD, Duong H.Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis: Female external genitalia. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2024.

Lloyd J.Understanding the Skene’s glands. MyVagina.com.

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

Wimpissinger F, Stifter K, Grin W, Stackl W.The female prostate revisited: Perineal ultrasound and biochemical studies of female ejaculate.J Sex Med. 2007;4(5):1388-1393. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2007.00542.x

Rodriguez FD, Camacho A, Bordes SJ, Gardner B, Levin RJ, Tubbs RS.Female ejaculation: An update on anatomy, history, and controversies.Clin Anat. 2021;34(1):103-107. doi:10.1002/ca.23654

Skenes gland cyst causing urinary retention.New Horizons in Clinical Case Reports. 2017;1:8.

Tamburrini S, Vascone C, Marrone V, et al.Skene’s glands abscess an overlooked diagnosis in acute lower urinary symptoms.Radiol Case Rep. 2021;16(12):3751-3756. doi:10.1016/j.radcr.2021.09.006

Merck Manual Consumer Version.Skene duct cyst.

Köse O, Aydemir H, Metin O, Budak S, Sonbahar A, Adsan O.Experiences with the management of paraurethral cysts in adult women.Cent European J Urol. 2014;66(4):477-480. doi:10.5173/ceju.2013.04.art24

American Cancer Society.Key statistics for prostate cancer.

Tsutsumi S, Kawahara T, Hattori Y, et al.Skene duct adenocarcinoma in a patient with an elevated serum prostate-specific antigen level: A case report.J Med Case Rep. 2018;12(1):32. doi:10.1186/s13256-017-1558-y

DoveMed.Skene’s gland adenocarcinoma.

Tregnago AC, Epstein JI.Skene’s glands adenocarcinoma: A series of 4 cases.Am J Surg Pathol. 2018;42(11):1513-1521. doi:10.1097/PAS.0000000000001108

Chaudhari VV, Patel MK, Douek M, Raman SS.MR imaging and US of female urethral and periurethral disease.Radiographics. 2010;30(7):1857-1874. doi:10.1148/rg.307105054

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