Few topics in female sexuality are as wrapped in myth, shame and confusion as squirting. Is it urine? Can everyone do it? Is it a sign of a "better" orgasm? Over the past two decades the answers have become much clearer thanks to real scientific research — and they're more reassuring and more interesting than the myths suggest.
In this guide we explain exactly what squirting is, where the fluid comes from, how it differs from female ejaculation, and what science says about how (and whether) you can experience it. No jargon, no shame, with peer-reviewed research as the foundation.
Squirting and Female Ejaculation: Not the Same Thing
The first and most important correction: in the scientific literature, squirting and female ejaculation are increasingly described as two separate phenomena.
Female ejaculation refers to a small amount (a few milliliters) of milky, opaque fluid secreted by the Skene's glands. Squirting refers to the sudden expulsion of a much larger volume of clear, watery fluid — sometimes tens of milliliters to over a hundred.
Researchers Pastor and Chmel described this distinction in detail: different mechanisms, different fluids, different sources. The fact that they can occur at the same time makes the confusion understandable, but they are not identical.
Where Does the Fluid Come From?
This is the question that has produced the most research. In 2015 a French team led by Samuel Salama published a study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine in which seven healthy women were monitored with ultrasound before and during sexual stimulation (Salama et al., 2015).
The result: the bladder was empty before arousal, filled during stimulation, and was empty again after squirting. In other words — the fluid released during squirting comes largely from the bladder. Biochemical analysis confirmed it contains urea, creatinine and uric acid: substances produced in the kidneys.
But — and this is crucial — in most participants the fluid also contained PSA (prostate-specific antigen), a substance not found in ordinary urine. Which brings us to the Skene's glands.
The Skene's Glands: the "Female Prostate"
Surrounding the urethra are the paraurethral glands, also known as the Skene's glands. They are increasingly called the "female prostate" because — like the male prostate — they produce PSA.
A landmark study by Wimpissinger and colleagues (2007, Journal of Sexual Medicine) analyzed the composition of female ejaculate. The PSA concentration in the ejaculate was more than a hundred times higher than in the same women's urine — strong evidence that the ejaculate has its own distinct source: the Skene's glands, not just the bladder.
The Skene's glands sit close to the area often called the G-spot. That explains why stimulation of the front vaginal wall can trigger ejaculation or squirting in some women. Read more about this area in our guide to G-spot stimulation.
So: Is It Urine?
The honest, scientific answer: partly yes, partly no — and it doesn't matter.
The large, clear squirting fluid comes largely from the bladder and contains urine components, but it is heavily diluted and often also contains PSA from the Skene's glands. It is not "accidental peeing" and it is not a sign that something is wrong. It is a normal physiological response to sexual arousal.
The shame around this topic comes almost entirely from the idea that "it's just pee" — and that picture is both scientifically too simplistic and needlessly loaded. Many women pee beforehand just in case; it takes the mental brake off.
How Common Is It?
Far more common than you'd think given how little it's discussed. Estimates in the literature range from 10 to 54%, depending on definition and method. A 2024 Swedish cross-sectional study found that 58% of participants had at some point experienced ejaculation or squirting.
More important than the exact percentage: it is a normal variant of female sexuality, not a rare talent and not an abnormality. Some women experience it regularly, others once, others never — and all three are completely normal.
Can You Learn It?
There is no guaranteed method, and that's exactly where it often goes wrong: chasing squirting as a goal creates performance pressure, and performance pressure is the biggest enemy of arousal. Still, certain conditions make it more likely.
What helps, physiologically:
- Time and arousal. The Skene's glands and surrounding tissue swell when aroused. Rushing is counterproductive.
- Stimulation of the front vaginal wall (the G-spot area), often with a "come here" motion. A curved, G-spot-focused toy like the ODES Hush G-Spot vibrator is designed for exactly this.
- Relaxing the pelvic floor. Many women clench at the very moment they might squirt, because it feels like they need to pee. Learning to release rather than clench is often the key. Our guide to pelvic floor training helps you feel that area more consciously.
- The right setting. A towel underneath, no worries about the sheets, no audience. Mental safety matters.
Common Mistakes
Treating it as a goal. Squirting is a possible outcome, not an exam. Women who fixate on it experience less pleasure, not more.
Clenching instead of releasing. The "I need to pee" sensation is normal just before squirting. Clenching shut at that moment blocks the response.
Too fast, too dry. Without build-up and without lubricant, intense G-spot stimulation is more uncomfortable than pleasant. Use a water-based lubricant — see our complete lubricant guide.
Comparing to porn. The exaggerated "fountains" in porn are often staged. Real squirting varies enormously in volume and is usually more modest.
When Is It a Signal to Pay Attention?
Squirting itself is not a medical problem. But if you experience involuntary urine loss at other times (when sneezing, exercising, laughing), that may point to a weakened pelvic floor — something pelvic floor training or a pelvic physiotherapist can help with. Pain during stimulation or persistent discomfort is always a reason to talk to a doctor or sexologist. Squirting should not be painful.
FAQ
Can every woman squirt?
We don't know for certain. Some women appear physiologically more able to. The absence of squirting says nothing about the quality of your sex life or your orgasms.
Is squirting the same as an orgasm?
No. Squirting can happen with an orgasm, before, after, or without one entirely. They are separate processes.
Should I pee beforehand just in case?
It can help you relax mentally, but it doesn't fully "empty" the squirting mechanism — the bladder refills during arousal (Salama et al., 2015).
Which toy is good for exploring?
A G-spot-focused vibrator with a curved tip, like the ODES Hush, makes it easier to reach and stimulate the front vaginal wall.
Conclusion
Squirting is not a mystery and not a performance — it's a normal, scientifically explainable variant of female sexuality. The fluid comes partly from the bladder, partly from the Skene's glands, and the volume and frequency vary enormously from person to person. Whether or not you experience it: it says nothing about how "good" your sex life is.
The single most important insight from the research: relaxation and arousal do more than technique or pressure. Explore with curiosity, without a goal. Want to get to know the G-spot area more consciously? Check out the ODES Hush G-Spot vibrator or our full collection for her.
Sources:
1. Salama, S., et al. (2015). Nature and Origin of "Squirting" in Female Sexuality. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 12(3), 661-666.
2. Wimpissinger, F., et al. (2007). The female prostate revisited: perineal ultrasound and biochemical studies of female ejaculate. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 4(5), 1388-1393.
3. Wimpissinger, F., et al. (2013). International online survey: female ejaculation has a positive impact on women's and their partners' sexual lives. BJU International, 112(2), 177-185.
4. Wess, J., et al. (2024). Women's experiences of female ejaculation and/or squirting: a Swedish cross-sectional study. (PMC11596687).
