What Is Squirting?

And what’s up with our fascination?

“Can you squirt?” pops up on my Chaturbate chat room more often than I can count. It’s the unicorn of sexual phenomena. I always laugh and shake my head; it’s always been as foreign to me as it is to my viewer (that is, until writing this article). On the front page of the popular cam site are previews of rooms with women “gushing” or “squirting.” These women proudly mention the skill in their room titles, as it’s their specialty; it’s what gets people to peep inside. Never the squirter, I have always been curious about the phenomenon, which gained increasing popularity in 2013 and has since soared to one of the consistently most popular searches on Pornhub.

Further, the science behind squirting has long been debated—is it a unique liquid or is it just pee?

First, is squirting a myth?

In the documentary series, “Hot Girls Wanted: Turned On,” we see Bailey Rayne, an adult entertainment entrepreneur in the episode, “Owning It,” help a cam girl chug water before a solo masturbation scene. Eventually, the cam girl squirts. The cue-squirt scene is entirely made up of urine, a result of hydrating herself to ultimate exhaustion.

Only 18 percent of people with a vagina have a real orgasm on camera, meaning that squirting scenes aren’t generally the result of authentic satisfaction. However, this does not mean that squirting is a myth. The experience is real, and the porn industry has found a way to scout genuine squirters for viewers to watch. In real life, Emily* (a friend of mine) explained to me that during a sexual encounter, she simply “pushed” when she felt like she was going to have an orgasm. “It literally shot out across the room,” she continued, “I’ve never done that before.”

So, what exactly is squirting?

Where squirting gets a bit cloudy (pun intended) is that there are two different forms of ejaculation. Let’s break down the three terms used to describe the fluid(s) released from the vagina during orgasm:

• Ejaculation: a milky fluid released from the Skene’s glands.

• Squirting: diluted urine that comes from the bladder and urethra.

• Gushing: a large amount of clear fluid from the bladder.

The first type of ejaculation from the vagina is a small amount of white fluid that comes from the Skene’s glands, the glandular tissue found in the urethral sponge, and exits through the urethra. While this fluid does not contain sperm, it is visually similar to ejaculate from the penis. It may not have a role in reproduction, however, Sharon Moalem, MD, PhD and Joy S. Reidenberg, PhD believe that female ejaculation does serve a purpose. Their hypothesis is that the fluid is antimicrobial and can protect against UTIs. This concept is still up for debate and requires further research.

The second type of fluid is referred to as “squirting” or “gushing.” It is more watery than its counterpart and expels from the vagina in larger volumes. A 2015 study of seven women concluded that “squirting is essentially the involuntary emission of urine during sexual activity.” The results showed that the women’s bladders were emptied post-release, and a biochemical analysis revealed the fluid was primarily urine with traces of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in five out of seven samples. So, while many people use the terms squirting/gushing and ejaculation interchangeably, there are actually two different types of fluid that can leave the body during the female climax.

Why can some people squirt and others can’t?

Interestingly, women are 44% more likely to search for squirting videos than men. For those with a vagina, perhaps our fascination lies in exploring the capabilities of our bodies. While squirting doesn’t happen for everyone, it does happen for some, as described. According to Invitra, an international community of specialists for fertility treatment, approximately 60 percent of women say that have been able to ejaculate at least once in their lives. Conclusive evidence beyond these self-reported statistics has yet to be revealed.

Two possible assumptions for why some female-bodied individuals cannot ejaculate include the following:

1. Some people with a vagina have small Skene’s glands (or they might be hidden and cannot be seen under visual examination).

2. People hold back due to fear of urination.

Since studies on the subject are so elusive, and there are two different forms of fluid to account for, we still can’t accurately explain squirting in the everyday sexual experience.

One thing is certain: the fluid frenzy doesn’t seem to be fading away anytime soon. Research is increasing and the public’s interest is piqued. As we know, all bodies are created differently; no two are the same. Thus, in the world of science and in porn search bars near and far, the quest carries on for the reason people with vaginas ejaculate. In fact, if you listen closely, you might hear someone typing “s-q-u-i-r-t-i-n-g” right now.

*name has been changed.

Header image edited by Marcy Gooberman

Must be looooooove on the braaaaain 🧠. Or was that s£x? 👀🤭 Our brains are our largest s£x organs and sometimes they get a little sad, hyperactive, anxious, or overwhelmed. You won’t always be in the mood for s£x and that’s okay! Keep communication with your partner open and ongoing, check in with yourself and your mental health, and lean on the support of a trusted therapist or doctor if you need some extra guidance. 🫶🏽 Anything you would add?

I mean 😏

It is not wrong nor should it feel shameful to ✨seek pleasure.✨ I think those of us who grew up more religious were taught that you should always be in service of others and giving of yourself rather than concerned with our own needs or passions. While it is wonderful to be generous with giving (and can in fact be a source of pleasure), it should be equally encouraged to pursue your own pleasure — it whatever form it may take! It may feel self-indulgent, but why is that a bad thing? Pleasure boosts our mental health. It helps us cope with a difficult world, with anxiety, depression, and stress. It makes us feel good! It gives us something to look forward to. Pleasure helps us connect with others and with ourselves. Pleasure (as long as it is not at the expense of someone else’s safety or well-being) should be a priority, for our joy and for our health. It really is so important! Where do you find pleasure? I personally love a good massage… 💆🏽‍♀️

It’s time for a talk, friend. Let’s be clear, you nor your partner ever has to do *anything* you’re not comfortable with. That said, if it’s something you enjoy and that’s pleasurable to you, it’s okay to ask your partner for it! They can say no, but if they invalidate your pleasure, much less expect you to do something they won’t do?? The ball is then in your court to decide if this is the partner for you. You deserve someone who cares about and prioritizes your pleasure. Who is thrilled to be acquainted with your body, all of it! S-x can be vulnerable to talk about, but when you do…it’s so much better. 👅 included. Ask your partner what their hesitations are and have a *conversation.* Maybe they’re nervous, intimidated, or struggling with shame. Maybe they’re down to try other things you would enjoy and build up to it. The point is, it shouldn’t just be automatically dismissed. You can decide what’s right for you and what makes you feel aroused, validated, and appreciated. Whatever you do, don’t internalize their rejection. Your body is beautiful, desirable, and definitely worthy of pleasure. 😋🥰

A UK study published in the International Urogynecology Journal found that only 46% of participants correctly identified that a female has 3 holes in the external genitalia. 😬 Not great. We’re taught so desperately little about our bodies and so discouraged from exploring them that we don’t even know what we’ve got going on down there! Understanding your own anatomy (and getting educated on your partner’s anatomy) can boost pleasure 1000x!! So take a mirror, use your hands, and get comfy exploring! 🪞🕵🏽‍♀️ And if you really want to get informed (and inspired 😉), head to our website for our basics on pleasure and anatomy. What do you think? Could YOU correctly label a diagram of what lies beneath?

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