What is Squirting?

Author of "All The F*cking Mistakes: A Guide to Sex, Love, and Life," certified sex therapist Minnie Ernest, says that "squirting refers to the expulsion of fluid from folks with vulvas during sex."

The fluid is secreted by the Skene's glands, located near the base of the urethra. It is not urine per se; rather, it is a mixture of urea, uric acid, and creatinine.

Although "squirting" and "female ejaculate" are commonly used synonymously, Dr. Jane McHewitt, PhD, resident sexologist at CalExotics, points out that some people claim that the two actions are not the same.

According to Ernest, "G-spot stimulation, or clitoral and G-spot dual stimulation," is typically the cause of squirts.

She clarifies: The urethral sponge, G-spot, and Skene's glands are all situated in essentially the same region of the body.

"Generally speaking, you probably stimulate them all if you stimulate one." Furthermore, if you activate the Skene's glands? People with vulvas occasionally squirt!

Other names for squirting

Squirting is known by many other names, including several slang terms like:

gushing
tsunami of love
jizzing
squirting orgasm
Squirting is also often referred to as “female ejaculation,” though not everyone with a vulva is female.

Additionally, though the terms are used interchangeably, some research suggests that the mechanisms involved in ejaculation and squirting are actually completely different.

What does it feel like? 

That’s like asking what an orgasm or sex feels like: Everyone will have a slightly different answer.

According to Ernest, “Some people say it feels nothing like an orgasm. While others note that it feels [similar], but slightly different from, an orgasm.”

“It’s intense. Like an extreme release. For me, I orgasm and then if my husband keeps touching my G-spot, then I squirt. It’s not really a similar sensation for me,” says Abby K., 42.

“Due to the pressure on the urethra, some people report feeling like they need to pee right before they squirt,” says Ernest.

That’s the case for Joannie N., 29. “Right before it happens, I literally feel like I’m going to wet the bed. While it’s happening it feels like a really wet orgasm,” she says.

For some trans and nonbinary folks, squirting can be really gender-affirming. It is for Hunter C., 23, a transgender man who says, “Squirting feels to me what I imagine jizzing would feel like if I had a penis.”

Can everyone do it?

“This is a highly contentious question,” says McHewitt.

Why? Because the studies on squirting — and there’s been a relatively fair amount considering how understudied the bodies of folks with vulvas and sex usually are — have conflicting results.

Scientifically speaking, Ernest says it appears that anybody with a vulva has the “mechanics” required to squirt.

“But that doesn’t mean every person with a vulva can or will or does,” she says. Estimates suggest anywhere between 10 and 50 percent of folks with vulvas do.

McHewitt makes an important point: Being able to squirt isn’t “better” than not having the ability.

Myths about squirting

There are several common myths and misconceptions about squirting, including the belief that squirting is not even real.

However, though more research is needed to understand exactly how and why it happens, there is plenty of evidence to support the existence of squirting.

Another common myth is that anyone with a vulva can squirt. While there are several methods and sexual positions that may be beneficial, it’s estimated that only around 10-50 percent of folks with a vulva are able to squirt.

Some people also believe that the fluid expelled while squirting is nothing more than pee.

Interestingly, one study conducted in 2015 found that the fluid emitted during squirting does contain urine, but it also contains a compound called prostatic-specific antigen produced by the Skene’s glands, which are known as the female prostate.

What are the basics?

Squirting typically comes (wink) down to either G-spot stimulation or G-spot stimulation combined with clitoral stimulation.

To make cleanup as easy as possible, start by prepping your surroundings. Lay a few towels down or a waterproof throw on the bed. You can find waterproof throws online.

Another option: Get it on in the bathtub.

“When I masturbate and plan to stimulate my G-spot, I get in the tub so I don’t have to worry about getting everything wet,” says Christine B., 31. Makes sense!

How much fluid you expel varies person to person. Some folks release a teaspoon amount. Others gush. Might as well prep for a super-soaker.

Next, set the mood.

Light candles, put on whatever’s on your Sexy Time playlist, put your phone on airplane mode, and place the lube and toys within reach.

Finally, when you’re good and turned on, it’s time to give your G-spot and clit some love.

How to find the G-spot

“The G-spot is located a few inches inside the front vaginal wall,” says McHewitt. If you’re looking for it with your fingers, feel for something slightly spongier.

Are some positions better than others?

If you’re looking to explore squirting during partnered sex, any sex act or position that stimulates your G-spot and clit at the same time can work. Below, three to try.

Doggy style

If your partner has a penis or dildo, doggy style provides the perfect angle for them to reach the front vaginal wall where the G-spot is.

To give this a try:

Get on all fours with the penetrating partner positioned on their knees from behind.
Have your partner stroke shallowly.
Experiment with widening your knees and dropping to your forearms to alter the angle of penetration.
Reach your hand between your legs to play with your clit. Or have your partner hold a vibrator against you.
Manual missionary
“Manual stimulation is more likely to make someone squirt than penis-in-vagina or dildo-in-vagina intercourse,” according to Ernest.

Her recommendation: Have the receiving partner touch their own clit. Or, have the giving partner perform cunnilingus as they finger you.

To give this a try:

Lie on your back.
Have your partner position themselves between your legs, using a finger (or three!) to enter you.
Have them curl their fingers up toward your belly button and move them in a “come hither” motion, experimenting with different amounts of pleasure.
Touch your clitoris with your fingers or a vibrator. Or have your partner perform oral.
Toy play
Both experts say that the non vibrating Pure Wand — which can be used with a partner or by yourself — is particularly well-suited for G-spot play.

To give this a try:

Lie on your back.
Using lube, insert the toy and rock it against your front vaginal wall.
Have your partner touch your clit with their mouth, fingers, or clitoral vibrator.

What if you’re trying to make yourself squirt?

You don’t need a partner to squirt. “If you’re someone who squirts, you can definitely make yourself squirt during masturbation,” confirms Ernest.

Relax

Do what you need to do to switch off your work or family brain.

According to Ernest, “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.”

Explore your erogenous zones

You can’t go from go-to-O even in your solo sex life!

Warm-up by touching your neck, ears, inner thigh, lower stomach, and nipples with your fingers, a vibrator, or a sensation toy like the Wartenberg wheel or feather teaser.

Find a Wartenberg wheel and feather teaser online.

Rub your nub

“Use whatever stimulation you usually use to get revved up, then touch your clit,” says Ernest.

You might opt for a clit stimulation toy. She recommends a clit suction toy like the Womanizer, which uses pleasure air technology to simulate oral sex. Find it online.

Locate your G-spot

When you're aroused, the G-spot becomes more noticeable, so wait until you're very turned on to locate it.

Ernest says, "While touching your clitoris, locate your G-spot and massage it with a wand or your fingers."

Online, you can find sex devices that simultaneously clit and stimulate your G-spot:

The G-spot can be gratifying in different ways for different people, just like other erogenous zones.

Thus, don't worry if you experience nothing or find the feeling bothersome! Nothing is wrong with you.

Keep going

Some people will feel compelled to urinate before squirting. Should you have such feelings, it could indicate that squirting is imminent.

Don't stop because you feel like you have to urinate; stop when you're done.

Practice, exercise, exercise

Practice makes perfect, as the saying goes. Just kidding!

Really though, whether you squirt or not, just keep exploring your body in an unrestricted way.

What if your goal is to elicit a squirt from your partner?

Most importantly, don't make your partner feel "less than" or under pressure to squirt if they are unable or want not to.

Also, don’t assume penetrative sex is the best way to make it happen. It’s not, according to Ernest.

Once you’re in the right mindset, follow these steps:

Help them relax.
Engage in a ton of foreplay.
Stimulate their clit with your mouth, fingers, or a toy.
As you stroke their clit, find their G-spot with your fingers.
Apply some pressure to their lower belly with your other hand. This may help them squirt more easily.
Continue until they ask you to stop.

PSA: Any sexually transmitted infection (STI) that’s transmitted through bodily fluid can be transmitted through the fluid released by squirting. This includes:

chlamydia
gonorrhea
herpes
HIV
HPV
trichomoniasis
hepatitis B

Wear an internal or external condom for vaginal or anal penetrative intercourse, a dental dam if oral stimulation is involved, or a glove or finger condom during manual genital stimulation as protection.

Nothing taking place? It's not you, so don't worry!

Sometimes you try for a long time and experience it for the first time in your 60s, and sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't.

Ernest asserts, "There's nothing wrong with not being able to squirt." "However you experience pleasure is perfectly valid and should be celebrated, regardless of whether you squirt or not."

What do you do after that? Simply stop?

No way! Unless you and your companion decide to stop playing and go get some pizza or whatever, there's no need to stop.
There are L-O-T-S of other things you can do if you’re still in the mood.

The bottom line

Exploring whether you squirt can be a fun way to learn more about your body.

Squirting is just one of the (many, many, many) sexy things some bodies do. So if you don’t or haven’t, no big!

Danielle Hassel is a L.A.–based sex and wellness writer and CrossFit Level 1 Trainer. She’s become a morning person, tested over 200 vibrators, and eaten, drunk, and brushed with charcoal — all in the name of journalism. In her free time, she can be found reading self-help books and romance novels, bench-pressing, or pole dancing.