Happy Endings: Here’s Exactly What Causes Women To ‘Squirt’ During Orgasm

Female ejaculation might not get all the press that male ejaculation does, but it’s still a very real – and enjoyable – part of sex for many women.

The ins-and-outs of “squirting” are not set in stone, and it seems the experience can vary from woman to woman, if it happens at all. But how does it happen, what happens exactly and what causes it? We’ve got the details….

What causes squirting during sex?

Female ejaculation is strongly linked to G-spot simulation, that is, stimulation of the internal area at the front of the vagina. Your G-spot can be stimulated in any number of ways, either through intercourse, foreplay or with a vibrator – but it can take some practice to find your sweet spot. “Since your G-spot may not be accustomed to stimulation, you might have to work on it regularly to feel it begin to open and become sensitised to touch,” explains Dr Laura Berman to Everyday Health.

How much liquid is released?

This can vary hugely from woman to woman, with anything from a capful of liquid to much more being the norm. Speaking to Cosmopolitan, one woman described her experience of ejaculation as “a rush of liquid spilling down my legs” while another woman said it was simply “a tiny bit of fluid shooting out.”

What does it feel like?

Again this can vary from woman to woman, but the general consensus is that it’s a more powerful feeling than a normal orgasm. All in all, the most commonly used word to describe the experience of female ejaculation is “intense,” though of course that’s a tough notion to describe in exact terms. There’s this, from another woman interview by Cosmopolitan: “I could feel myself building to something slowly and steadily rather than in waves, which is how I usually feel when I’m on track for an orgasm. All of a sudden, the feeling intensified through my body and I ejaculated.”

Could it just be pee, though?

While leaking out some urine during sex is not unheard of, it’s believed that female orgasm is something quite different, or at least if the fluid does contain any urine that it is heavily diluted. A French study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine showed that women’s bladders did empty somewhat during squirting, but that the liquid released contained “prostatic secretions” too, unlike with normal urine.

Well, if it’s not pee, where is that liquid coming from?

Many researchers have suggested that the liquid comes from the Skene’s glands, located near the front wall of the vagina around the lower end of the urethra.

Can you learn how to squirt?

If it’s never happened to you before – or it has, but you’re hoping it’ll happen again – there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of G-spot stimulation. First: up the pressure. Unlike with clitoral stimulation, which generally happens through gentle massage, the G-spot requires more intense and repetitive thrusting-style movements. Think doggy style or girl-on-top moves. If it’s still not a goer, try stimulating your G-spot during masturbation, either with your fingers or a vibrator.

I’ve tried everything, and it’s just not working. What am I doing wrong?

For some women, female ejaculation might just not be possible, but to give yourself the best chance you just need to chill the F out. “One thing women can do to increase their odds of success is to relax, and when they feel that sensation [during orgasm] as if they have to pee, to not stop it but let it go — it’s not pee, it’s squirt,” sex researcher Zhana Vrangalova, Ph.D tells Women’s Health.

• female ejaculation
• female orgasm
• squirting