Discovering the Science About Female Ejaculation and Squirting

Female ejaculation and squirting involve the emission of fluids during sexual arousal or orgasm, distinct from vaginal lubrication. Despite extensive research, there remains some debate about the exact definition, origin, and composition of these fluids.

Definitions and Distinctions

In 2011, a new perspective emerged, suggesting female ejaculation and squirting should be considered two different events [Rubio-Casillas & Jannini, 2011]. This understanding was based on a single study where a participant expelled two types of fluids:

  • A clear, abundant fluid: Biochemically similar, but not identical, to urine, believed to be expelled from the bladder.
  • A thicker, whitish fluid: thought to be expelled from the paraurethral glands, or by some believed to be expelled by the “female prostate”.

A 2015 study confirmed that squirting fluid contains biochemical markers similar to urine, with components like urea, creatinine, and uric acid, as well as traces of prostatic-specific antigen [Salama et al., 2015]. The study didn't investigate whether the fluids contained fructose, a marker that can differentiate ejaculation from urine [Zaviacic et al., 1988].

Prevalence and Discovery

Contrary to the common rumor that squirting is rare, a recent U.S. study found that 41% of women reported experiencing it [Hensel et al., 2023]. This rate is similar to earlier studies in the U.S., Canada, and Egypt [Darling et al., 1990; Younis et al., 2015]. Women with female partners were more likely to report squirting.

The first discovery of squirting often happens unintentionally for many women, sometimes when together with a new partner [Påfs, 2021]. However, there has been limited research into first-time reactions and whether women desire this to happen.

Sources of Information

A 1990 study found that traditional printed materials (books, journals, and magazines) were primary sources of information about female ejaculation and squirting [Darling et al., 1990]. More recently, pornography has been cited as a significant source, though this hasn't been quantified in recent research.

Techniques and Stimulation

Techniques for inducing female ejaculation or squirting vary [Hensel et al., 2023]:

  • A combination of vaginal and clitoral stimulation is often most effective.
  • Clitoral stimulation alone is sufficient for some women.

This challenges the earlier notion that a “G-spot” stimulation is necessary. The term "G-spot" is somewhat misleading, as stimulation affects multiple tissues, such as the clitoral crura, urethral surroundings, and the anterior vaginal wall. More recent terms include the "G-zone," clitoral complex, or clitourethrovaginal (CUV) complex [Goldstein et al., 2022; O’Connell et al., 2008; Tomalty et al., 2022; Whipple & Perry, 2002].

Emotional and Physical Responses

Recent studies suggest that squirting does not necessarily coincide with orgasm [Cutillas-Blasco et al., 2024; Gilliland, 2009; Hensel et al., 2023; Påfs, 2021], although earlier studies equated the event with orgasm [Bullough et al., 1984; Darling et al., 1990; Wimpissinger et al., 2013]. Few scientific studies have explored women's experiences with squirting [Bullough et al., 1984; Cutillas-Blasco et al., 2024; Darling et al., 1990; Gilliland, 2009; Hensel et al., 2023; Påfs, 2021; Wimpissinger et al., 2013].

In a 2013 international study, squirting was found to enhance the sex lives of most women and their partners [Wimpissinger et al., 2013]. Qualitative studies indicate that women experience a range of emotions, from amazement and pride to shame, often worrying about fluid volume or whether it might contain urine [Cutillas-Blasco et al., 2024; Gilliland, 2009; Påfs, 2021].

Knowledge Gaps

The topic of female ejaculation and squirting is still under-researched and misunderstood, necessitating further investigation to provide a comprehensive understanding.

References

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Belzer, E. G., Whipple, B., & Moger, W. (1984). On female ejaculation. The Journal of Sex Research, 20(4), 403–406. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224498409551236

Bullough, B., David, M., Whipple, B., Dixon, J., Allgeier, E. R., & Drury, K. C. (1984). Subjective reports of female orgasmic expulsion of fluid. In Nurse Practitioner (Vol. 9, Issue 3, pp. 55–59). https://doi.org/10.1097/00006205-198403000-00009

Cutillas-Blasco, S., Ruiz-Gonzalez, C., Rueda-Ruzafa, L., Ropero-Padilla, C., Roman, P., & Rodriguez-Arrastia, M. (2024). Experiences of young women in the practice of squirting : a descriptive qualitative study. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 00, 1–9.

Darling, C. A., Davidson, J. K., & Conway-Welch, C. (1990). Female ejaculation: Perceived origins, the Grafenberg spot/area, and sexual responsiveness. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 19(1), 29–47. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01541824

Darling, C. A., Davidson, J. K., & Jennings, D. A. (1991). The female sexual response revisited: Understanding the multiorgasmic experience in women. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 20(6), 527–540. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01550952

Gilliland, A. L. (2009). Women’s experiences of female ejaculation. Sexuality and Culture, 13(3), 121–134. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-009-9049-y

Goldstein, I., Goldstein, S. W., & Komisaruk, B. R. (2022). Should We Call it (G-Spot) a G-Zone? Sexual Medicine Reviews, 10(2), 181–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sxmr.2022.03.001

Hensel, D. J., von Hippel, C. D., Lapage, C. C., & Perkins, R. H. (2023). Vaginal Squirting: Experiences, Discoveries, and Strategies in a U.S. Probability Sample of Women Ages 18-93. Journal of Sex Research, 00(00), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2023.2243939

Påfs, J. (2021). A sexual superpower or a shame? Women’s diverging experiences of squirting/female ejaculation in Sweden. Sexualities. https://doi.org/10.1177/13634607211041095

Salama, S., Boitrelle, F., Gauquelin, A., Malagrida, L., Thiounn, N., & Desvaux, P. (2015). Nature and origin of “Squirting” in female sexuality. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 12(3), 661–666. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12799

Tomalty, D., Giovannetti, O., Hannan, J., Komisaruk, B., Goldstein, S., Goldstein, I., & Adams, M. (2022). Should We Call It a Prostate? A Review of the Female Periurethral Glandular Tissue Morphology, Histochemistry, Nomenclature, and Role in Iatrogenic Sexual Dysfunction. Sexual Medicine Reviews, 10(2), 183–194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sxmr.2021.12.002

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Wimpissinger, F., Springer, C., & Stackl, W. (2013). International online survey: Female ejaculation has a positive impact on women’s and their partners’ sexual lives. BJU International, 112(2), 177–185. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-410X.2012.11562.x

Zaviacic, M., Dolezalova, S., Holoman, I. K., Alexandra, A., Zaviacicova, Z., Mikulecky, M., & Brazdil, V. (1988). Concentrations of fructose in female ejaculate and urine: A comparative biochemical study. The Journal of Sex Research, 24(1), 319–325. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224498809551431