What Is Female Ejaculation? Complete Expert Guide

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What Is Female Ejaculation? Complete Expert Guide

The question “what is female ejaculation?” has intrigued scientists, healthcare providers, and individuals curious about female sexual response for decades. Despite being a natural phenomenon experienced by some women, female ejaculation remains shrouded in misconceptions, confusion with other bodily fluids, and lack of widespread understanding. Female ejaculation refers to the expulsion of fluid from the Skene’s glands (female prostate) during sexual arousal or orgasm, distinct from both vaginal lubrication and the phenomenon known as squirting. Understanding what female ejaculation actually is—its biological origins, composition, prevalence, and variations—helps normalize diverse sexual experiences and reduces anxiety about what’s happening in your body during intimate moments.

Understanding Female Ejaculation: The Scientific Definition

Female ejaculation is the release of a small amount of milky, whitish fluid from the female prostate (also called paraurethral glands and outdated Skene’s glands) during sexual arousal or orgasm. These glands are located on the anterior wall of the vagina, around the lower side of the urethra, and their ducts open into the urethra and near the urethral opening.

The Skene’s glands were named after Alexander Skene, the gynecologist who first described them in detail in 1880. These glands share embryological origins with the male prostate and contain similar tissue, which is why they’re called the female prostate. Like the male prostate, Skene’s glands produce fluid that contains prostatic-specific antigen (PSA), prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), and glucose—compounds also found in male prostatic fluid.

The Biology Behind Female Ejaculation

During sexual arousal and stimulation—particularly of the G-spot area, which lies in proximity to the female prostate—these glands fill with fluid. In some women, continued stimulation and arousal leads to the expulsion of this fluid through the paraurethral ducts and potentially through the urethra. The amount expelled during female ejaculation is typically small, ranging from a few drops to approximately one teaspoon (about 3-5 milliliters).

Research using biochemical analysis has confirmed that female ejaculate is distinct from urine. While it may contain trace amounts of urea and creatinine due to passing through or near the urethra, its primary composition includes PSA, PAP, fructose, and glucose—components characteristic of prostatic-type secretions rather than urine. This biochemical profile distinguishes true female ejaculation from squirting, which involves different mechanisms and fluid composition.

Female Ejaculation vs. Squirting: Understanding the Difference

One of the most common sources of confusion about what is female ejaculation stems from conflating it with squirting—a related but distinct phenomenon. While both involve fluid release during sexual activity, they differ significantly in origin, volume, composition, and mechanism.

Female Ejaculation Characteristics

Female ejaculation involves the Skene’s glands releasing a small quantity of milky fluid. This fluid has a distinct biochemical signature including prostatic markers. The release typically occurs during or just before orgasm, though it can happen with intense arousal even without orgasm. Many women who experience female ejaculation don’t even notice it because the small amount often mixes with other fluids present during sexual activity—vaginal lubrication, arousal fluid, or cervical mucus.

Squirting Characteristics

Squirting, conversely, involves the release of a much larger volume of fluid—ranging from tablespoons to potentially cups in some cases. Research using ultrasound imaging before and after squirting episodes has revealed that the fluid originates primarily from the bladder, which fills rapidly during intense sexual arousal even if the woman urinated immediately beforehand. The fluid is released through the urethra and has a composition much closer to very diluted urine, though it’s often clearer and less concentrated than regular urine.

The mechanism for squirting appears to involve intense stimulation—often of the G-spot area—combined with bearing down or relaxing pelvic floor muscles in ways that allow fluid to be expelled from the bladder through the urethra during sexual arousal. Some researchers suggest this fluid may be produced by the kidneys at an accelerated rate during intense arousal, filling the bladder rapidly.

Can Both Occur Together?

Yes, some women may experience both female ejaculation and squirting simultaneously or in close succession. The Skene’s glands may release their prostatic-like fluid while separately, fluid from the bladder is expelled. This combination can make it difficult for individuals to distinguish which phenomenon they’re experiencing, especially since both involve fluid release through or near the urethra during sexual arousal.

How Common Is Female Ejaculation?

Determining exactly how common female ejaculation is proves challenging due to varying definitions in research, cultural taboos that make women hesitant to report it, and the fact that small amounts may go unnoticed. Different studies report widely varying prevalence rates, generally ranging from 10% to 40% of women reporting having experienced it.

Several factors contribute to this wide range in reported prevalence. Many women who experience female ejaculation don’t realize it’s happening because the small amount of fluid mixes with vaginal lubrication and other fluids present during sexual activity. Cultural shame or embarrassment about any fluid release during sex may prevent women from acknowledging or reporting the experience. Survey methodology differences—including how researchers define and describe female ejaculation—significantly affect reported rates.

Additionally, not all women who are physiologically capable of female ejaculation necessarily experience it regularly or at all. Just as orgasm capacity exists on a spectrum with some women orgasming easily and others rarely or never, female ejaculation capacity varies. Some women ejaculate with every orgasm, others only under specific circumstances or types of stimulation, and many never experience it regardless of arousal intensity or orgasm quality.

Importantly, the absence of female ejaculation indicates nothing about sexual function, pleasure capacity, or relationship quality. Women who don’t ejaculate enjoy completely fulfilling sexual lives and experience intense pleasure and satisfaction. Female ejaculation represents one possible variation in sexual response—not a requirement for “complete” or “proper” sexual experience.

Research suggests that women may be more likely to experience female ejaculation with G-spot stimulation, though this isn’t universal. The G-spot area’s proximity to the Skene’s glands means that stimulation of this region may more directly activate these glands, potentially leading to fluid production and release.

What Causes Female Ejaculation?

Understanding what triggers female ejaculation helps demystify the experience and provides context for why some women experience it while others don’t. Female ejaculation results from a combination of anatomical, physiological, and stimulation-related factors.

Anatomical variation plays a significant role. Women have varying sizes and development of Skene’s glands, with some having more prominent glands that produce more fluid. The exact location and duct configuration also varies, which may affect whether fluid produced by the glands is released externally or drains internally. These anatomical differences are completely normal variations, not deficiencies or abnormalities.

Sexual arousal and stimulation intensity matters significantly. The Skene’s glands fill with fluid during arousal, and more intense or prolonged arousal allows more fluid accumulation. Specific types of stimulation—particularly firm, consistent G-spot stimulation—appear more likely to trigger ejaculation, though this varies individually. Some women find that clitoral stimulation alone can lead to ejaculation, while others require combined stimulation.

Muscular control and relaxation influences whether accumulated fluid is released. Some sexual health educators suggest that learning to “bear down” slightly at the point of orgasm—similar to bearing down during urination but with more control—can facilitate ejaculation. Conversely, women who habitually tighten their pelvic floor muscles during arousal may inadvertently prevent fluid release even if their glands produce it.

Learning and awareness can increase the likelihood of experiencing female ejaculation. Women who become aware of the sensation associated with Skene’s gland filling—sometimes described as needing to urinate—and learn to relax into that sensation rather than tensing against it may be more likely to experience ejaculation. The pleasure wands collection offers tools designed for comfortable G-spot exploration that some women find helpful for understanding their body’s responses.

The Composition and Characteristics of Female Ejaculate

Understanding what female ejaculate actually contains helps distinguish it from urine and validates it as a distinct bodily fluid with its own characteristics and purpose.

Biochemical composition studies have identified several key components in female ejaculate:

• Prostatic-Specific Antigen (PSA): This protein, also found in male prostatic fluid, appears in female ejaculate in measurable quantities
  
• Prostatic Acid Phosphatase (PAP): Another enzyme associated with prostatic tissue present in the fluid
  
• Glucose and Fructose: Simple sugars found in the ejaculate
  
• Trace urea and creatinine: Small amounts may be present due to the fluid’s passage through or near the urethra, but in much lower concentrations than urine
  
• Zinc: Present in small amounts, similar to male prostatic fluid
  

Physical characteristics include:

• Color: Typically milky white to slightly translucent
  
• Consistency: Slightly thicker than water, sometimes described as similar to diluted milk
  
• Volume: Small amounts, usually less than a teaspoon
  
• Odor: Mild, distinct from urine odor; sometimes described as slightly sweet or neutral
  

The presence of prostatic markers (PSA and PAP) definitively distinguishes female ejaculate from urine and confirms its origin from the Skene’s glands. While trace amounts of urea and creatinine may be present—likely due to the anatomical proximity of the Skene’s gland ducts to the urethra—the overall composition clearly differs from urine.

Myths and Misconceptions About Female Ejaculation

Despite growing scientific understanding, numerous myths persist about what is female ejaculation, creating confusion and sometimes shame or anxiety for women who experience it or don’t experience it.

Myth: Female ejaculation is just urine. This common misconception stems from the fact that fluid is released through or near the urethra. However, biochemical analysis clearly shows that true female ejaculate has a distinct composition including prostatic markers not found in urine. While squirting (a different phenomenon) does involve primarily bladder-origin fluid, female ejaculation from the Skene’s glands is compositionally distinct from urine.

Myth: All women can ejaculate if properly stimulated. While many women have Skene’s glands, not all women ejaculate even with intense arousal and optimal stimulation. Anatomical variation, individual physiology, and other factors mean that female ejaculation isn’t universal. This doesn’t indicate dysfunction or inadequate stimulation—it simply represents normal human variation.

Myth: Female ejaculation indicates a superior orgasm. Orgasm intensity and pleasure don’t correlate with whether ejaculation occurs. Women who don’t ejaculate can experience profoundly intense, satisfying orgasms, while some women who do ejaculate report that their “ejaculatory orgasms” feel no different than non-ejaculatory ones. Ejaculation and orgasm are separate physiological responses that sometimes coincide but don’t determine each other’s quality.

Myth: Female ejaculation is a new discovery. Historical texts from various cultures reference female ejaculation, including ancient Indian texts (Kama Sutra mentions female “semen”), classical Greek writings, and traditional Chinese medicine. The phenomenon has been observed for millennia, though scientific understanding has developed more recently.

Myth: You should try to learn to ejaculate. While understanding your body is valuable, there’s no reason to pursue female ejaculation as a goal. Sexual experiences are diverse, and what matters most is pleasure, connection, and satisfaction—not achieving specific physiological responses. Pressuring yourself or partners to “perform” female ejaculation can create anxiety that actually detracts from sexual enjoyment.

Health Considerations and When to Consult a Doctor

While female ejaculation is a normal physiological response, certain situations warrant medical consultation to ensure optimal health and address concerns.

Sudden changes in fluid release during sexual activity—particularly if accompanied by pain, burning, unusual odor, or discoloration—may indicate infection or other medical conditions. If you’ve never experienced fluid release and suddenly begin expelling significant amounts of fluid, or if you’ve regularly experienced ejaculation and it suddenly stops, discussing these changes with a healthcare provider provides reassurance or identifies issues requiring treatment.

Discomfort or pain associated with fluid release deserves attention. Female ejaculation shouldn’t be painful. If you experience pain during stimulation of the G-spot area, pain during fluid release, or persistent discomfort afterward, consult a gynecologist or pelvic floor specialist who can assess for conditions like pelvic floor tension, interstitial cystitis, or other issues.

Urinary symptoms that accompany or follow sexual activity may need evaluation. While some fluid release during sex is normal, if you’re experiencing true urinary incontinence (involuntary urine loss) during sexual activity, this represents a different issue—often stress incontinence or pelvic floor weakness—that can be effectively treated with pelvic floor physical therapy or other interventions.

Emotional distress about fluid release, whether it’s causing relationship problems, creating significant anxiety, or affecting your sexual expression, represents a valid reason to seek support. A sex therapist or counselor specializing in sexual health can help you process feelings, improve communication with partners, and develop comfort with your body’s responses. Resources like quality products from Onna Lifestyle can support comfortable exploration of your body in private, helping you understand your responses without pressure.

Excessive fluid loss causing dehydration or other practical concerns should be discussed with a healthcare provider. While female ejaculation itself involves small amounts that wouldn’t cause dehydration, if you’re experiencing squirting that involves large fluid volumes frequently, ensuring adequate hydration and understanding the physiological mechanism provides peace of mind.

Exploring Female Ejaculation Safely and Comfortably

For women curious about whether they can experience female ejaculation or interested in exploring their body’s capabilities, approaching the experience with patience, proper tools, and realistic expectations creates the best foundation.

Create a comfortable, pressure-free environment where you can explore without time constraints or performance anxiety. Female ejaculation—like most sexual responses—is more likely to occur when you’re relaxed, aroused, and not focused on achieving a specific outcome. Paradoxically, making ejaculation a goal often prevents it from happening naturally.

Understand G-spot anatomy and stimulation. The G-spot (also called the urethral sponge) is located on the anterior (front) wall of the vagina, about 2-3 inches inside the vaginal opening. It feels slightly rougher or more textured than surrounding tissue. Firm, consistent pressure or rhythmic stroking often feels pleasurable in this area. The glass toys collection includes curved options designed to reach this area comfortably.

Recognize the sensation that precedes ejaculation. Many women report that immediately before ejaculation, they feel a sensation similar to needing to urinate. This is the Skene’s glands filling with fluid pressing against the urethra. Learning to relax into this sensation rather than tensing against it (as we’re conditioned to do when feeling the urge to urinate) may facilitate ejaculation. Some experts suggest bearing down gently at this point, similar to the beginning of urination, to help release the fluid.

Use adequate lubrication to make exploration comfortable. Even if you produce natural lubrication, additional lubricant reduces friction and allows you to focus on sensations and responses rather than discomfort. Water-based lubricants work with all toy materials and are easy to clean.

Manage practical concerns by using towels or waterproof blankets if you’re concerned about fluid release on sheets or mattresses. This practical preparation removes one potential source of anxiety, allowing you to relax more fully into the experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

So, what is female ejaculation? It’s the release of a small amount of milky fluid from the Skene’s glands during sexual arousal or orgasm—a normal physiological response experienced by some but not all women. Female ejaculation differs from both vaginal lubrication and squirting, with its own distinct origin, composition, and characteristics. Whether you experience female ejaculation or not says nothing about your sexual function, pleasure capacity, or relationship quality. Understanding your body’s unique responses—including whether you ejaculate—helps you develop the self-knowledge that enhances sexual satisfaction and reduces unnecessary anxiety about what’s “normal.” If you’re curious about exploring your body’s capabilities, quality products from Onna Lifestyle provide safe, comfortable tools for self-discovery, though remember that sexual pleasure and fulfillment come in many forms, with or without ejaculation. Embrace your body’s individual expression of sexuality and seek professional guidance if you have concerns about any aspect of your sexual health.

References

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Pastor, Z., & Chmel, R. (2018). Differential diagnostics of female “sexual” fluids: A narrative review. International Urogynecology Journal, 29(5), 621-629. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-017-3527-9

Rubio-Casillas, A., & Jannini, E. A. (2011). New insights from one case of female ejaculation. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 8(12), 3500-3504. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02472.x

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

Wimpissinger, F., Stifter, K., Grin, W., & Stackl, W. (2007). The female prostate revisited: Perineal ultrasound and biochemical studies of female ejaculate. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 4(5), 1388-1393. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2007.00542.x

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