What Percentage of Women Squirt? [2023 Squirting Facts & Stats]

If you ever wondered how common is squirting and can all women squirt, then you’ve come to the right place. We share all squirting facts & statistics here.

Squirting has been a topic of constant debate, speculation, and study in recent years. Many claim it’s a myth, some think it’s pee, and others think it’s sexy. But, as with anything that isn’t seen as “normal,” squirting can also come with feelings of shame or embarrassment for those who aren’t expecting it.

In this article, we’ve gathered all the data on what percentage of women squirt, how often they squirt, whether or not it’s something that can be practiced or learned, and a whole lot more.

Top Squirting Statistics You Should Know:

  • G-spot stimulation is the most popular recommendation for squirting.
  • 78.8% of women and 90.0% of their partners said that squirting enhanced their sex lives.
  • The fluid released when squirting is a mixture of urea, creatinine, uric acid, and prostatic-specific antigen (PSA)
  • 19% of women who squirt said it happens nearly every time they have a sexual encounter.
  • Squirting and female ejaculation are two different things that “can happen independently of one another or at the same time.”
  • Between 10% and 54% of women say they have experienced some form of female ejaculation.

What Is Squirting?

Squirting can be a surprising experience, especially the first time it happens. It leaves many wondering, “Was that normal?” or even “Did I just pee?”. Moreover, this experience can be scary, even embarrassing, if it’s not expected. So what exactly happens when someone squirts?

  • Squirting is generally considered the release of some fluid during or just before orgasm.
    • (The FEMEDIC, 2018)1
  • Squirting can be defined as the “orgasmic transurethral expulsion” of a form of urine containing various concentrations of urea, creatinine, and uric acid.
    • (Web of Science and Ovid (MEDLINE), 2018)2

What Causes Squirting?

It may seem obvious, but squirting normally happens during sex. However, it doesn’t always happen when a woman has an orgasm:

  • Squirting is a result of sexual stimulation. Women have reported squirting for a variety of reasons, such as:
    • Vaginal stimulation (often around the so-called G-spot area).
    • Clitoral stimulation.
    • And even anal stimulation.
    • (Zhana Vrangola, PhD, 2020)3
  • Some say the G-spot is the key to squirting:
    • “When sexually aroused, the G-spot fills with blood and appears to be swollen. Some women can have an orgasm if the G-spot is properly stimulated, and for some, this can trigger female ejaculation.”
    • (Sherry Ross, MD, 2016)4

What Happens When a Woman Squirts?

The reports of how squirting feels can vary significantly depending on the person experiencing it:

  • Some say it doesn’t feel any different than a normal orgasm that occurs without ejaculation.
    •  Some describe squirting as a “rising warmth and tremor” between their thighs.
    • (Healthline, 2018)5
  • Some women report the discharge of a noticeable amount of fluid from the urethra when they squirt.
    • (Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2015)6
  • People who squirt often report producing a relatively large volume of fluid.
  • 78.8% of women and 90.0% of their partners said that squirting enhanced their sex lives.
    • (Sexual Medicine, 2013)7
  • 29.1% of women report volumes of around 2 oz, and 83.1% said the fluid is clear as water when they squirt.
    • (Sexual Medicine, 2013)7

It seems that most enjoy it when it happens – especially the ‘squirters’ partners! But what exactly is coming out when someone squirts?


What Is the “Fluid” Released?

This topic is a common source of debate. Everyone seems to have an opinion on what exactly is happening when someone squirts, but here’s what studies have shown the fluid really is. 

  • The fluid released when squirting is a mixture of urea, creatinine, uric acid, and prostatic-specific antigen (PSA)
    • (The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2015)8
  • When researchers looked at the chemical makeup of the liquid released when women squirted during sex:
    • In this study, the women urinated before sex, and scans showed their bladders were empty.
    • After the women became sexually aroused, either alone or with a partner, they had another ultrasound, which showed their bladders had re-filled a noticeable amount.
    • After squirting, the ultrasounds showed the women’s bladders were empty again.
      • (The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2015)8
  • The amount of ejaculate/fluid released can range from approximately 0.3 milliliters (mL) to more than 150 mL.
    • (Sexual Medicine, 2013)7

Where Does the Fluid Come From?

Based on these studies, it seems that the fluid from squirting comes from the bladder but isn’t necessarily urine. It’s a bit more complicated than that:

  • Squirting probably originates from the bladder, as there isn’t any other structure within that area of the female anatomy that’s able to hold that much liquid or propel it with that much strength.”
    • (Abbas Kanani, 2019)9
  • Some of the white fluid comes from the Skene’s glands, or “the female prostate.” These glands are located on the front wall of the vagina, and some studies show they drain via ducts into the lower end of the urethra.
    • (The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2007)10
  • 30-40% of women don’t have Skene’s glands.
    • Based on reports of anatomical studies on cadavers that have dissected that area trying to find Skene glands, they can’t be found in everyone.
      • (Mind Body Green, 2020)11
  • “The varying levels of development and size of these glands between individuals may partially explain why some women experience dramatic ejaculations while others don’t.”
    • (Samantha Evans, 2019)12

Why the Confusion: Is Squirting Similar to Female Ejaculation?

While squirting is commonly referred to as “coming” or “ejaculating,” similar to the way men come, it’s not actually the same thing. Squirting and ejaculating are two distinctly separate processes in women:

  • There are generally 2 types of female ejaculate:
    • Squirting fluid: This fluid is usually colorless, odorless, and occurs in large quantities.
    • Ejaculate fluid: This fluid more closely resembles male semen. It is typically thick and appears milky.
      • (Medical News Today, 2020)13
  • According to studies, “These two types of ejaculation can happen independently of one another or at the same time.”
    • (Zhana Vrangola, PhD, 2020)3
  • Female ejaculation and “squirting/gushing” are two different phenomena. The organs and the mechanisms that produce them are separate and different.
    • Female ejaculation is the release of a scanty, thick, and whitish fluid from the female prostate.
    • Squirting is the expulsion of a diluted fluid from the urinary bladder.
      • (The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2011)14
  • Interesting Female Ejaculation Statistics:
    • 14% of women reported that they ejaculated with all or most orgasms.
      • 54% said that they had experienced it at least once.
      • (Sexuality & Culture, 2009)15
    • Among a professional population of nurses, sex therapists, sex educators, and counselors, 40% reported experiencing ejaculation at least once.
      • (The Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 1989.)16

That’s a lot of women who say they’ve experienced it! However, keep in mind that those surveyed may also be mixing up the two terms and conflating “female ejaculation” with “squirting.” 


Can All Women Squirt?

Many seem to think that squirting is a rare phenomenon that only happens during the most intense orgasms, but it actually appears to be more common than that. 

Note: As mentioned earlier, some people and some studies have conflated the terms female ejaculation and squirting together. Therefore, these studies are presented below in the way the publications used or referenced them.

  • Between 10% and 54% of women say they have experienced some form of female ejaculation.
    • (The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2013)17
  • Women who’ve experienced squirting were asked how often it happened, here’s what they said:
    • Daily: 19%
    • A few times a week: 32% 
    • A few times a month: 28% 
    • Once a month: 9% 
    • Less than monthly: 12% 
    • However, 19% of these squirters said it happens nearly every time they have a sexual encounter.
      • (Sexual Medicine, 2013)7
  • In a 1984 study, only about a third of them managed to squirt after four sessions.
    • 37% of women were able to squirt from the experiment; 67% couldn’t.
    • (Archives of Sexual Behavior, 1984.)18

What Percentage of Women Squirt?

In some studies, squirting doesn’t seem as common, but some women may not recognize it when it occurs:

  • 6% of women reported “orgasmic expulsions” resembling male ejaculation.
    • 13% said they had at least some experience with squirting.
    • 60% of women in this study experienced a release of fluid without ejaculation.
      • (Ceskoslovenska Psychiatrie,1994)19
  • 54% of women reported experiencing an “orgasmic expulsion” of fluid at least once.
    • (The Nurse Practitioner, 1984)20

Why Squirting Remains a Misunderstood Aspect of Female Pleasure to Date

As we’ve discussed, squirting can be scary for those who have never experienced it before. This embarrassment can also lead to a lack of studies, underreporting of the statistics, and confusion, causing women to think they’re alone:

  • Many women experience discomfort, embarrassment, and shame when referring to the experience of squirting.
    • Some had processed and overcome these feelings, while others still had these feelings.
    • (Sexualities, 2021)21
  • Most women expressed discomfort with feelings like:
    • “Wetting the bed”
    • Referred squirting to be “unpractical”
    • Feeling “squishy”
      • (Sexualities, 2021)21
  • When navigating their parter’s reactions: 
    • Some women had told a new partner beforehand that they might squirt
    • Others tried to control it and not squirt before they were comfortable with a partner, fearing how they would react.
      • (Sexualities, 2021)21

Can You Learn How to Squirt? 

For some, squirting is a fascinating and sexy prospect (mostly squirters partners, if we had to guess :). So that begs the question, is it something you can learn?

  • A 2013 study found that:
    • Participants were more likely to squirt when masturbating than when having sex with a partner.
    • Squirting usually occurred during an orgasm. 
    • Many participants highlighted the importance of “letting go” and relaxing in order to squirt.
      • (Sexual Medicine, 2013)7
  • G-spot stimulation is the most popular recommendation for squirting. If you’re looking to squirt for the first time, it may help to focus on the G-spot.
    • (Medical News Today, 2020)22

How to Explore Squirting

If you and/or your partner are interested in learning how to squirt or experiencing it for the first time, here are some tips on getting started. 

  • Squirting when masturbating:
    • Most women squirt by stimulating the “G-spot.” To find the G-spot, use fingers or a sex toy to stimulate the front wall of the vagina, about a third of the way up.
    • Some experience a tingling sensation or the need to urinate when they locate the G-spot.
  • Squirting with toys:
    • Vibrator on the clitoris
      • While having sex with a partner, ask them to focus on stimulating the front wall of the vagina, where the G-spot is. Then, use a vibrator to stimulate the clitoris for an intense orgasm.
    • Dildo or vibrator on the G-spot:
      • While masturbating or during sex with a partner, use a dildo or vibrator to stimulate the G-spot. Try inserting the toy into the vagina and stimulating the front wall.
  • Squirting during partnered sex in different positions:
    • Reverse cowgirl:
      • In reverse cowgirl, the penetrative partner sits beneath the other partner. The partner on top faces away from them.
      • Either person can also stimulate the top partner’s clitoris, which may help encourage squirting.
    • Sex from behind:
      • It can be easier from behind for the penetrative partner to hit the G-spot. For more stimulation to the front wall of the vagina, the person in front should lie flat while the penetrative partner remains slightly elevated.
    • Modified sex from behind:
      • Kneel and bend forward, with the shoulders close to the ground while the penetrative partner remains upright. It may be more pleasurable if they rock back and forth rather than thrusting in and out.
      • (Medical News Today, 2020)22

Myths and Misconceptions About Squirting

As with any topic that has potential feelings of shame and embarrassment, squirting continues to have many myths and misconceptions around it. However, most of these are false and have been studied repeatedly:

  • Squirting Is Fake:
    • Squirting is real and has been well documented by scientists. More research is needed to determine the exact causes of squirting and female ejaculation and the differences between the two.
  • Everyone Can Squirt If They Try the Same Method:
    • Every person’s experience with squirting is different. Some methods can make people squirt more than others, but nothing has been proven as a guaranteed method that makes every person with a vagina squirt.
  • Squirting Orgasms Are Always High Volume:
    • Squirting isn’t always a high-volume event that soaks the sheets. Instead, it can sometimes be a small trickle or a stream of fluid.
  • Squirting or Ejaculation Only Happens During Orgasm:
    • Some people squirt or ejaculate before or after an orgasm. Squirting also often occurs at the same time as an orgasm. Some people can also squirt multiple times, spread over a few minutes.
    • (WebMD, 2020)23

Conclusion

Squirting can be a surprising, fun, and exciting experience for many – and the data shows it’s much more common than we thought. But, as with many confusing things, especially during sex, it can also cause a lot of embarrassment for those who don’t understand how normal squirting is. It takes continued research and study to break these myths and let people enjoy sex in whatever ways they can.


Footnotes

  1. The FEMEDIC, 2018. A fact-checked article by The FEMEDIC on Squirting, orgasm, and female ejaculation: what’s the difference?
  2. Web of Science and Ovid (MEDLINE), 2018. Databases from 1950 to 2017 on various fluid expulsion phenomena in women during sexual activities.
  3. Zhana Vrangola, PhD, 2020. A sex researcher and professor at New York University.
  4. Sherry Ross, MD, 2016. Ob-gyn and women’s health expert in Santa Monica, California.
  5. Healthline, 2018. A medically reviewed article from Healthline.
  6. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2015. A study of 7 US women without gynecologic abnormalities and reported recurrent and massive fluid emission during sexual stimulation.
  7. Sexual Medicine, 2013. A study of 320 women from all over the world over a period of 18 months.
  8. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2015. A study of 7 US women without gynecologic abnormalities and reported recurrent and massive fluid emission during sexual stimulation.
  9. Abbas Kanani, 2019. Pharmacist at Chemist Click – “During orgasm, the muscles relax and make it difficult to hold in urine, so it’s released via the urethra.”
  10. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2007. A study of 2 premenopausal women at 44 and 45 years of age who actually reported fluid expulsion (ejaculation) during orgasm.
  11. Mind Body Green, 2020. A medically reviewed article from Mind Body Green, with reports from Zhana Vrangola PhD, a sex researcher and professor at New York University.
  12. Samantha Evans, 2019. Sex educator and co-founded Jo Divine, an online sex toy company.
  13. Medical News Today, 2020. A medically reviewed article by Medical News Today
  14. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2011. A study on New Insights from One Case of Female Ejaculation.
  15. Sexuality & Culture, 2009. A study in a volunteer sample of 233 women who were educated about female ejaculation through an oral or audio-visual presentation.
  16. The Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 1989. A study of 1,289 respondents (55% return rate from the original 2,350 women in the United States and Canada).
  17. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2013. A 2013 study on Female ejaculation orgasm vs. coital incontinence: a systematic review.
  18. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 1984. A study of 27 coitally experienced volunteers (women) by means of systematic digital stimulation of both vaginal walls.
  19. Ceskoslovenska Psychiatrie,1994. A study of 200 women treated for the neurosis and from 100 female health professionals and counselors.
  20. The Nurse Practitioner, 1984. A study of 227 women (location not specified) on Subjective reports of female orgasmic expulsion of fluid.
  21. Sexualities, 2021. A study of 28 Swedish women’s diverging experiences of squirting/female ejaculation.
  22. Medical News Today, 2020. A medically reviewed article by Medical News Today on What to know about squirting.
  23. WebMD, 2020. An article by WebMD. Medically reviewed by Hansa D Bhargava, MD, WebMD’s expert pediatrician.
Aliyah Moore

Aliyah Moore

Aliyah Moore (she/her) is our resident sex expert at SexualAlpha. She’s a certified sex therapist with a Ph.D. in Gender & Sexuality Studies. Aliyah is a proud Black, bi-sexual femme passionate about empowering minority voices to embrace their sexuality and identity. She loves to write about everything sexual wellness and gives no-nonsense sex and relationship advice.

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