Some call it n urban legend. Some claim it comes easily. And others—well, they just think it’s freaking amazing. Yep, we’re talking about squirting, a.k.a. female ejaculation.
Squirting is actually more common than you might think. In fact, 40 percent of adults with vulvas in the U.S. have squirted in their lifetime, according to a 2024 study, and two thirds of them discovered their ability to squirt unintentionally. (Now that’s what we call a happy accident.) That said, the vast majority of vulva owners in this study—75 percent—reported using specific techniques in order to get there.
Something to keep in mind, though: Not everyone is eager to squirt, and some vulva owners even report that the experience is too emotionally intense. So, before you start doing your noble research on how to facilitate squirting, ask your partner whether they’re open to trying it. (Remember: Consent is key to enjoying any sexual experience!)
And if they are, don’t be surprised when you get hard merely by watching this epic display. Here’s everything you need to know about squirting—and how to make it happen for your partner.
Can every person with a vulva squirt?
Mainstream porn has led some viewers to believe that squirting is a lot more common than it actually is—in reality, some vulva owners don’t squirt.
“Some people squirt once or with orgasm, some repeatedly, and some not at all,” says porn performer Jiz Lee, who contributed a section on squirting to the book Girl Sex 101. Still, the majority of folks with vulvas report having some squirting ability: Sixty-nine percent of vulva owners between the ages of 18 and 39 have experienced ejaculation during orgasm, per a 2017 study.
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Want to know a fun fact about squirting in porn? A lot of that intense gushing that you see on camera isn’t actually the porn actor squirting. They often shoot water up their vaginas, hold it in place, and then release when instructed by the camera crew. It’s important to remember that while porn is hella entertaining, it is just that: entertainment. We shouldn’t be expecting IRL sex to look like a porn movie. That would be like expecting a drive to the grocery store to be like a car-chasing scene in The Fast and The Furious.
What is squirting, anyway?
For a long time , we didn’t know whether squirting was the same as peeing, where squirting come from, or how it worked, but a 2023 study published in the Journal of Sex Research has helped to clear up some of the mysteries. Turns out, research shows there are actually two types of squirting: female ejaculation and a more gushing kind of squirting from the bladder.
Female ejaculation happens when the Skene’s glans are stimulated during internal stimulation of the clitourethrovaginal complex. When some people with a vulva are sufficiently aroused, they may squirt a clear-ish liquid through their urethra—kinda like how people with a penis are able to ejaculate, except in this case, the process has nothing to do with reproduction. This is an alkaline fluid that is akin to prostate fluid in people with penises.
But if you’re a big, fire-hydrant squirter, that fluid is coming from the bladder, not the Skene’s glans. Which brings us to the second kind of squirting, characterised as a gushing or intense expulsion of liquid from the urethra. This liquid is not exactly pee, but as it’s coming from the bladder, there’s definitely some diluted urine in there.
The amount of ejaculate vulva owners release through squirting can range from 0.3 milliliters to more than 150 milliliters, found a 2013 study. Some bodies just squirt more than others, and hydration levels can impact the amount of ejaculate, too. “It doesn’t mean you did a better job if there was more fluid,” says Lola Jean, a sex educator and self-proclaimed “Olympic Squirter.”
Is squirt the same as pee?
Well, yes and no. Female ejaculate from the Skene’s Glands is not urine. The exact makeup of female ejaculate fluid has long been a subject of debate, but here’s the latest according to a 2021 literature review: Anatomical studies have shown that squirt originates in the Skene’s glands and includes prostate specific antigen (PSA), which is typically found in prostate fluid. We also know that ejaculate differs from urine in its creatinine and urea concentrations.
“It’s understandable that people might think it’s urine, since it comes from the same hole,” Lee says. “While it’s true that people can urinate during sex, [ejaculate] is a different fluid with a different chemical make-up.”
As mentioned, though, there is some urine in that bigger, more intense squirting that some people experience. So, the answer about squirt and pee is rather complicated. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what squirt is—for many people with a vulva, squirting feels good, so let’s focus on the pleasure-giving part of this magical bodily process.
How to Make Your Partner Squirt
Before you and your partner get down to business, ask yourself: Who is this for?
“Squirting isn’t always accompanied by an orgasm, and not everyone finds it pleasurable,” Jean says. A 2021 study of 28 squirters found that some participants felt ashamed of their bodies’ natural pleasure response or found the sensation to be unpleasant, while others considered their squirting ability a “superpower.”
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Do you want your partner to squirt for their sake, since you want them to have the most pleasurable sexual experience possible? Or do you want them to squirt for your ego? If it’s the latter, then you and your partner shouldn’t attempt squirting. If this sexual activity doesn’t appeal to them, try something else that you’ll both enjoy.
Prep properly.
Before you even step into the bedroom, it’s best to prepare your bodies. Make sure your partner is well-hydrated, and since you’ll probably be using your fingers, wash your hands and make sure your nails are trimmed and filed to avoid causing cuts or abrasions.
Next, prepare your space. Squirting can get pretty wet, and if you or your partner are worried about making a mess, you probably won’t enjoy yourselves. “Lay down a large towel, a mattress protector, or a sex blanket like the kind Liberator makes to make clean-up easy and lessen concerns about ‘wetting’ the bed,” Lee says.
If your partner has never squirted before, anticipating a waterfall might feel like a lot of pressure, so if they’d rather not lay down a towel, that’s fine—you can always wash your bedding after sex if you need to. Of course, if your partner knows they can gush like Old Faithful, they might be eager to use some form of mattress protection. (Better safe than sopping wet, after all!)
Take the pressure off.
Squirting should be about the journey; not the destination.
“Any time you approach sex with a goal, there’s pressure placed on the act that can create potential frustration and disappointment,” Lee says. “Put that whole concept of a goal in the trash bin and set out with simply the possibility to include something new and exciting.”
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Remember that even if your partner doesn’t squirt during your first (or tenth) attempt, at least you both had fun trying!
Get your partner aroused.
Turning your partner on will prime their body for squirting. “Arousal will not only engorge the perennial sponge and the urethral sponge making then more receptive to touch, but it will also help build up fluids in the Bartholin’s glands (largely responsible for vaginal lubrication) and paraurethral glands (largely responsible for urethral lubrication),” Jean says.
There’s no universal way to get someone in the mood, so if you’re not already familiar with your partner’s turn-on’s, ask them what they’re craving. They might be into kissing, dirty talk, digital clitoral stimulation, oral sex, nipple play, role play, porn, sex toys, spanking, or something else entirely.
Ramp up clitoral and vaginal stimulation.
Just as with orgasming in general, some bodies respond to firm G-spot stimulation, while others need soft clitoral circling to come. And some people can even squirt without any direct stimulation to their vulva. Because sexual techniques are truly the spice of life, you can and should explore various methods with your partner to see what gets them gushing. Whatever you do, remember: Communication is key. “Listen to verbal and non-verbal physical cues for how much pressure to apply, how fast of movement to make, whether to add kissing or clitoral stimulation, etc.,” Lee says.
One popular technique involves a combination of clitoral and G-spot stimulation using your fingers or sex toys. “While people can squirt from penile penetration, it’s far more likely to happen with hands or curved sex toys,” says Lee. “Satisfyer Spinning Rabbit 1 is a favourite; its C-shaped curve makes it easy to hold and pinpoint good pressure.”
You may think that in order to get your partner to squirt, you need to aggressively thrust with your hand and deliver the most pressure possible. This is not always the case. “Everyone’s body is different, and while many enjoy a full spectrum of intensity, these are highly sensitive parts of the body, so they may not want you jackhammering away at these nerve-packed zones,” Jean says. Continue to check in with your partner about what feels good to them before increasing pressure.
Get ready for the final “push.”
“Once you hear the ‘splash splash’ sound—meaning your partner is really wet—I am telling you now that your partner is capable of squirting; they just have to figure out how to get it out of their body,” Jean says. For some vulva owners, that means pushing out using their pelvic floor muscles.
Often, vulva owners say they feel like they need to pee right before they squirt, which makes sense, considering squirt does come out of the urethra. This discourages some people from squirting because they fear they’re just going to pee. Knowing this is a common sensation can help your partner relax and push through the confusing “peeing” feeling.
Once your partner signals that they’re about to start squirting, stick with external stimulation. “Be aware that toys or hands may block the urethral opening at that important moment of fluid expulsion, so be prepared to move them aside when it’s time,” Lee says. “Some people will ask partners to pull out just before they gush.”
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You may attempt everything, and your partner doesn’t squirt. This is completely fine and doesn’t mean either of you did anything wrong. Hopefully, you both enjoyed the sexual experience regardless, and know that you can always try again if both partners are on board. And whether or not your partner squirts, remember the importance of aftercare!
Best Sex Positions for Squirting
Sometimes, a small change of body positions can make a big difference during sex. The right position can turn an average round of play into an immensely satisfying bone sesh—and that’s true for trying to make your partner squirt. You’ll want to use your fingers or a toy for stimulation, says Gigi Engle, A.C.S., a certified sex educator and lead intimacy expert at 3Fun.
Butterfly Queening
Have your partner lie on their back and fan their knees out to the sides. Kneel between them, and stimulate with your fingers or a toy.
“This gives lots of access to the area and makes it easy to move your fingers or a toy in the upward motion needed to stimulate the Skene’s glands and urethral sponge,” Engle says.
Doggy Style
Doggy style puts your partner in an optimal position for the upward motion needed to provide the correct stimulation to achieve squirting. Kneel behind them, and apply clitoral and G-spot stimulation while angling your fingers down towards their belly button.
This article by Zachary Zane, Rebecca Strong and Cori Ritchey, C.S.C.S. was originally published on Men’s Health US
