Alexandra Fine, Credentialed Sexologist, M. Psych | Written by Dame
Discussion of Squirting Orgasms | What causes squirting?ย | How common are squirting orgasms?| Train yourself to have a squirting orgasm
For years, the biggest debate about anatomy and sexual satisfaction โ not just among vulva-havers, but in sexual medicine circles โ involved the purported existence of the g-spot.
Once researchers had pretty much established that the g-spot really does exist, a new debate took center stage:
Is there such a thing as โfemale ejaculation?โ Or in simpler terms, does squirting really exist?
Those who hang out at porn sites like Brazzers or PornHub would swear itโs a real thing. In fact, โsquirtingโ (along with similar terms like โgirlcumโ) is regularly one of the top-20 searched terms on PornHub, right alongside such venerable favorites as โbig tits,โ โorgy,โ โthreesome,โ โcreampie,โ โmilf,โ โBBWs,โ โporn stars,โ โblondesโ and โbrunettes.โ Itโs one of the most popular requests for webcam hosts as well.
But hereโs the most interesting part. Those with vulvas are almost 50% more likely than those with penises to search for squirting porn videos.
Analytics, of course, canโt tell you why people search for certain topics. But some medical professionals and sexologists have speculated on the matter. They think that increased discussion of vaginal ejaculation has either caused vulva-havers to be curious about squirting, or that their partners pressure them to do it to prove their sexual satisfaction.
That doesnโt answer the question, though. Is squirting real?
If it is, why does it happen? Is it really evidence of a climax? Can vagina owners train themselves to have squirting orgasms?
As Roseanne Roseannadanna would always say on early episodes of Saturday Night Live: โyou sure ask a lot of questions.โ
Letโs find some answers.
Discussion of Squirting Orgasms Isnโt New
The belief that ejaculation isnโt just for penis owners dates back millennia.
Hippocrates, the โfather of medicine,โ wrote in the 5th century B.C. about women producing semen necessary for conception. A few centuries later, the Greek physician Galen discussed the โspermโ produced by women. And the ancient Kama Sutra spoke of โfemale semen (that) falls continuously.โ The Romans called what they described as female ejaculate โliquor vitae,โ and in India it was known as โa nectar of the gods.โ
A bit more recently, in 1672, Dutch anatomist Regnier de Graaf contributed the first detailed description of vaginal ejaculation. He described fluid expelled from the periurethral glands adjacent to the vagina during orgasm, although he called the glands โthe female prostate.โ And also in the 17th century, Italian anatomist Renaldus Columbo, best known for his landmark work explaining the role of the clitoris in sexual pleasure, referenced โfluid rushing outโ during orgasm.ย
A number of 20th century researchers have described squirting in different ways and with different explanations. Perhaps the most famous was German physician Ernst Grรคfenberg, an expert on vulvar anatomy known for his invention of the IUD โ and perhaps best known as the man for whom the g-spot was named (the โgโ stands for Grรคfenberg). He reported observing masturbating patients not only squirting, but โgushing.โ And since he only saw them ejaculating during orgasm and not during foreplay, he concluded that the fluid was not for lubrication, but instead a sign of pleasure.
That was a good start. Since then, however, much more rigorous research has been done on the subject.
What Causes Squirting?
A few famous 20th century experts continued to dispute the existence of vaginal ejaculation. For example, in 1966 sexologists Masters and Johnson, well known for their study of the โfemale orgasm,โ called squirting an urban legend and claimed it was really just urinary incontinence.
They might not have been completely off-base, but they were more wrong than right.
A major project confirming the reality and possible causes of squirting was performed decades ago. Perry and Whipple studied 47 vulva-havers who said they regularly experienced vaginal ejaculation, and found that they all had significantly stronger-than-usual contractions of their pubococcygeal muscles (PC muscles in the pelvic floor) and stronger urinary contractions during orgasms.
Also importantly, all 47 โsquirtersโ were found to have an identifiable g-spot. Not only that, they all reported feeling deeper orgasms in the vicinity of the g-spot, much stronger they experienced from clitoral stimulation. That research understandably caused some to conclude that squirting is triggered by g-spot stimulation that leads to orgasm.
There have been many studies performed since. Not only have almost all of them agreed that female ejaculation is a real thing, many researchers have collected the ejaculate. That has led to some very different conclusions about the nature and causes of squirting. The biggest issues: exactly whatโs in the ejaculate, and where does it come from?
Some researchers claim that itโs really just urine thatโs involuntarily released from the bladder. One famous French study involved vulva owners who reported having intense squirting orgasms. They were first instructed to void their bladders (in other words, peeing before sexual stimulation), and they underwent pelvic ultrasounds before sexual activity, just before orgasm, and after vaginal ejaculation. The ultrasounds showed empty bladders at the start of stimulation, a noticeable filling of the bladder just before climax, and an empty bladder after orgasm.
The obvious conclusion was that the ejaculate was primarily urine, and testing showed it did contain the urea and uric acid that are found in urine. That backed one of theories that had developed; squirting was really just the release of urine.
Thereโs was something interesting in that French study, though. The liquid also contained protein-specific antigen (PSA), the same substance thatโs produced by the prostate in penis-havers and a vital component of their semen (it liquefies the semen and allows sperm to swim).
That would back up earlier conclusions by Milan Zaviacic; heโs the award-winning, 20th century Slovak researcher who confirmed de Graafโs 1672 description of the โfemale prostate gland.โ Zazavic claimed that female ejaculate is significantly different than urine and is secreted by the periurethral glands, also known as Skeneโs glands, in vagina-owners. That finding was later backed up by chemical analyses performed by sexologist Beverly Whipple and a number of other scientists, who reported that the ejaculate has a very difficult chemical makeup than urine.
So which analysis is correct? Is vaginal ejaculate urine, or is it similar to prostate ownersโ semen?
Apparently it can be both, and Mexican researcher Alberto Rubio-Casillas presented new biochemical evidence proving it. He discovered that there are actually two different types of vaginal ejaculation. Squirting (or gushing) is indeed a stream of diluted urine involuntarily excreted from the bladder. But those with vulvas may also produce a small amount of thick, white fluid which is released from the Skeneโs glands, which are connected to the urethra. The fluid released during squirting orgasms can be one, the other, or a mix of both.
A systematic review of all scientific literature conducted by Czech researcher Zlatko Pastor goes even further, postulating that those who squirt do so because of either โpenetration incontinenceโ or โorgasmic incontinence.โ That implies that legendary gushers are really due to a form of urinary disorder.
Whatever the cause, the โtwo types of vaginal ejaculationโ theory is now commonly believed by sexual researchers.
For many readers, the fact that urine is involved may take at least some of the romance out of squirting orgasms. But for those whoโd like to continue reading, letโs find out how common they are, and whether itโs possible for a vagina owner to train themselves to have one.
How Common Are Squirting Orgasms?
Itโs not surprising that there are no reliable numbers to report on the number of vagina owners who squirt; researchers have to rely on self-reporting, and the results of surveys vary widely. The best that the International Society for Sexual Medicine can say is that somewhere between 10% and 50% of vulva-havers ejaculate when having an orgasm.
In one fairly large self-reporting study done in 2013, about 15% of respondents claimed that they always squirted, while more than half said it had happened at least once. As for the amount of liquid ejaculated there was also a wide range reported, from a few drops to half-a-cup. More than 80% said the liquid was clear, and about 15% said it was white or milky. There are no statistics available on multiple squirting orgasms.
However, some experts think that nearly 100% of vulva-havers ejaculate. They believe that those who donโt report it just donโt realize theyโre doing it, for one of two reasons: thereโs so little fluid they donโt notice it, or theyโre not aware theyโve ejaculated because the fluid flows backward into the bladder.
Can You Train Yourself to Have a Squirting Orgasm?
Itโs understandable that many vulva owners would want to at least try to have a squirting climax.
The enormous amount of popular buzz (and the number of porn videos, as weโve mentioned) focusing on squirting makes some think itโs either sexy, or an indication of having achieved (or brought about) the ultimate orgasm. The latter isnโt out of the realm of possibility. In the 2013 study, 79% of the participants said that being able to squirt was an โenrichmentโ of their sex life.
If youโre ready to give it a try, thereโs some good news. You donโt have to worry about sexual positions; doggy style isnโt any more likely to induce ejaculation than missionary. You donโt have to find a penis-haver with a big dick; technique and mindset are more important. Truthfully, you donโt even need a partner; sexy toys like dildos and vibrators (with some lube) can be more effective than intercourse.
Interviews and survey responses show that those more likely to squirt are those who are frequently orgasmic โ and frequently horny. If that doesnโt describe you, youโll want to find a quiet and โconduciveโ place where you can relax (putting too much pressure on yourself to squirt can be a buzzkill), take your time, and fully concentrate on your usual sexual triggers without distractions.
The majority of vulva-havers say that stimulation of the g-spot is most likely to produce squirting, but donโt go right for the sweet spot. Play with your nipples, your clitoris or other erogenous zones first. That will get blood flowing into the vagina as you get excited, making things easier.
When you feel ready to go for the gold, a vibrator designed to hit the g-spot may be the best choice, although fingering can work if you are able to hit the right spot on the vaginal wall. At the same time, relax your PC muscles (the ones on the pelvic floor you use when you urinate). Donโt rush; this could take a while, but it will be worth it. If you feel like youโre about to pee, let go โ thatโs more likely to be ejaculate ready to come out, than it is to be urine.
You shouldnโt expect to be able to squirt the first time you try it. It will probably take at least a few tries before you get there. Donโt be discouraged. A lot of people have been able to develop the ability, but itโs not automatic for most. If you want to help the process along, try doing Kegel exercises a few times a day, to strengthen your pelvic floor and give you more control over your PC muscles. That control can make all the difference.
Oh โ and one other suggestion. Put down an absorbent towel before you start. If youโre successful, youโll be glad you did.