Female ejaculation and squirting as similar but completely different phenomena: A narrative review of current research

Clin Anat. 2022 Jul;35(5):616-625. doi: 10.1002/ca.23879. Epub 2022 Apr 16.

Abstract

Women expel fluids of various quantities and compositions from the urethra during sexual arousal and orgasm. These are classified as either female ejaculation (FE) or squirting (SQ). The aim of our analysis was to present evidence that FE and SQ are similar but etiologically different phenomena. A review of studies was performed on fluids expelled from the urogenital tract during female sexual activities using the Web of Knowledge™ (Web of Science Core Collection) and MEDLINE (Ovid) databases from 1946 to 2021. Until 2011, all female orgasmic expulsions of fluids were referred to as FE. The fluid was known to be either from the paraurethral glands or as a result of coital incontinence. At present, SQ is considered as a transurethral expulsion of approximately 10 milliliters or more of transparent fluid, while FE is considered as a secretion of a few milliliters of thick fluid. The fluid in SQ is similar to urine and is expelled by the urinary bladder. The secretion in FE originates from the paraurethral glands and contains a high concentration of prostate-specific antigen. Both phenomena can occur simultaneously. The mechanisms underlying SQ and FE are entirely different. SQ is a massive transurethral orgasmic expulsion from the urinary bladder, while FE is the secretion of a very small amount of fluid from the paraurethral glands.

Keywords: female ejaculation; female prostate; orgasm; paraurethral glands; sexual arousal; squirting; urinary bladder.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Ejaculation*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Orgasm*
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Urethra
  • Urinary Bladder