Female Ejaculation
Read about the author Samantha Evans
What is female ejaculation?
Female ejaculation (FE), the expulsion of fluid from the urethra during female sexual arousal or orgasm is a poorly understood aspect of female sexual health. Widely documented for thousands of years, it is still cloaked in scientific controversy and remains one of the most hotly debated questions about sex.
Many women find it highly pleasurable, whereas others find it embarrassing and unpleasant. There are many myths surrounding female ejaculation, but here at Jo Divine we hope to explain this phenomenon in greater detail.
Am I peeing?
Many women, men and experts believe that when a woman ejaculates she is urinating, but anyone who does ejaculate during sex will tell you it is definitely not urine. It does not smell or even taste like urine. A study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine (2010) found that the fluid produced during orgasm is similar to that of prostate plasma and may come from the Skene’s gland. The amount a woman ejaculates varies, from a capful to “squirting”. These glands are also known as lesser vestibular or paraurethral glands. They are generally considered to be the ‘female prostate gland’ due to similarities in their structure and function to the male prostate gland, and produce proteins such as prostate-specific antigen, which was previously known only to originate in the male organ.
The prostate gland in men is nearly always fully formed, whereas this is not the case in some women. It has been estimated that between 10-54% of women experience some type of fluid expulsion as a result of sexual arousal and orgasm. Whilst most women have fully-formed Skene glands, many have very small ones and some women do not have them at all. This may partially explain why some women experience G-spot orgasms and ejaculation whilst others do not.
Should every woman be able to ejaculate?
There are many people, including experts, who think that all women should be able to ejaculate because we all have Skene glands: but as mentioned above, some women have very small ones or none at all. Research is somewhat inconsistent when it comes to documenting just what percentage of women do “gush” – it ranges from 6% to 60%! As to whether a woman wants to ejaculate is another matter. Some women really enjoy the feeling, whereas others find it an unpleasant experience.
Do women who ejaculate have better orgasms?
Some women who have “wet orgasms” claim that they are the best ever, but however you orgasm, as long as you enjoy it, continue to do what works for you. We are all individuals and one size does not fit all.
Can female ejaculation be taught?
It is believed that female ejaculation is generally achieved by stimulating the G-spot, an area located just inside the vagina. Being connected to the urethra, pressure on this area will produce the desire to urinate. The Skene gland is located near this area, so pressing on the G-spot will stimulate the Skene gland too. By finding a sexual position which offers the right stimulation, friction and deep penetration, you may be able to achieve a G-spot orgasm and ejaculate at the same time. Many sex toys are designed for G-spot stimulation with curved heads, shaped to caress the G-spot to help you orgasm and ejaculate simultaneously.
Some women find using a dildo helps them to locate and stimulate their G-SPOT.
Some women find the feeling of needing to pee uncomfortable and tense up when they need to relax and go with the sensation. Others do not enjoy being so wet and feel embarrassed about “wetting the bed”. As mentioned above, some women do not have Skene glands at all therefore would not be able to ejaculate; however, they still achieve pleasurable orgasms.
Vaginal lubrication
The secretion produced by the walls of the vagina during sexual intercourse or arousal is a viscous, slippery fluid designed to ease penetration and reduce irritation and injury during sex. Some women produce large quantities of vaginal lubrication during sexual arousal, but this is not the same secretion which is produced in female ejaculate.
Urinary Incontinence
It is estimated that 20-45% of women experience urinary incontinence in their lifetime as a result of weakened pelvic floor muscles through childbirth and the ageing process. Of these women, about 66% experience urinary incontinence during sex or sexual arousal. This is a cause for concern and they should seek medical advice. Daily pelvic floor exercises can help as can the use of pelvic floor exercisers such as Luna Beads.
Do porn stars squirt?
Much of what is portrayed in porn is not real and leads us to have unrealistic expectations of what sex should be like. Many of the women who ejaculate on film have water put into their vaginas just before the shot is taken or even urinate. Women who are able to ejaculate will tell you it is more likely to happen if you are relaxed rather than when a camera is pointed at you and that they cannot do it on command.
Female ejaculation is a normal, healthy sexual response and should not be seen as a source of shame or anything to feel embarrassed about. Not all women are physically capable of experiencing female ejaculation and it is not necessary for achieving sexual pleasure or orgasms. If you want to learn more about how to provoke female ejaculation, read more in our ‘How To Female Ejaculate’ article.