Female Ejaculation: What’s Happening Down There?

If you’re confused or skeptical about female ejaculation, you’re not alone, and you certainly can’t be blamed. We’ve often been told that it’s not even real and is unattainable, but we’re now learning that this is far from true. As is often the case with women’s sexuality, most of our knowledge comes from men explaining what a woman’s body can or cannot do. Typical mansplaining stuff!

Thankfully, that’s been changing, and there’s a growing recognition of the fact that sexuality is part of a healthy relationship, something that our ancestors in ancient India clearly understood based on the literature and art that they left behind. This means that both male and female sexual pleasure deserve equal importance, making it important to understand the elusive female ejaculation or ‘vajaculation’.

What is female ejaculation?

As the term suggests, female ejaculation refers to the release of bodily fluids as a sexual response, such as upon achieving orgasm. This does not mean that one cannot occur without the other. It is entirely possible for a woman to achieve orgasm without vaginal ejaculation, and this is the case for most women.

When female ejaculation does occur, the female ejaculate fluid that is released has a clear, watery, or milky consistency. There are still no definitive figures on how common female ejaculation is. This is because it was poorly defined until recently, and there are very few studies on the subject. However, based on existing data, female ejaculation has a prevalence rate as high as 54%.

What is a squirting orgasm?

It should come as no surprise that the notion of a squirting orgasm is generally confused with female ejaculation and is seen as essential for the ‘ultimate’ sexual experience. This misunderstanding is in no small part caused by porn, which is created solely for entertainment and certainly not for sex ed. A squirting orgasm is an orgasm that is accompanied by the expulsion of a large amount of fluid from the urethra during climax — typically, this liquid is urine and could even be linked to urinary incontinence, although that isn’t always the case. The truth is that most women don’t have squirting orgasms and don’t need to have them to enjoy a mind-blowing climax. 

Vaginal ejaculation: How it happens

Vaginal or female ejaculation involves the secretion and release of fluids that are produced by the paraurethral or Skene’s glands, which are the equivalent of the male prostate glands. The Skene’s glands comprise two glands that are around the urethra and towards the front walls of the vagina. In response to G-spot and/or clitoral stimulation, the glands release ejaculate into the urethra, which may then accumulate in the bladder, from where it is forcefully expelled during ejaculation. The process of ejaculation occurs as a result of pelvic floor muscle contractions during orgasm, which forces the accumulated fluid outwards. Female ejaculate fluid is very similar to semen in terms of its composition, containing the same enzymes, as well as small amounts of urine components, including urea and creatinine.

Myths and misconceptions about female ejaculation

Myth: Female ejaculation is abnormal or rare.
Reality: Studies estimate that between 10% and 50% of sexually active women experience some form of ejaculation under the right stimulation. However, the amount of fluid expelled can vary greatly, and many may not discern it as ejaculation.

Myth: A squirting orgasm is always urinary incontinence.
Reality: Although most of the liquid expelled in a squirting orgasm is urine, it also includes female ejaculate fluid and is not always linked solely to involuntary urine leakage or incontinence. 

Myth: You haven’t had an orgasm if you haven’t ejaculated.
Reality: Many women have orgasms without the expulsion of fluids. In fact, data suggests that nearly half of all women experience orgasms without ejaculation, and this does not diminish their sexual satisfaction or the quality of the sexual experience.

Tips for exploring female ejaculation

• Relax: Although sex can be a great way to release stress, being tense and stressed is counterproductive and can delay or inhibit arousal. A relaxed state is more conducive to achieving more intense orgasms with female ejaculation, as you are more attuned to sensations of pleasure. 

• Warm up first: It’s hard to achieve an orgasm or achieve vaginal ejaculation without adequate stimulation. This requires foreplay involving stimulation of the clitoris so that ejaculate fluid can also build up before orgasm. Of course, before you get to the foreplay, you need romance for emotional intimacy.

• Find the G-spot: Practice makes perfect, and you can learn more by experimenting with self-stimulation or with your partner. Try different motions towards the front of the vaginal wall, even using curved toys and different angles and pressure to find the most sensitive spot.

• Strengthen your pelvic muscles: Try to practise Kegel exercises and similar exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles, as their contractions play a central role in healthy orgasms.

When to seek guidance

Whether you experience vaginal ejaculation or don’t have ejaculation with your orgasms, both experiences are normal and don’t require medical attention. However, there are a few circumstances in which you should seek help from a gynaecologist or urologist:

• If vaginal ejaculation is accompanied by pain or burning sensations

• If female ejaculate fluid has an unusual odour or colour

• If there is excessive leakage of urine during orgasm

• If urine leakage also occurs outside of sexual activity

Embracing your body’s responses

A healthy and satisfying sex life begins with a healthy body image and self-love. Learn to appreciate your own body and its unique sexual responses, because there is considerable variation in our sexuality. Different people have different turn-ons, and not all women ejaculate or squirt. Focusing solely on aspects of performance, such as female ejaculation, can interfere with arousal and diminish the experience. Instead, focus on sensations of pleasure and learn to enjoy them.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are some positions better for achieving vaginal ejaculation?

As there is considerable variation in our erogenous zones, the area to be stimulated to achieve an orgasm or ejaculation is different for every woman. However, many find the ‘woman on top’ position to be more effective.

2. What is the purpose of female ejaculate fluid?

Although researchers have identified the composition of this fluid, there is still no clear understanding of its purpose.

3. Does female ejaculation come with any health benefits?

There are no known health benefits associated specifically with ejaculation; however, achieving an orgasm is known to offer a wide range of benefits from lowering stress and blood pressure to improving immune function and cardiac health.

Click here for medical advice disclaimer