Sex has several bone (rs) of contention – the existence of the G-Spot for example is hotly debated. Another topic that seems to polarise practically everyone, including those with not much knowledge of is the topic of sexual health is squirting. For years, adult movies have led us to believe that universally women can squirt. And when we do, it’s not in small quantities but rather gallons of water. On the other hand, a bunch of sexual health experts have confirmed that squirting is not a myth. According to research, 10% to 54% of women can actually squirt, it’s NOT a myth. The percentage may be less, and you may have not experienced the act of squirting, but it’s about time we accept that it’s not just in books. While we love pretending that sexual concepts like these are novel and a modern day discovery, this is entirely untrue. Taoist texts dating back to the 4th century speak of it.
The disbelief in squirting is to be blamed on the stigma attached to female sexuality and also on our incompetent sex education. For the longest time, I held a misconceived notion that squirting and orgasming were the same thing. So every time I actually orgasmed and ejaculated, I simply assumed I hadn’t, all because I didn’t squirt. However, this phenomenon seems to hang in the grey area. The sexual health community has always had a divided opinion on squirting.
So we decided to speak to experts and have them debunk all the myths about squirting.
What is Squirting?
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If sexual experts agree unanimously on one thing, it’s the scientific definition of squirting. Squirting is the gushing out of fluid from the urethra (the tube that transports urine from your bladder, outside the body). Dr Aruna Kalra, senior gynaecologist and obstetrician at CK Birla Hospital explains that when we’re extremely aroused, watery fluid is expelled through our bodies as a reaction to that. “However, this also contains fluids from the Skene’s gland, also known as the female prostrate,” she explains.
However, this has been a topic of debate for long. Niyati Shah, sexuality educator, counsellor and founder at Averti further explains, “These fluids secreted by vagina and vulva owners when aroused contain a combination of fluids that can also contain urine.” However, experts agree that squirting does contain urine and that it’s not female ejaculation particularly, but just a part of it. “They originate from different parts of the body and differ vastly in quantities too,” says Niyati.
The Difference Between Squirting and Peeing
Probably the most asked question following this is, ‘Is squirting pee?”. Unfortunately for us, this doesn’t have a simple answer such as yes or no. Instead, it’s yes AND no. A 2022 study published in the International Journal of Urology revealed that the main component of squirting fluid that originates from the urethra is urine. However, as complicated as it sounds, they’re not the same thing. Squirting and urinating are different. Dr Aruna believes that this confusion arises from the fact that both involve the gushing out of fluid. “Squirting, compared to urine, has a much lower concentration of urea and creatinine. Also, when we compare the volumes of these two, they have a difference, which allows you to tell them apart. Squirting fluid ranges from 125ml to 400ml while urinating fluid ranges from 300ml to 600ml.”
Another way to tell them apart, according to Niyati is by analysing the context of when these acts take place. “Squirting takes place during sexual arousal and finds its origins in pleasure and intimacy. It’s something that you can’t really control. While urinating is our body’s way of getting rid of the waste accumulated inside, often a controllable act, not for too long though,” she says. If it feels heavenly, happens when you’re sexually aroused and feel uncontrollable, it’s squirting.
The Million Dollar Question – Does Every Woman Squirt?
Most women orgasm and ejaculate, not as often as they’d like, but they do. However, every woman doesn’t squirt. A natural phenomenon that takes place in our bodies, squirting isn’t a one-size-fits-all act. “Our vagina is surrounded by glands that were specially designed to keep the vagina moist and ensure that it’s free of irritants and infections. When we climax, we experience a rise in secretions and sometimes we release these when we ejaculate. Some women are able to, while some women aren’t, and that is completely okay.” explains Dr Aruna.
The reason why this question has an ambiguous response is solely because of the fact that there is very little scientific research conducted about the processes of ejaculating, squirting and peeing. Niyati believes that there needs to be more knowledge about all of these processes and we need to re-evaluate what we already know about them. “The ability to squirt is influenced by individual anatomy, sensitivity and various other factors. Some women may experience it, while others may never experience it at all. It’s essential to remember that everyone’s body is unique, and there’s a wide range if normal when it comes to sexual experiences and responses,” she concludes.
Is There A Particular Way To Squirt?
The entire process of sex or even any sexual activity in general is meant to be enjoyed without the pressure of orgasming, ejaculating or squirting. However, if you’re curious about trying to squirt, there are a few things you can do to speed up the process. It’s something that one needs to be patient and remember that it could take from a few weeks to a few months or even a few years for your body to experience squirting. Just because you’re unable to squirt doesn’t mean that the process of sexual arousal or masturbation wasn’t good enough. Here’s what you can do.
Clitoral stimulation: By now we’ve all realised that clitoral stimulation reigns supreme when it comes to making a vulva-owner orgasm. The Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy reveals that over 36.6% of women deem clitoral stimulation a necessity to orgasm. So adding this to the mix, with a partner or when you’re masturbating can contribute to squirting.
Relaxed mood: Like every sexual activity requires you to be calm and relaxed without any stresses, squirting does too. If you’re worried or paranoid, it may hamper your ability to squirt.
Hydrate yourself: Drinking water to keep your body hydrated isn’t a guaranteed factor that contributes to your body being able to squirt but it’s not a bad idea to be hydrated.
Outercourse: Sexual arousal for women is always at its peak when outercourse is practised. Activities such as kissing, oral sex or even sensual massages allow partners to turn up the notch on the levels of intimacy and arousal.
