Does a woman release anything when she comes?

What do women release during orgasm: Skenes glands vs urine

Understanding what do women release during orgasm helps individuals embrace body diversity and reduces unnecessary shame or confusion during intimacy. Knowledge about physiological responses ensures a positive attitude toward sexual health and promotes open communication between partners. Explore biological facts to understand sexual diversity and body health.

The Short Answer: Do Women Release Fluid During Orgasm?

Yes, many women release fluid during sexual arousal or at the moment of orgasm, but the experience varies significantly from person to person. Knowing what do women release during orgasm can take several forms, including natural arousal fluid for lubrication, a smaller volume of thick female ejaculate, or a larger volume of clear fluid often referred to as squirting. It is a natural physiological response that involves different glands and biological processes, and not experiencing it is also completely normal.

While popular media often highlights intense, high-volume releases, the reality is much more diverse. Statistics suggest that between 10% and 54% of women have experienced some form of fluid release during sexual activity. ^[1] For many, this is a sign of intense arousal rather than a standard requirement for an orgasm. But theres a specific chemical in this fluid thats also found in the male prostate - and its presence has changed how we understand female anatomy. Ill explain its role in the section on Skenes glands below.

Look, sex is messy. That is the reality that many textbooks skip. I remember talking to a friend who was genuinely terrified the first time she experienced a large release - she thought she had lost control of her bladder in front of a new partner. That fear is incredibly common. But once you understand the biology behind it, the anxiety usually turns into a sense of empowerment. It is just your body doing its thing.

Arousal Fluid: The Body's Way of Getting Ready

The most common fluid released is arousal fluid, which primarily serves as lubrication to make sexual activity more comfortable. This fluid is produced by the Bartholins glands, located near the opening of the vagina, and through a process called vaginal transudation. As blood flow increases to the pelvic area during arousal, moisture is pushed through the vaginal walls. This creates a slippery, clear, and slightly stretchy substance.

This lubrication starts long before an orgasm actually occurs. In fact, for most women, this is the only fluid they will notice. It typically has a mild, sweet, or metallic scent and is essential for preventing friction and discomfort. Ive found that many people worry they are too wet or too dry, but lubrication levels fluctuate based on hydration, hormone cycles, and the level of stimulation. Its rarely a constant state.

Female Ejaculation: The Female Prostate Connection

Female ejaculation is distinct from simple lubrication and typically involves a small amount of thick, milky-white fluid. This fluid comes from the Skene's glands function, which are often called the female prostate because they are biologically homologous to the male version. These glands are located near the lower end of the urethra and are often stimulated through the anterior vaginal wall, commonly known as the G-spot.

Remember that chemical I mentioned earlier? Its called Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA). Historically, this was thought to exist only in men, but research has confirmed that what is female ejaculate made of involves high levels of PSA, along with prostatic acid phosphatase and glucose. This fluid is thick, often white, and typically released in small quantities, usually between 1 and 5 ml. It is a concentrated glandular secretion, not urine, though it exits through the urethra.

Ill be honest - I was skeptical about the female prostate idea when I first heard it. It sounded like a reach. But when you look at the chemical markers, the evidence is pretty undeniable. The Skenes glands are functional and reactive. They produce a substance that is chemically similar to semen, minus the sperm. Its a fascinating example of how similar our bodies are under the surface.

Squirting: Understanding the High-Volume Release

Squirting is the term usually applied to the sudden, forceful release of a larger volume of clear, watery fluid. While it is often used interchangeably with female ejaculation vs squirting, they are physiologically different. Squirting involves the expulsion of fluid from the bladder through the urethra. This fluid is typically clear and odorless, and the volume can range from 10 ml to over 150 ml in some cases.

There has been significant debate about whether is squirting pee is an accurate description. Analyses show that while the fluid contains urea, creatinine, and uric acid - the building blocks of pee - it is also mixed with the glandular secretions from the Skenes glands. Essentially, it is highly diluted urine that has been chemically altered by the bodys arousal response. Approximately 41% of adult women report experiencing this at least once in their lives. ^[2]

Wait a second. Does that mean its just peeing? Not exactly. Most women who experience this report that it feels nothing like a normal trip to the bathroom. It happens involuntarily at the peak of pleasure, triggered by rhythmic pelvic floor contractions. Its a different muscular and neurological event entirely. If youre worried about the mess, many people find that keeping a towel nearby or using a waterproof blanket solves the logistical issue without ruining the mood.

Physical Orgasm: More Than Just Fluid

Whether or not fluid is released, the female orgasm involves a series of measurable physical changes. The most hallmark sign is the involuntary, rhythmic contraction of the pelvic floor muscles, the uterus, and the anal sphincter. These contractions typically occur at intervals of 0.8 to 1.3 seconds - roughly once per second - and usually happen 5 to 15 times during a single climax. ^[3]

Beyond muscle spasms, the body undergoes a rapid increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Skin flushing, particularly on the chest and neck, occurs in many individuals. After the peak, a hormone called oxytocin is released, which creates that afterglow feeling of relaxation and connection. These reactions happen regardless of whether any fluid is expelled, meaning the absence of fluid is not a sign of a lesser orgasm.

Normalizing the Experience: Fear, Shame, and Pleasure

For a long time, female orgasm fluid release was misunderstood or dismissed as a myth. This led to a lot of unnecessary shame. Data indicates that about 28% of women felt shock or shame the first time they experienced ejaculation or squirting. Many worried they were incontinent or that their partner would find it gross. In reality, about 90% of partners report having a positive attitude toward the experience. ^[5]

The breakthrough comes when you stop trying to control your bodys response and start listening to it. Whether you are someone who stays relatively dry or someone who needs to change the sheets, your body is doing exactly what its supposed to do. About 79% of women who experience fluid release say it enriches their sex lives.^[6] If you dont experience it, youre in the majority - many women have perfectly fulfilling sex lives without ever seeing a drop of ejaculate. Diversity is the rule, not the exception.

Types of Sexual Fluid Release

Arousal Fluid

Vaginal walls and Bartholin's glands

Consistent moisture to a few teaspoons

Clear, slippery, or slightly stretchy

Female Ejaculation

Skene's glands (Female Prostate)

Scanty, usually 1 to 5 milliliters

Thick, milky-white, and opaque

Squirting

Bladder and Skene's glands

Abundant, from 10 milliliters to over 150 milliliters

Watery, clear, and thin

Elena's Shift from Fear to Confidence

Elena, a 26-year-old nurse, experienced a sudden release of fluid during an orgasm for the first time with a new partner. She immediately froze, feeling a wave of panic and embarrassment because she was certain she had accidentally urinated in bed.

She spent the next few days avoiding intimacy and scouring the internet for answers, convinced she had a medical problem. The stress of 'holding it in' made her next few attempts at sex awkward and physically uncomfortable.

After reading about the Skene's glands and talking to a supportive partner, Elena realized that what she felt was a natural surge of pleasure, not a loss of bladder control. She decided to focus on relaxation rather than restraint.

By week four, Elena reported feeling 30% more satisfied with her intimate life. She now keeps a few 'sex towels' handy and views the release as a sign of her body's intense response rather than a source of shame.

Chloe's Realization About Body Diversity

Chloe felt 'broken' because she never experienced the dramatic squirting she saw in popular media. As a 32-year-old who felt she should 'know' her body, the lack of fluid release made her feel like she wasn't orgasming correctly.

She tried various techniques and toys specifically marketed to induce release, but the pressure she put on herself only led to frustration. The harder she tried to force a specific reaction, the harder it became to even enjoy the process.

The breakthrough came during a conversation with her gynecologist, who explained that only about 10-54% of women experience that type of release. Chloe realized her body's natural lubrication was enough and just as 'normal' as anyone else's.

Once she stopped chasing a specific visual outcome, Chloe's focus shifted back to her own sensations. She found that her orgasms actually felt deeper and more frequent once the performance anxiety disappeared.

This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. If you have concerns about unusual discharge, pain, or persistent urinary issues, please consult a qualified healthcare provider.