Background

Peri-orgasmic fluid (POF) encompasses vaginal lubrication, squirting, female ejaculation (FE), and urine from coital incontinence (CI). These all occur naturally but have different biochemical compositions.

• FE comes from the Skene’s glands, located along the urethra in the vagina, and is associated with stimulation of the clitoral-urethro-vaginal area (commonly referred to as the G-Spot). FE is low in volume and may look similar to semen in that it is white and opaque.
• Squirting is distinctly different from FE and CI. It presents as clear liquid that is similar to water, containing lower concentrations of uric acid, urea, chlorine, and creatinine than urine, but it is similar to FE in that it contains smaller amounts of prostate-specific antigens, glucose, and fructose.
  • Many contemporary, non-clinical views of squirting are that it is “just pee,” likely due to the similar smell and composition.

Study Objectives

• To address current gaps in research surrounding psychosexual assessments of women who experience squirting.
• To evaluate sexual function and psychological profiles in women experiencing squirting.

Methods

• Cross-sectional 1:2 case-control design in two parts.
  • All POF women were compared against a control group, then
  • Only POF women confirmed to experience squirting were compared against controls (adjusted for a 1:2 ratio).
• Participants were recruited through clinical practice.
  • 13 eligible women experiencing POF, 26 women controls.
• POF women submitted samples of their POF:
  • Placed in sterile containers and tested for biochemical makeup, including color, pH, osmolarity, glucose, protein, hemoglobin, urea, uric acid, and PSA.
  • Participants recorded the timing of POF production (before or during orgasm) and ensured an empty bladder before stimulation.
  • Urine samples were collected before and after stimulation.
• Psychometric questionnaires were taken by both POF women and controls, and their partners when applicable:
  • Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): 19 items, assessing sexual function in women, with separate domains (desire, arousal, orgasm, lubrication, satisfaction, pain)
  • Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDF-R): 13 items, assessing sex-related personal distress in women.
  • Body Uneasiness Test (BUT): assesses body image dissatisfaction and related concerns.
  • Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire (MHQ): measures neurotic symptoms in six domains (free-floating anxiety, depression, obsessive symptoms, phobic anxiety, somatic symptoms, and hysteria).
  • Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Inventory for Women (SIS-SES-W): evaluates how different psychological factors might inhibit or excite sexual arousal behavior.
  • Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ): assesses adult attachment styles (secure, anxious, avoidant).
  • Orgasmometer-F: rates from 0-10 (10 is highest) in terms of level of orgasm intensity.
  • An interview to discuss attitudes toward squirting/POF was conducted in person.

Key Results/Analysis

• Researchers state that some sociodemographic characteristics may confound results:
  • POF women were an average of 36 years old, most were pre-menopausal (84.6%), most had graduated (61.5%), most were in a stable relationship (76.9%), less than half were religious (46.2%), and just over half were heterosexual (69.2%).
  • Control women were an average of 36 years old, most were pre-menopausal (73.1%), less than half had graduated (23.1%), just over half were in a stable relationship (69.2%), and most were heterosexual (96.1%).
• In total, 8 women were experiencing squirting based on volume and biochemical makeup. Two of these women had very diluted pre-stimulation urine (by osmolarity), which may have to do with hydration.
  • It should be noted that some women believe they need to be well hydrated to experience squirting – researchers suggest this may need to be investigated further.
• The type of stimulation varied from clitoral stimulation with fingers or toys, to oral sex, to penetrative intercourse, eventually leading to vaginal orgasm.
• According to Orgasmometer results, the squirting women had higher intensity orgasms than the control group. Additionally, the POF occurred during both arousal and orgasm stages of the sexual response cycle.
  • Researchers state this could be due to higher-intensity contractions in the pubococcygeus pelvic floor muscles, which tend to influence orgasm intensity.
  • Researchers also state that the self-reported orgasm intensity may be partially influenced by notions surrounding “full” completion for women.
    • There is a popular understanding that female orgasm is only achieved or is enhanced automatically by POF/squirting, which may influence women’s perception of their orgasm.
  • FSFI total, arousal, lubrication, and desire were higher for POF/squirting women.
    • When adjusted for confounding factors (sociocultural influences), only the total scores were higher. This suggests that cultural ideas of squirting may influence women’s perception of sexual function.
      • Women in the POF/squirting group were less likely to be religious, had higher levels of education, and were more frequently bisexual.
        • This may indicate they are more likely to engage in non-procreative sex, have more sexual education and understanding, and may seek other methods of stimulation more often, leading to a better understanding of their body.
      • A higher FSFI score may indicate a positive feedback loop between sexual activity and squirting.
    • Women in the POF/squirting group also experienced lower levels of intimacy-related discomfort (ASQ).
      • Perhaps intimate partner relationships and trusting, open communication help women feel more comfortable with squirting.
      • Avoidant attachment may result in lower emotional intimacy, which can influence sexual function with a specific partner.
    • Women in the POF/squirting group reported lower levels of body image discomfort (BUT).
      • Researchers suggest this may, in part, be influenced by religious influences, as well as anxiety levels (MHQ).
        • Women who are uncomfortable with their own body may be more apprehensive about engaging in sex or reach a point where they may experience squirting.
        • Social stigma and anxiety around the perception of squirting (“it’s just pee”) may influence how women react to and interact with the idea of experiencing squirting.

Key Takeaways

• This study was the first study of its kind to look at data from validated psychometric tools.
• Future research may wish to include longitudinal designs to look into the cause, as well as include a larger sample size.
  • Consider incorporating partner reports and couple-based assessments.
  • Consider looking into water consumption/hydration and experience with squirting.
• Researchers recommend clinicians consider a broader psychosexual approach when evaluating women reporting POF/squirting.
  • They stress it is important to provide accurate, non-discriminatory information about their bodies that dispel porn-related rumors and reinforce body positivity in the context of POF/squirting.

Resources:

Maseroli, E., Pesce, F., Yannas, D., Cipriani, S., Ravelli, S., Maggi, M., Vignozzi, L., & Jannini, E. A. (2026). The squirt game. psychosexual characteristics of women experiencing squirting: Insights from a case–control study. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 23(2). https://doi.org/10.1093/jsxmed/qdaf389