When you Google the word ‘ejaculate’, you’ll see that the meaning of it mainly correlates with a male’s sexual ejaculation of semen at the point of climax, or orgasm. On a side note, the word also means to ‘cry out’ something quickly, which makes sense—but more to the point, females ejaculate too, so why is it not mentioned in the definition of the term? Actually, between 10 and 54 per cent of females do in fact ejaculate, and even better, they can in two different ways. What is female ejaculation, and why is it such a controversial phenomenon ? Here’s everything you need to know, including how to try it out if you so wish.

Well, for one, it’s not some urban legend. Female ejaculation is definitely real (although sometimes posed in porn, which is another story all together), it is the expulsion of fluid from a female’s urethra, which is the duct that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body, during orgasm or sexual arousal. There are two kinds of female ejaculation, one you may or may not know as ‘squirting’ which is a colourless fluid that…well, it does what its name says it does around the point of orgasm. The other ejaculation fluid is a lot like male semen in consistency and quantity, it’s typically thick and appears somewhat milky in colour.

There have been many studies on why this occurs in some women and not others. One particular scientific analysis of the expelled fluids, which was conducted by American sexologist Beverly Whipple in the 1980s discovered that urea and creatine, which are the chemical constituents of urine, were only present in the ejaculated fluid in very low levels. Regarding where the fluid supposedly comes from, the urea, this proved to be surprising. Although, the study also detected additional unexpected substances, such as prostate specific antigen, or PSA.

In males, PSA is an enzyme produced by the prostate, which produces a fluid that, together with sperm cells from the testicles and fluids from other glands, make up semen. The muscles of the prostate also ensure that the semen is forcefully pressed into the urethra and then expelled outwards during ejaculation. Female bodies also contain prostate tissue in structures known as the Skene’s glands, or paraurethral glands, which are located on the front wall of the vagina. Specialists believe that these glands play a crucial part in helping create the ‘juice’ that’s set loose during a female’s orgasmic squirt.

Further studies found that the fluid accumulates in the female bladder during arousal. Researchers, led by gynaecologist Samuel Salama monitored this evidence in one study by using ultrasound examinations confirming that the participants included in the study had empty bladders before sexual stimulation (masturbation). The women’s bladders started to fill during arousal, and then post ejaculation—their bladders were empty again.

A specialist in urology and andrology, Florian Wimpissinger, suggests that whether some women ejaculate fluid or not may come down to the variation in size and shape of the Skene glands, and that some women may not produce PSA. Sex educator Samantha Evans seconded this in telling the BBC that “The varying levels of development and size of these glands between individuals may partially explain why some women experience dramatic ejaculations while others don’t.”

Salama stated in his study that why some women experience ejaculation of either kind, and why some don’t, remains unclear. But he does however believe that every woman is capable of squirting, “If their partner knows what they are doing,” or whoever’s down there, including you. We’ll get into this in a bit.

There is a certain amount of controversy which has led to female ejaculation being hush hushed by society, mainly because, according to Evans, “the psychological fear of being seen to have wet themselves is what holds a lot of women back from squirting, rather than there being any physical obstacle stopping them from doing so.”

The reason behind the potential embarrassment of releasing fluid when climaxing may come from the lack of understanding on what function this fluid actually possesses. Some scientists believe that squirting may have a purpose beyond pleasure, which is to keep women peeing painlessly post-sex, others hypothesise that the ejaculatory fluid could flush harmful bacteria out of the urethra which commonly leads to urinary tract infections. Ultimately though, however and whatever the female body squirts, it’s very normal if it does. And it most certainly is nothing to be ashamed of. Afterall, sex is already messy, and liquid coming out of a woman during intercourse is realistically no different from liquid coming out of a male.

There are certain debates that are considered to be urolagnia, which is a fetish for urination, and potentially illegal according to obscenity laws. Understandably, this is a sketchy area. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) are responsible for enforcing bans on showing female ejaculation in British pornography due to claims that the scenes show urination, instead of real ejaculation, which of course leads to certain hygiene and health concerns.

Female ejaculation, or ‘squirting’ has also been described as “an intense and almost overwhelming sensation,” so why not try it out for yourselves?

Although these suggestions haven’t been proven in mass scientific studies, sex therapists, Alex Robboy being one, have launched research which proves the likelyhood of certain actions required to stimulate the probability of reaching a ‘squirting’ orgasm. Robboy told Women’s Health that many women who do ejaculate say that what gets them there is by stimulating the G Spot in particular.

The G Spot is located in an area about five to eight centimetres inside the vagina—it’s on the front wall (towards your belly button rather than your back). For some, this part of skin may also feel a little rougher in texture than the soft surrounding flesh. Rather than existing as an anatomical structure in itself, the G Spot is considered to be more of a ‘zone’ through which the Skene’s glands may be massaged, along with internal parts of the clitoris.

You, or your partner, can find your G Spot with your finger making a ‘come hither’ motion towards the front of your body, or buy a toy. If you climax using a vibrator of sorts and then continue to use it after your orgasm, it may be more likely to achieve. Squirting during sex can also be difficult, however, if you’re game to try, woman-on-top positions help you control the angle of his penis inside you, as you can guide the friction towards your G Spot.

Whether you squirt or don’t squirt though, there is absolutely no better or worse. Approach sex with an open mindedness, and it’s bound to be better for all. Don’t hold back!