What physiological mechanisms cause female ejaculation and how do they vary with age?
Executive summary
Scientific literature distinguishes at least two phenomena commonly called “female ejaculation”: a small, whitish prostate-like secretion (often from Skene’s or “female prostate” glands) and larger-volume “squirting” that appears largely to be bladder urine expelled at orgasm; biochemical studies show PSA in ejaculate while ultrasonography and fluid assays implicate bladder origin for squirting [1] [2] [3]. Prevalence estimates vary widely (roughly 10–54% in some surveys) and studies disagree about mechanisms and function, so age-related patterns are poorly quantified in humans [4] [2] [5].
1. Two different fluids, two different mechanisms — what studies say
Clinical reviews and case studies separate “real” female ejaculation — a scant, whitish secretion from female prostatic (Skene’s) tissue containing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) — from high-volume squirting, which several studies show is largely involuntary bladder voiding during orgasm with a possible minor contribution from prostatic secretions [1] [2] [3] [5]. Ultrasound bladder monitoring and biochemical analyses underpin the squirting-as-urine conclusion [3]. Other authors note PSA and other markers in ejaculate, supporting a genuine glandular source for the smaller-volume fluid [5] [6].
2. The physiology behind glandular ejaculation and bladder expulsion
Glandular female ejaculation is explained anatomically by the clitourethrovaginal complex and Skene’s glands (sometimes termed the female prostate), which can secrete a protein-containing fluid at orgasm; orgasmic pelvic-floor muscle contractions and autonomic (supraspinal) control of pelvic organs coordinate expulsion [7] [5] [8]. By contrast, squirting resembles a micturition event: bladder filling dynamics and involuntary bladder emptying during intense pelvic contractions explain large-volume expulsions documented by imaging and fluid chemistry [3] [9].
3. Neurophysiology and the orgasmic cascade — shared elements
Both phenomena occur in the broader context of orgasm: autonomic shifts (sympathetic/parasympathetic), surges in cardiovascular and pelvic-muscle activity, and pontine/supraspinal control that orchestrates pelvic organ responses are described in the literature; researchers note parallels between ejaculation and micturition as “voiding activities” under supraspinal influence [10] [8]. The anterior vaginal wall (so-called “G‑spot”) and clitourethrovaginal tissues are implicated in sensory input that can trigger these downstream glandular or bladder responses [7] [11].
4. How common is it — and how does that complicate age claims?
Surveys and systematic reviews report wide prevalence ranges (often cited as roughly 10–54%) and find that female ejaculation can occur across ages, but definitions vary between studies (glandular FE versus squirting), which inflates disagreement about frequency and any age trends [4] [2] [12]. Available sources do not provide robust, longitudinal human data showing consistent age-related increases or decreases in either phenomenon; therefore claims about predictable age-related decline or rise are not found in current reporting [4] [2].
5. Mechanisms that could change with age — plausible pathways noted by researchers
Authors draw on general sexual‑aging biology to suggest mechanisms that might alter female ejaculatory patterns with age: hormonal shifts (menopause-related estradiol changes), pelvic floor muscle tone changes, medication effects that blunt arousal/orgasm, and lower genital blood flow could plausibly affect both glandular secretion and bladder control during orgasm [13] [14]. However, the reviewed sources emphasize that direct empirical studies isolating age effects on female ejaculation specifically are scarce [13] [14].
6. Disagreement, limitations and research gaps
Researchers remain divided: some biochemical and imaging studies argue squirting is mostly urine with marginal glandular input; other work stresses PSA and glandular secretions as evidence of true female ejaculation — both positions coexist in peer-reviewed reviews and case reports [3] [1] [5]. Systematic reviews call the field contentious, highlight inconsistent methods and terminology, and warn against conflating coital incontinence, vaginal transudate, and genuine glandular ejaculate [5] [2].
7. What this means for patients and clinicians
Clinically, when fluid expulsion at orgasm occurs without bothersome urinary symptoms it can be considered a physiological sexual response; diagnostic workup is recommended only if lower urinary tract symptoms suggest pathology [8] [9]. Counseling should acknowledge the two distinct mechanisms, the uncertain age trajectory, and that current science cannot definitively ascribe a reproductive function to female ejaculation [2] [6].
Limitations: this analysis uses the supplied sources only; many claims in popular discourse go beyond the cited studies. Competing interpretations are active in the literature and the field urgently needs standardized definitions, imaging/biochemistry in larger samples, and longitudinal age-focused studies to settle remaining disputes [5] [3].