Women who have sex often experience fluid expulsion. It’s called squirting or female ejaculation. The fluid doesn’t come from the bladder but rather from the Skene glands, akin to the male prostate. Scientists still don’t know precisely why we ejaculate. But what they do know is that it’s beneficial for our health.
Reduced Stress
Unlike urine, a few milliliters of a thick milky secretion is ejected during orgasm when you make a woman squirt. It’s called the vulva secretion, and it’s not to be confused with cervical fluid that helps lubricate the urethra during sexual activity. It’s a combination of hormones, including endorphins, and natural opiates, that make us feel good and reduce stress. There’s also serotonin, which boosts mood and improves sleep quality. And prolactin, the chemical that initiates milk production during pregnancy and plays a crucial role in bonding, also occurs during orgasms. The oxytocin boost from orgasms dials down your stress levels and even boosts your immune system. Unsurprisingly, one study found that women with regular sex tend to be less prone to colds and flu.
Increased Brain Activity
It’s no secret that orgasm makes the brain incredibly active. The flood of hormones and sensory input sends signals all over the body, increasing activity in cortical and subcortical regions, according to a 2013 study.
Interestingly, the nucleus accumbens is one area of the brain that’s particularly active during orgasm. This region is responsible for the reward system, so unsurprisingly, orgasm gives us pleasure. The researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure the brain’s response during orgasm. They found that brain activity was significantly higher at orgasm than during recovery. During orgasm, activity peaked in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, insula, cingulate gyrus, and right angular gyrus. This is the same area of the brain linked to feelings of transcendence, so it’s no wonder orgasm feels like an out-of-body experience.
Better Sleep
During orgasm, the body releases hormones that promote restful sleep. These include serotonin, which regulates sleep-wake cycles and helps your brain produce melatonin. Although women may not talk about it often, female ejaculation is a normal part of the sexual experience. Also known as squirting, it releases thick white fluid from the vulva during orgasm. The fluid comes from the paraurethral glands, which are located on either side of the urethra. Also known as the Skene’s glands, the fluid they secrete has a similar composition to seminal fluid in men. It contains prostate-specific antigen (PSA), fructose, and glucose, giving it its sweet taste. Increasing awareness of female ejaculation can help to battle the stigma surrounding it and encourage people to take advantage of this release’s pleasure.
Increased Self-Esteem
Despite its legendary reputation, female ejaculation is quite common. While scientists don’t know what exactly causes ejaculation, they do know that the secretion of fluid during sexual arousal is normal. The amount of fluid can range from tiny drops to gushing streams. Some women may ejaculate but are unaware because the fluid often flows backward into the bladder. This is known as squirting. Although it has some components, such as urine (creatinine and urea), it is not the same as urinary release, which occurs when the bladder is filled up to capacity. One study found that women with high sexual self-efficacy — believing in one’s ability to achieve pleasure from a partner — were more likely to experience orgasms. However, it is also essential for women to communicate well with their partners to create a satisfying sexual experience. This is the first step to achieving more frequent, mind-blowing orgasms.
Increased Muscle Tone
Some women, known as “squirters,” lose a small amount of fluid during orgasm. This liquid is called female ejaculate, and it comes from the paraurethral glands, also known as the Skene’s glands or the female prostate, located on either side of the urethra. It is a milky white substance, not pee. Some women have reported squirting as little as a few milliliters of fluid, while others report that they “squirt” a significant amount—some have even said it looks like they wet the bed! The type of liquid released depends on the position and level of arousal and can vary between women. It may smell and taste like watery milk or have no smell at all. It can also vary in color, from clear to creamy white. A 2015 study found that sexually induced orgasms can increase the number of leukocytes (white blood cells that protect against illness and infection) in your body. These cells help to fight inflammation and infections, as well as heal wounds. This is a good thing! Having regular orgasms can also strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, which is very important for a healthy bladder.
