He identified the source as the glandular structures and ducts surrounding the urethra. De Graaf discussed the original controversy but supported the Aristotelian view. In the 17th century, the Dutch anatomist Reinier de Graaf wrote an influential treatise on the reproductive organs Concerning the Generative Organs of Women which is much cited in the literature on this topic. This century saw an increasing understanding of female sexual anatomy and function, in particular the work of the Bartholin family in Denmark. In the 17th century, François Mauriceau described glands at the female urethral meatus that "pour out great quantities of saline liquor during coition, which increases the heat and enjoyment of women". In the 16th century, the Dutch physician Laevinius Lemnius, referred to how a woman "draws forth the man's seed and casts her own with it".
The reasons for the interest in female ejaculation have been questioned by feminist writers. Female ejaculation has been discussed in anatomical, medical, and biological literature throughout recorded history. The suggestion that women can expel fluid from their genital area as part of sexual arousal has been described by women's health writer Rebecca Chalker as "one of the most hotly debated questions in modern sexology". Reports on the volume of fluid expelled vary considerably, starting from amounts that would be imperceptible to a woman, to mean values of 1–5 ml.
For instance Kratochvíl (1994) surveyed 200 women and found that 6% reported ejaculating, an additional 13% had some experience and about 60% reported release of fluid without actual gushing. Other studies find anywhere from 10–69%, depending on the definitions and methods used. In questionnaire surveys, 35–50% of women report that they have at some time experienced the gushing of fluid during orgasm. 3.1.2 Debate on women's pleasure in their sexuality.3.1.1 Debate on the existence of ejaculation.The function of female ejaculation, however, remains unclear. Whether the fluid is secreted by the Skene's gland through and around the urethra has also been a topic of discussion while the exact source and nature of the fluid remain controversial among medical professionals, and are related to doubts over the existence of the G-spot, there is substantial evidence that the Skene's gland is the source of female ejaculation. It is common for any secretion that exits the vagina, and for fluid that exits the urethra, during sexual activity to be referred to as female ejaculate, which has led to significant confusion in the literature. Much of the research into the composition of the fluid focuses on determining whether it is, or contains, urine. Research has suffered from highly selected participants, narrow case studies, or very small sample sizes, and consequently has yet to produce significant results. A failure to adopt common definitions and research methodology by the scientific community has been the primary contributor to this lack of experimental data. There have been few studies on female ejaculation. įemale ejaculation is physiologically distinct from coital incontinence, with which it is sometimes confused. It is also known colloquially as squirting (or gushing), although research indicates that female ejaculation and squirting are different phenomena, squirting being attributed to a sudden expulsion of liquid that partly comes from the bladder and contains urine. There is substantial evidence that the Skene's gland is the source of female ejaculation.įemale ejaculation is characterized as an expulsion of fluid from the Skene's gland at the lower end of the urethra during or before an orgasm.