Yes, some women do ejaculate a thick, milky, white, or gray fluid when they reach orgasm. But not all do, and some women might not realize that they do.

The notion of female ejaculation was recorded as early as 2,000 years ago, but scientists still have many questions about its composition and purpose. For many years, scientists thought that the fluid was urine, and women often worry that this is the case. But further studies have found that the ejaculate is different from urine.

Female ejaculate is thought to originate with the Skene’s glands (also called the paraurethral glands or “female prostate”), which are located along the wall of the vagina, close to the urethra (the tube that urine flows through when it leaves the body). Some scientists believe the Skene’s glands are near the G-spot, although the existence of the G-spot is debated by experts.

Scientists have discovered prostate specific antigen (PSA) in female ejaculate in some women. PSA is a substance that is thought to protect the urethra from bacteria. (Note: Women do not have a prostate gland, but the PSA found in female ejaculate is similar to what is found in men’s semen.)

It is difficult to know exactly how many women ejaculate. One study published in 2017 found that almost 70% of women do. Other estimates range from 10% to 50% of women. In some cases, the fluid flows backward into the bladder, so some women might not be aware that they are ejaculating. The amount of ejaculate can vary, too.

Female ejaculation is sometimes confused with “squirting.” Squirting is also a release of fluid during sexual activity. However, squirting isn’t limited to orgasm; some women squirt when they’re aroused. In addition, the liquid released during squirting is transparent, not white or gray. And it comes in larger quantities than ejaculate.

Some experts believe that squirting fluid could be diluted urine. Researchers have reported that the fluid comes from the bladder and contains urea, a compound found in urine.

Some women feel embarrassed when they ejaculate, but often partners are not bothered by it at all. Others worry if they don’t ejaculate, but it’s important to remember that not all women do. Sex can be pleasurable either way.

Women who notice any unusual vaginal secretions or discharges should see their gynecologist.

Learn more:

• What is vaginal discharge and what is the purpose of it?
  

Resources

• Clinical Anatomy - “Female ejaculation: An update on anatomy, history, and controversies"
  Rodriguez, Felix D., et al.
  (Full-text. January 2021)
  https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ca.23654
  
  
• Healthline.com - “All About Skene’s Glands” 
  Cherney, Kristeen
  (December 1, 2020)
  https://www.healthline.com/health/skene-gland
  
  
• “Everything You Need to Know About Female Ejaculation”
  Santos-Longhurst, Adrienne
  (November 12, 2019)
  https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sex/female-ejaculation
  
  
• The Journal of Sexual Medicine - “PM-05 Prevalence and Characterization of Female Ejaculation. Cross-sectional Study”
  De La Hoz, F.J. Espitia
  (Abstract. Published: December 1, 2017)
  https://www.jsm.jsexmed.org/article/S1743-6095(17)31510-2/fulltext
  
  
• Medical News Today - “What is female ejaculation?”
  Barrell, Amanda
  (January 20, 2020)
  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323953