Squirting and sexually transmitted diseases
Squirting – the word alone arouses curiosity, sparks discussions and causes heated debates. But what is actually behind this extravagant term? Is it a myth, an ability that only some people have, or a physical reaction that is in principle accessible to all people with vulvas? In fact, squirting is a fascinating expression of sexual pleasure that has long since moved out of the dirty corner into the realm of scientific interest and represents an important part of sex-positive research. Not only education is needed here, but also a good dose of removal of taboos.
What is squirting?
Squirting – or female ejaculation – occurs in some people with vulvas when they are aroused or reach orgasm. This release of fluid can vary greatly in quantity, consistency and origin and is often misunderstood.
For some it is a deeply satisfying experience, for others it remains a challenge. For decades, scientists have debated whether squirting is a type of ejaculation or urine that collects in the bladder and is then released. But regardless of the scientific analysis, squirting has one common denominator: for many people, it is an expression of intense sexual ecstasy.
For s.a.m health, the question is now interesting: Are HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases transmitted through squirting. As a quick reminder: Bacterial sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea or chlamydia are transmitted via mucosal contact, not via bodily fluids. However, the exchange of bodily fluids that contain a high concentration of HIV can lead to HIV transmission.
So what is squirting all about?
The squirting fluid consists of urine, while the ejaculate in female ejaculation (in the narrower sense) is a secretion of the paraurethral gland (also known as the “Skene gland”). Both (squirting and female ejaculation) take place simultaneously during the female orgasm, which is why both are often summarized under both squirting and female ejaculation (in the broader sense). The paraurethral gland is also referred to by some as the “female prostate”, which can sometimes cause confusion because cis women do not have a prostate, whereas trans women usually do. On the other hand, the secretions of the prostate and paraurethral gland are very similar.
Is it possible to contract a sexually transmitted disease through squirting?
Urine is sterile and definitely does not transmit HIV (“squirting”). The secretion of the paraurethral gland can also contain HIV in rare cases, but if it does, then in such low concentrations that the female ejaculate is not suitable for HIV transmission. The fluid relevant for HIV infection is neither the urine nor the secretion of the paraurethral gland, but the vaginal fluid.
The HI virus in the vaginal fluid, on the other hand, originates from the cervical glands (the glands of the cervix) and the secretions of the vaginal epithelium, and to a lesser extent also from the secretions of the Bartholini glands. For the anatomy of the paraurethral gland and the Bartholini glands.
The pathogens of bacterial sexually transmitted diseases colonize the mucous membranes of the vagina, cervix, throat and/or rectum (gonorrhoea, chlamydia…. ) or are found in large numbers in the mucous membrane defect (syphilis), but generally not in the ejaculate, regardless of who has secreted it. Neither in the “male” nor in the “female”.
This is why we usually say: “bacterial sexually transmitted diseases are transmitted via mucosal contacts, HIV and HBV via body fluids”. It is a common misconception that all sexually transmitted infections are primarily transmitted through bodily fluids. But this is not the case.
This misunderstanding is most obvious in the case of human papillomaviruses (HPV), the pathogens that cause genital warts, certain subtypes of which are also held responsible for cervical and anal cancer. HPV is transmitted via skin cells, so bodily fluids play no role in the transmission of HPV.
On the other hand: If, for example, a person has vaginal gonorrhea and you have sex with this person, then gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia can be transmitted with every oral-vaginal contact and with every finger or dildo play. How often contact with the female ejaculate (in the broader sense) occurs in isolation during sex (without touching and without foreplay) – there is probably no data on this.
The previous explanations about (cis) women also apply to trans men without gender reassignment surgery (with colpectomy) and to non-binary people with female genitalia; trans women, including those with neo-vagina, have a prostate, so the information about the bartolin and parauretral glands does not apply to them.
If you want to experience squirting, you can be guided by your own curiosity and try out different stimulation techniques as well as relaxed openness. A relaxed and loving atmosphere in which curiosity is allowed often helps to relieve pressure and let go – two essential ingredients for success when experimenting with squirting. It is also important that no body “has to”: whether squirting occurs or not is in no way indicative of pleasure or sexual “performance”.
HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases are not transmitted by squirting alone.
