A quick sniff, lick, or touch test will usually do the trick, especially if the fluid came from your penis. If you have a vagina, it can be a bit trickier, so that’s what this article will focus on.
Although people of any anatomy can experience accidental urine leakage during sexual activity, it’s more common among people who have a vagina.
Feeling like you need to pee when you’re aroused is also fairly common due to the close proximity of the clitoris and urethral opening. Stimulating one can inadvertently stimulate the other.
Plus, vaginal penetration can put pressure on your bladder, potentially leading to the unintentional release of urine.
If you have a penis, there’s an anatomical process in place to help prevent this. The muscles at the base of the bladder contract during sexual arousal, temporarily blocking entry from the bladder to the urethra.
This allows sperm cells, seminal vesicle fluid, and prostate fluid to enter the urethra and exit the body during ejaculation. Afterward, once feelings of arousal subside, the muscles at the base of your bladder will unclench.
Ejaculating and squirting often occur alongside orgasm, while urination is usually a distinct bodily function.
“The sensation of having an orgasm is actually quite different from the sensation of releasing urine either voluntarily or involuntary,” says Felice Gersh, MD.
“It’s common for orgasm to be accompanied by changes in breathing, increased heart rate, and flushing sensation all over the body,” she says, noting that none of these symptoms happen during urination.
If you’re trying to discern whether you just ejaculated, squirted, or peed, this chart may help. These characteristics are usually the same regardless of your anatomy.
| Ejaculate | Squirt | Urine | |
| Color | white | clear | yellow |
| Taste | basic | sweet | bitter or acidic |
| Smell | milky | wheaty | salty |
The vagina naturally produces lubrication. The volume and consistency depend on a variety of factors, but it’s common to experience some degree of wetness throughout the month.
Secretions related to sexual stimulation or arousal are produced by the Bartholin glands (located around the vaginal opening) and Skene’s glands (located around the urethral opening). It’s usually clear, odorless, and slippery.
The Skene’s glands can also produce a small amount of ejaculate, which is typically milky and thick. You might notice this fluid pooling around the vaginal opening or a sticky streak of it on your fingers or toy after penetration.
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, ejaculate and squirt are two different fluids.
Ejaculate is thick, whitish, and secreted in small amounts from the Skene’s glands. Squirt is clear, watery, and released in a gush-like expulsion from the urethra.
Scientifically, ejaculate is similar to seminal fluid. It contains a high quantity of prostate-specific antigens, fructose, and glucose.
Squirt contains prostate-specific antigens, urea, creatinine, and uric acid.
Squirt and urine are both released from the urethra, so it’s natural to wonder if these fluids feel the same when exiting the body.
Although the buildup to squirting can feel similar to urinary urgency, the actual release of fluids feels much different. Squirting is often described as an intense eruption or burst of fluid while peeing is usually more controlled.
Squirting may feel like a sudden tightening followed by a soothing release of muscles.
“Usually, however, squirting isn’t quite as full-body as having an orgasm,” explains Gersh. “But it’s usually more pleasurable than taking a pee would be.”
First things first: Breathe. Sex features a whole slew of bodily fluids! It’s messy! It’s wet! So if you did pee, no big.
Immediately afterward, let your comfort levels and hygiene preferences dictate your next move. In general, it’s a good idea to change your linens, take a shower, and disinfect any sex toys that you used prior to.
Whether you tell your partner is up to you. You might say:
- “That felt different than usual! I think I may have peed a little bit. Did you notice anything different in how my body was responding?”
- “Baby, can you get out of bed for a second? I peed a little bit during sex, so I want to toss these blankets into the wash.”
Sharing this kind of intel can be vulnerable. The way they respond will tell you a lot about their suitability as a long-term partner. No lover who deserves you will make you feel bad about anything your body did during sex!
If you accidentally peed during sex once or twice, there’s no need to ring the alarm. But if it becomes a regular thing, it’s important to talk with a healthcare professional.
Frequently peeing during sex is known as coital incontinence. It could be a symptom of pelvic floor dysfunction, urethral dysfunction, or another form of incontinence, such as stress incontinence.
Understanding the cause can help you and your healthcare professional decide on a course of treatment. Coital incontinence, for example, can be treated with bladder training, pelvic floor therapy, and prescription medication.
The vulva and vagina release many different fluids throughout the month, so it makes sense that you would want to understand what’s happening and when.
But before you work hard to find the answer, consider whether it’s general interest or health-mindedness — not shame — that’s fueling your investigation.
As Gersh puts it, “Some people are so ashamed by what their body does or doesn’t do during sex that they aren’t able to experience pleasure.” And pleasure, my dear reader, is your birthright.
Gabrielle Kassel (she/her) is a queer sex educator and wellness journalist who is committed to helping people feel the best they can in their bodies. In addition to Healthline, her work has appeared in publications such as Shape, Cosmopolitan, Well+Good, Health, Self, Women’s Health, Greatist, and more! In her free time, Gabrielle can be found coaching CrossFit, reviewing pleasure products, hiking with her border collie, or recording episodes of the podcast she co-hosts called Bad In Bed. Follow her on Instagram @Gabriellekassel.