An investigation into the origins of a copious vaginal discharge during intercourse: “enough to wet the bed”‐that “is not urine”

Abstract

A case study of large‐volume vaginal discharge during intercourse originally prepared in 1979, is described, as is the course of investigation into its origin. It is argued that this “wetting of the bed” is not a pathological significance but is within the normal range and variation of the physiological function of the paraurethral glands of Skene. A 1982 addendum discusses developments in this field of sexual research, including the rediscovery of female ejaculation; 2 decades dominated by the “paradigm of cliterocentricity” and a recent shift back to the vagina, specifically the urethro‐vaginal body, in female sexual function. A 1983 addendum reports on an immunohistochemical demonstration of the homology between the female urethral glands and the male prostate. Evidence for the secretion of prostatic acid phosphatase by the female glands suggests an ejaculatory function equivalent to that of the male though without the gonadal, “seminal” component. Further investigations of female ejaculation are discussed.