Understanding the Skene’s glands
TL;DR
The Skene’s glands, located near the urethra and part of the clitoris, play a crucial role in female sexual arousal, potentially leading to so-called ‘g-spot orgasms’ and female ejaculation. These glands, analogous to the male prostate, may vary anatomically among women, affecting their sexual experience and health implications, including infections and cancer risks. This article delves into the history, anatomy, function, and clinical significance of the Skene’s glands, shedding light on their importance in female reproductive health.
The Skene’s glands are located on the upper wall of the vagina and around the lower end of the urethra. The Skene’s glands are made of the same cells as the male prostate and are known as a homologue (‘same as’).
The Skene’s glands are also called the lesser vestibular, periurethral or paraurethral glands, or increasingly the more correct name of the female prostate1.
The Skene’s glands drain both into the urethra and near the urethral opening, and are surrounded by tissue that includes a part of the clitoris extending up into the vagina. This tissue swells up with blood during sexual arousal.
The never-ending debate about female ejaculation, whether it even exists, etc. was discussed in Emanuele Jannini’s 2002 paper, whereby Jannini found that there are highly variable anatomical expressions of the Skene’s glands, with sometimes glands missing entirely in some women.
This means that if Skene’s glands cause female ejaculation and so called ‘g-spot orgasms‘, and some women have no idea what we’re talking about, an anatomical difference may be the ‘why’.
Composition of female prostatic fluid
The secretion exits from the urethra upon sexual stimulation in some women. The viscous white secretion that appears to be produced by the Skene’s glands is very similar in composition to prostatic fluid, including specific proteins and enzymes (Human Protein 1 and PDE5).
The fluid has lower levels of creatinine, but elevated levels of prostate specific antigen, prostatic acidic phosphatase, prostate specific acid phosphatase, and glucose.
The glands – the male prostate and Skene’s – appear to operate very similarly when examined closely. This is why researchers are now starting to call the Skene’s glands the female prostate.
The female prostate exists, but bizarrely, most diagrams of the female reproductive anatomy do not include the ducts to these glands (the outside exit point) at all and you could be forgiven for thinking these glands do not exist.
As mentioned, problematically in some women, the glands and ducts may not exist, complicating the issue.
Clinical implications of the Skene’s glands
The female prostate is important clinically for several reasons. The first is it can be the origin of infections and cancer. Additionally, HIV infection may occur here2.
Some rape cases may have mistakenly caused potentially innocent men to be found guilty based on the presence of PSA, at a time when it was believed that women did not have prostates and could therefore not produce PSA3.
Prostate-specific Antigen (PSA) ad Prostate-specific Acid Phosphatase (PSAP)
Women produce PSA from the prostate, of which elevated levels are one of the signs of cancer in the prostate in both men and women.
Does the female prostatic fluid serve an antimicrobial purpose?
Researchers looked at women who could ejaculate, and whether these secretions had an antimicrobial component deposited into the urethra. The team postulate that the secretions meant the woman was less likely to develop a urinary tract infection (UTIs) (particularly sex-induced UTIs).4
Female ejaculation (‘squirting’)
The bigger the Skene’s glands, the more of a ‘squirter’ a person is. Female ejaculation has been a complex topic because as previously mentioned, not all people with vaginas are able to do it, while others can’t help it.
History and discovery of the Skene’s glands
The female prostate was recognised by anatomist Regnier de Graaf way back in 1672. In 1880, Alexander Skene brought the attention back to these glands and ducts, which is why these glands are called Skene’s glands and/or ducts.
There is a move now to refer to these glands as the female prostate since that is the more accurate term for them.
Things that can go wrong with your Skene’s glands
References
- 1.Zaviačič M, Ablin RJ. The Female Prostate. JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Published online May 6, 1998:713-713. doi:10.1093/jnci/90.9.713
- 2.Ablin RJ. HIV-Related Protein in the Prostate: A Possible Reservoir of Virus. American Journal of Clinical Pathology. Published online May 1, 1991:579-579. doi:10.1093/ajcp/95.5.759b
- 3.Longo VJ. The female prostate. Urology. Published online July 1982:108-109. doi:10.1016/0090-4295(82)90556-8
- 4.Moalem S, Reidenberg JS. Does female ejaculation serve an antimicrobial purpose? Medical Hypotheses. Published online December 2009:1069-1071. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2009.07.024
Jessica is a degree-qualified naturopath (BHSc) specialising in vulvovaginal health and disease, based in Melbourne, Australia.
Jessica is the owner and lead naturopath of My Vagina, and is a member of the:
- International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD)
- International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH)
- National Vulvodynia Association (NVA) Australia
- New Zealand Vulvovaginal Society (ANZVS)
- Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS)