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Moaning is not a sign of orgasm, but here’s why it may be the spice your sex life needs

A recent University of Ottawa study deduced that moaning during sex is not a measure of an orgasm. But let's tell you why moaning may not be so bad after all!
vaginal tightening
Is moaning during sex good or bad? Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Radhika Bhirani Published: 13 Aug 2022, 20:22 pm IST
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With the female orgasm deeply shrouded in mystery, the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ of moaning during sex have often been considered a sign of a woman nearing the big O. But a recent study has busted that myth loud and clear!

Moaning is not a measure of orgasm, says study

A recent University of Ottawa study, published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, looked into how to ‘measure the female orgasm’. The study was based its result by questioning 637 women about their personal sex life (through masturbation) and also when partnered. Questions were asked using Orgasm Rating Scale (ORS) and the Bodily Sensations Scale (BSOS).

For those who may be hearing these terms for the first time, ORS measures the experience of orgasm based on cognition and the senses, BSOS is more about physiological sensations.

After studying the responses, the researchers concluded, “We recommend that the item ‘moaning’ be removed from the measure permanently”, adding that it didn’t seem like an involuntary response when women hit climax.

An orgasm is elusive for many women
An orgasm is elusive for many women. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Pleasurable satisfaction, according to most women surveyed, turned out to be the most common cognitive sign of orgasm. However, emotional intimacy and shooting sensations, which are highly talked about otherwise, were the least common.

And when it came to body sensations, ‘extragenital sensations, genital sensations and spasms, nociceptive sensations and sweating’ were the winners. Here. anal contractions and moaning found the bottom spot.

However, that is not to say that every woman who may be moaning during sex may be faking an orgasm!

Could a woman who moans during sex be faking an orgasm?

Health Shots reached out to Dr Niveditha Manokaran, a Sydney-based clinician in Sexual and Reproductive medicine and HIV medicine, to understand the elusive orgasm a little better.

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“Orgasm is or can be the final end point to an amazing sexual encounter. However, it does not necessarily have to be the end point. Beautiful and memorable sex can end without an orgasm too,” says Dr Manokaran.

And to achieve an amazing end point, there are several factors that need to be taken into account. Some of these may be; Do you like the person you are having sex with? Are you attracted to them? Was there caressing involved? Was there foreplay? Are you both able to communicate what gives each other immense pleasure?

Communication is important for good sex
Communication is important for good sex. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Why moaning during sex may actually be good for your sex life

Dr Manokaran says human sounds are a very key expression of emotions, and communication is the master key to good sex.

“We are familiar with a grunting noise when we are angry, ‘yumm’ sound when our taste buds are stimulated, and sigh when we are frustrated. In a similar way, when one is experiencing pleasure, moaning can be its form of expression,” she explains.

Moaning, for many people is a sign of validation that something may be going right between the sheets – that the partner may be good in bed, or that you are really feeling the pleasure! It may not be a sign of orgasm, as per the study, but it may just rev up your sex life as part of the foreplay.

“Moaning can also be used to seduce a partner. As sex has various senses that are stimulated, moaning arouses one sexually through the sense of hearing,” she adds.

Busting one myth about noisy sex, she asserts that it is not something only women do.

“Moaning is not gender specific. Both men and women moan. I guess it means the same for both. Sexual arousal plays a very important role in enhancing the mood and helping to reach orgasms,” says the expert, who is also one of Instagram’s most popular sexual health educators.

What is an orgasm
Don’t run after an orgasm . Image courtesy: Shutterstock

The mystery behind female orgasm

For most, achieving an orgasm aka climax is the peak of pleasure and the end of the sexual act. But it does not have to be, says Dr Manokaran.

While men end their orgasm with an ejaculation and it could take a while before some of them get another erection, women are much more capable of multiple orgasms.

“However women’s orgasms are not characteristically completed by ejaculation, and hence it makes it difficult to know if they are faking an orgasm or not. Some women tend to fake orgasms as a way to let their partner know that they want to stop the act and some do to arouse their partner,” she says.

Explaining the physiology of orgasm, she adds, “What happens within our body is, there is a gush and peak in hormone levels followed by a sudden drop. Yes, it’s true that some struggle to attain an orgasm and can take longer than usual. However, there are many ways one can work on understanding their body and pleasure.

Ways to increase your sexual pleasure

1. Masturbation and self-exploration can make you more familiar with your body, pleasure and your needs.
2. Arousal through all your senses, foreplay, caressing, moaning and sex talk, plays an important role in the intensity of the sex.
3. Emotional attachment with someone who you are having sex with, takes it up by another notch.

Explore self-pleasure with masturbation
There’s no harm exploring self-pleasure with masturbation! Image courtesy: Shutterstock

There’s nothing wrong if you haven’t felt an orgasm

Aahhh… you can heave a sigh of relief with what Dr Manokaran says next!

“If you feel like you have never felt or reached that peak pleasure after which you wanted to stop making love and just cuddle in, there is a good chance that you haven’t had an orgasm. And that’s okay because ‘Sex is like a beautiful journey, enjoy the process and not wait for the destination!”

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About the Author

Radhika Bhirani is a journalist with close to 15 years of experience in the Indian media industry. After writing extensively on health, lifestyle and entertainment, she leads the English content team at Health Shots. She has a special interest in writing on mental health and wellness. ...Read More

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