Moaning isn’t a sign of orgasm, but it might be the boost your sex life needs

With the female orgasm deeply shrouded in mystery, ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ moans during sex have often been considered a sign of a woman approaching the big O. But a recent study has debunked that myth loud and clear!

Study says moaning is not a measure of orgasm

A recent University of Ottawa study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine looked at how to “measure female orgasm‘. The study based its result on questioning 637 women about their personal sex life (with masturbation) and also about their partnership. Questions were asked using the Orgasm Scale (ORS) and Body Sensation Scale (BSOS).

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

After studying the responses, the researchers concluded, “We recommend that the ‘moaning’ element be permanently removed from the measurement,” adding that it does not appear to be an involuntary response when women climax.

According to the majority of the surveyed women, pleasant satisfaction turned out to be the most common cognitive sign of orgasm. But there was the least amount of emotional intimacy and shooting feelings, which are otherwise talked about a lot.

And when it came to bodily sensations, ‘extragenital sensations, genital sensations and spasms, nociceptive sensations and sweating’ won. Here. anal contractions and moaning have found a bottom.

However, this does not mean that every woman who moans during sex can fake an orgasm!

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

Health Shots reached out to Dr. Niveditha Manokaran, a Sydney-based clinical specialist in sexual, reproductive and HIV medicine, to understand the elusive orgasm a little better.

“Orgasm is or can be the end point of an incredible sexual encounter. But it doesn’t have to be the end point. Beautiful and unforgettable sex can also end without an orgasm,” says Dr. Manokaran.

There are several factors to consider in order to arrive at a stunning end point. Some of these can be; Do you like the person you’re having sex with? Are you attracted to them? Was there fondling involved? Was it foreplay? Are you both able to communicate, to each other’s immense satisfaction?

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

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

“We know the grunt when we’re angry, the ‘yum’ sound when our taste buds are stimulated, and the sigh when we’re frustrated. In a similar way, when someone is experiencing pleasure, moaning can be their form of expression,” he explains.

For many people, moaning is a sign of confirmation that something might be going on between the sheets – that your partner is good in bed or that you really feel pleasure! According to a study, this may not be a sign of orgasm, but it may just liven up your sex life as part of foreplay.

“Moaning can also seduce a partner. Since sex stimulates different senses, moaning arouses a person sexually through the sense of hearing,” he adds.

He busts one myth about noisy sex and claims that it’s not just women who do it.

“Moaning is not gender specific. Both men and women moan. I think it means the same for both of us. Sexual arousal plays a very important role in improving mood and helping you reach orgasm,” says the expert, who is also one of the most popular sexual health educators on Instagram.

The secret behind the female orgasm

For most, reaching orgasm or climax is the peak of pleasure and the end of the sexual act. However, it is not necessary, says dr. Manokaran.

While men end their orgasms with ejaculation and it may take some time for some of them to achieve an erection again, women are much more capable of multiple orgasms.

“However, women’s orgasms are usually not completed by ejaculation, so it is difficult to know whether they are faking an orgasm or not. Some women tend to fake orgasms as a way of letting their partner know they want to stop the act, and some also do it to turn their partner on,” she says.

Explaining the physiology of orgasm, he adds: “What happens in our body is an outburst and a peak in hormone levels, followed by a sudden drop. Yes, it is true that some people struggle to reach orgasm and it may take longer than usual. But there are many ways we can work on understanding our body and pleasure.

Ways to increase sexual pleasure

1. Self-gratification and self-exploration can make you more familiar with your body, pleasure, and needs.
2. Arousal through all the senses, foreplay, stroking, moaning and talking about sex plays an important role in the intensity of sex.
3. Emotional attachment to someone you have sex with goes up another level.

There is nothing wrong if you haven’t had an orgasm yet

Aahhh… you can breathe a sigh of relief at the following opinion of Dr. Manokaran!

“If you feel like you’ve never felt or achieved that ultimate pleasure that makes you want to stop making love and just cuddle, chances are you haven’t had an orgasm. And that’s okay because ‘Sex is like a beautiful journey, enjoy the process and don’t wait for the destination!’