Moaning is often interpreted as a sign of “good sex,” as it arises from arousal, desire, comfort, or effective stimulation by a partner during the act. This is confirmed by several of the (few) studies conducted on the subject.
However, underlying these sexual vocalizations are social norms and gender differences that gradually dictate how sex “should” sound. This obscures other aspects of moaning—such as the fact that it can also signal discomfort.
A recent study in the journal *Social Sciences* (2026), focusing on the first sexual experiences of 313 adults, explains that moaning is a form of sexual vocalization—a category that also includes linguistic expressions like dirty talk, as well as whimpers, sighs, panting, squeals, or screams. Nevertheless, the study showed that within this spectrum, moaning remained the most natural expression of pleasure.
In fact, an article in the journal *Evolution and Human Behavior* (2024) demonstrated that the peak of a sexual encounter (whether or not it leads to orgasm) is easily detected by the intensification of these vocalizations. It even showed that, during orgasm, men moaned almost as much as women.
Of course, there is also a physiological explanation for this. As sex educator Camila Lavalle explained, arousal increases autonomic nervous system activity, alters breathing, and heightens muscle tension; consequently, spontaneous vocalizations also increase.
However, not every moan is a sign of pleasure.
“There are times when moaning occurs because something is painful, uncomfortable, or unpleasant—or when it is painful or uncomfortable but *is* pleasurable,” noted Lavalle, who is also a spokesperson for JoyClub Latam. “It doesn’t always mean ‘I like this.'”
Sexual experiences and needs are as diverse as the people themselves. Therefore, some people vocalize more than others—whether in terms of volume, intensity, or duration—and, as Lavalle noted, this is not necessarily linked to the pleasure they are experiencing. In other words—and to use “practical” examples—there are those who moan loudly without feeling aroused, just as there are others who reach orgasm in complete silence.
“That is why it is so important to verbalize, ask questions, and communicate whether or not something is pleasing you, alongside the sounds being made.”
