16 Sexual Positions for Healthy Sex

Most of us are familiar with classic sexual positions like missionary or doggy style, but have you heard of the coital alignment technique or the Eiffel Tower?

There are many ways to keep your sex life exciting, from using sex toys to sexting, but one of the easiest ways is to switch up your sex positions.

Studies show that couples who report being sexually satisfied are more likely to inject erotic novelty into their relationships. One way to get this sort of novelty is to try out new sex positions.

Below, we’ve gathered some of the best sex positions out there and broken down what makes each one so special.

How much time do you have?

Though the Kama Sutra, the ancient Indian text of sexuality, lists just 64 different positions, the number of sex positions is limitless. After all, you can have sex sitting, standing, or lying down from multiple angles, with multiple props, and even with multiple people of various sexual orientations.

Unfortunately, we can’t share all of them here, but we’ve listed some of our favorites and explained why they should be in your rotation.

Here are some new and not-so-new sex positions to try tonight:

• Missionary position

• Doggy style

• Cowgirl position

• Reverse cowgirl

• Tabletop

• Side by side

• Spooning

• Upstanding citizen

• Wheelbarrow

• Pretzel

• Pile driver

• The snake

• Coital alignment technique

• 69

• Mutual masturbation

• Eiffel Tower

Missionary Position

We know, we know. The missionary position may seem like the most boring sex position ever, but it’s also highly underrated.

How to do it: In this face-to-face, intimate position, the receiving partner lies on their back, and the other partner lies face down on top.

Why we love it: If the receiving partner is female, the missionary position is a gratifying one because it allows the penetrating partner to apply direct clitoral stimulation with each bump and grind (as long as they get the angle right).

The missionary position is highly intimate, allowing partners to hold eye contact during the sexual experience. This position also allows you and your partner to explore each other’s erogenous zones, which are highly sensitive hotspots located all over the body. When these hotspots are touched, they can enhance arousal and pleasure.

The simple nature of the missionary position also means it’s easy to modify. Your partner can hold a vibrator to her vulva for extra stimulation, or you can wear a hands-free vibrating cock ring to enhance pleasure for both of you.

Doggy Style

It’s not the most creative name for a sex position, and it doesn’t apply direct pressure to the clitoris as the missionary style does. Still, you shouldn't overlook the benefits of doggy style.

How to do it: The receiving partner gets on all fours, and the penetrating partner inserts their penis from behind while kneeling or standing at the edge of the bed.

Why we love it: While the penetrating partner doesn’t have access to the clitoris from this position, it does offer G-spot stimulation and deeper penetration than missionary. Your partner can still apply clitoral stimulation with one hand or a vibrator for more sensation.

We should note that there have been reports of penile fractures with doggy style, so always be mindful of safety when having sex in this position. A penile fracture is a serious injury that can occur if your penis slips out during sex and thrusts forcefully against your partner.

Cowgirl/Cowboy Position

The cowgirl position is also called woman on top — or cowboy position if the receiving partner is male. You can use cowgirl and cowboy positions for vaginal or anal sex. They grant the receiving partner more power, allowing them to control the angle and depth of penetration.

How to do it: In this position, the penetrating partner lies on their back, and the receiving partner straddles them. It’s kind of like missionary, but upside down.

Why we love it: The receiving partner in a sexual situation is often thought of as the submissive one, but this position refutes that. The receiving partner has complete control, choosing the pace and depth to find the sweet spot that works best for them. It also minimizes pain and discomfort if they’ve experienced that in the past.

Studies show that women are more likely to have orgasms when they’re on top because they control the depth and rhythm of intercourse.

Cowgirl is just as intimate as missionary. When facing each other, you can gaze into each other’s eyes to enhance connection.

If the receiving partner gets tired up there, you can also support some of their weight by grabbing onto their hips or thighs the next time they thrust upwards.

Like doggy style, this position also has a risk of penile fracture, so be careful.

Reverse Cowgirl

Reverse cowgirl or reverse cowboy offers the same advantages as regular cowgirl/cowboy without the face-to-face component.

How to do it: The penetrating partner lies down, and the receiving partner straddles their hips with their back to their partner.

Why we love it: Like cowgirl/cowboy, this position puts the receiving partner in the dominant position so they can find the rhythm and depth they like. But this angle also offers deeper penetration and potential G-spot stimulation.

Another benefit of reverse cowgirl, besides the view, is that if the receiving partner is uncomfortable with eye contact or hesitant about being watched while self-stimulating, they may prefer this position.

One variation of this position is having the penetrating partner sit up or prop themselves up against pillows or the headboard. This may make it easier to explore your partner’s erogenous zones, particularly the nape of the neck and the breasts.

Tabletop

It’s called tabletop, but this position can also be used on the edge of the bed, countertop, hood of the car... the list goes on and on.

How to do it: The penetrating partner stands at the edge of the table, bed, or whatever surface they’re using and enters their partner, who is lying down facing them.

Why we love it: The tabletop position offers deeper penetration due to the downward thrusting angle of the penetrating partner. Deeper penetration often means more G-spot stimulation during sex.

This position is also ideal for partners with significantly different heights because it helps align their genitals.

Like missionary and cowgirl/cowboy, the tabletop position allows for face-to-face intimacy, sustained eye contact, and kissing.

Side-by-Side

Think you’re too tired for sex? Consider trying the low-pressure side-by-side position.

How to do it: Partners lie on their sides and have sex while facing each other. The receiving partner’s top leg can wrap around the penetrating partner’s hips.

Why we love it: The side-by-side is highly intimate, allowing for face-to-face connection and the most skin contact.

It’s also less work than most positions because both of you are lying down — a great choice for morning sex after a long night out.

Spooning

Take your cuddling to the next level by taking off your clothes.

How to do it: Like the side-by-side position, partners have sex while lying on their sides, but the penetrating partner enters from the big spoon position, AKA from behind.

Why we love it: This is another low-key position for those lazy mornings when both of you want to have sex with the least effort possible. But it also intensifies all the benefits of spooning or cuddling in general.

Affectionate touch is known to reduce cortisol, the primary stress hormone. When you’re in the spoon position, your whole body is touching, but you also have easy access to your partner’s neck and shoulders, which you can shower with kisses or a massage.

Some research shows that women who received affectionate touch via neck and shoulder massage had significantly lower cortisol and other stress responses, such as lower heart rate, than women who received verbal support or had no social interaction with their partner.

Upstanding Citizen

No, this sex position doesn’t require you to pick up litter or volunteer at the local library. It’s another standing position, with the added benefit of showing off those biceps.

How to do it: The penetrating partner stands upright and carries their partner while penetrating them. The receiving partner can wrap their legs around their partner’s hips and their arms around their partner’s neck while being carried.

Why we love it: You’ve probably seen this sex position in a ton of rom-coms. Its power is in showing off your power. The upstanding citizen is an impressive move that will wow your partner with your strength and dexterity. It’s also intimate, allowing you and your partner to make eye contact and kiss.

Wheelbarrow

Another power move, the wheelbarrow is like doggy, but you hold your partner’s hips up instead of having them on all fours.

How to do it: The receiving partner gets into a push-up or downward dog position. The penetrating partner stands behind them and lifts their partner by the hips while penetrating. The receiving partner’s legs can wrap around their partner’s waist or leave them suspended in the air behind them.

Why we love it: Aside from looking cool, the wheelbarrow allows for extra-deep penetration at a downward angle. The receiving partner can also bend or extend their elbows to control the depth, which can be a serious arm workout.

Keep in mind that this sex position can be taxing on the body, as it requires both core and arm strength. But if you’re both fitness freaks and want to take that energy into the bedroom, this could be a great position.

Pretzel

The pretzel may sound like a contortionist’s move, but you don’t have to be a yogi or an acrobat to enjoy it.

How to do it: The receiving partner lies on their side and lifts one leg. While facing the receiving partner, the penetrating partner kneels between their partner’s thighs and enters while straddling their partner’s bottom leg. The top leg of the receiving partner can rest on their partner’s thighs or wrap around their partner’s torso.

Why we love it: The pretzel offers the same sensation of doggy, including its depth, but maintains face-to-face intimacy. You can also play with the depth and angle, depending on how close the receiving partner brings their knee to their chest (the closer the knee, the deeper the penetration).

For extra sensation, hold a vibrator to your partner’s clitoris.

Piledriver

Your partner may have to be pretty flexible to try this one. Depending on how much intimacy you want, you can perform the piledriver while facing your partner or facing the other way. It’s also suitable for anal or vaginal sex.

How to do it: The receiving partner lies on their back and lifts their legs up and backward in a V shape over their head. The penetrating partner stands over their partner and squats, inserting their penis into their partner’s vagina or anus in a downward angle.

Why we love it: This is a tricky position to pull off, as it takes flexibility, core strength, and leg strength, but it’s worth the effort. The position of the receiving partner and downward angle allow for the deepest penetration, which is ideal if you’re trying to stimulate a female partner’s A-spot.

The A-spot is a sensitive area located between the front side of the vaginal wall and the cervix. First described by Dr. Chua Chee Ann, a Malaysian physician, the A-spot is said to increase vaginal lubrication and arousal in women while significantly reducing the time it takes to reach orgasm.

The Snake

Like doggy, with a little more support and a slightly different angle.

How to do it: The receiving partner lies down on their stomach and lifts their butt in the air. They can also lie on a cushion or pillow for more support. The penetrating partner lies down on top of them and enters from behind.

Why we love it: If doggy style and spooning had a love child, this would be it. The snake position offers the skin-to-skin contact and intimacy of spooning with the deep penetration and G-spot stimulation of doggy style.

It’s also possible to make adjustments and play with depth depending on how high the receiving partner lifts their hips or what height cushion they use beneath them.

Coital Alignment Technique

The coital alignment technique doesn’t sound sexy, but your body will say otherwise. It’s basically missionary with the support of a pillow or cushion underneath the receiving partner’s hips.

How to do it: The receiving partner lies on their back with a pillow, cushion, or blanket beneath them to elevate their hips. The penetrating partner enters from the top position, using their hands for support.

Why we love it: Research shows that the coital alignment technique is a great position for giving your female partner an orgasm.

In an older study, women who used the coital alignment technique reported more frequent orgasms, simultaneous orgasms with their partners, and more sexual satisfaction compared to those who didn't use the technique.

In a more recent study on the coital alignment technique, sonography of the clitoris showed that this sex position allowed for more clitoral stimulation and blood flow to the genitals due to the gravitational force of the male pelvis.

69

Not ready for penetrative sex? Here’s a non-penetrative sex position you might like instead.

How to do it: To try the 69, one partner lies on their back, and the other partner lies on top with their face to the partner’s genitals. You know, like the number 69. Then, you and your partner perform oral sex on each other.

Why we love it: The 69 allows you and your partner to give and receive pleasure simultaneously. It’s a great option if you’re not ready for penetrative sex but still want to be adventurous or if you’re looking for a new foreplay technique.

The 69 has been around forever, but there are some new twists. You can also perform this sexual position while lying on your sides or with one partner in a sex swing.

Another option is to have one partner (ideally the heavier one) sit on the edge of the bed while holding the other partner upside down and performing oral sex in the air. The upside-down partner can then wrap their legs around the sitting partner’s head. This is called the Pisces.

Mutual Masturbation

Not ready for oral sex or penetrative sex? Try masturbating together.

How to do it: You and your partner either lie side by side or across from each other and masturbate at the same time. Alternatively, you can take turns masturbating while the other partner watches.

Why we love it: Mutual masturbation can be a satisfying sexual experience if you’re looking for an alternative to penetrative or oral sex. Aside from being super hot, it’s super safe if you don’t exchange bodily fluids. If it does lead to sex, which it might, be sure to use a condom.

Watching your partner masturbate can also teach you more about what your partner finds pleasurable. You can make mental notes of the body parts they touch, the speed they like, and other details you may have had to figure out on your own.

Eiffel Tower

If you’re into group sex, it’s time to get French.

How to do it: You need three partners to perform the Eiffel Tower. Partner A gets on all fours and gives oral sex to Partner B while Partner C penetrates Partner A from behind. If Partner C and Partner B start kissing, they’ve formed the shape of the Eiffel Tower.

Why we love it: This position is perfect if you’re into threesomes. The person in the middle (Partner A) gets the most stimulation by giving oral sex while being penetrated, but nobody is left out in this sexy triad. You can also switch up positions so everyone gets a try giving and receiving, though females may want to get a strap-on or use a dildo to penetrate their partners.

What Is the Best Sex Position for ED or PE?

The best sex position is whichever is the most comfortable position for you and your partner. But what if you have a sexual dysfunction like erectile dysfunction (ED) or premature ejaculation (PE)? Is there a sex position that can help?

There’s not enough research on the best sex positions for men with ED or PE. But if you have one of these conditions, there are techniques and treatments that can help you have a satisfying sex life.

If you have ED, in which you find it difficult to obtain or maintain an erection, ask your healthcare provider about prescription medications that increase blood flow to the penis. They may prescribe a drug like Viagra® (sildenafil), Cialis® (tadalafil), Levitra® (vardenafil), or Stendra® (avanafil) to help you have better erections. You can also try experimenting with sex toys, new foreplay techniques, or other non-penetrative sex ideas to satisfy your partner.

If you have PE, in which you reach ejaculation too quickly, ask your healthcare provider what treatments are available. They may prescribe drugs like Zoloft® (sertraline), an antidepressant sometimes used off-label to help prolong sex in men with PE. There are also over-the-counter treatments like benzocaine wipes that help desensitize the penis.

If you want to keep things spicy in the bedroom, trying new sexual positions can be a game-changer. Remember:

• Couples who report being sexually satisfied are more likely to incorporate new erotic practices into their relationship. This may include sexy lingerie, fantasies, romantic trips, sex toys, and new sex positions.

• There are countless sex positions. You can have sex sitting, standing, lying down, or in the air, with or without props, by yourself, or with people of various genders and sexual orientations — it’s impossible to name them all.

• Experimentation pays off. Trying classic positions in new ways or exploring new sex positions can help you and your partner achieve more pleasure in the bedroom and strengthen your relationship at the same time.

If you think you can use more support to have a satisfying sex life, schedule an online consultation with a healthcare provider today.