Despite all the hype over the many sexual positions you can find in texts like the Kama Sutra, there really are only a few basic couplings—all the rest are derivations on these. What I’ve discovered women really want to know, is not how many ways to contort their bodies, but how to get off successfully during a favorite sexual position. Thankfully, some of today’s sex toys have come to the rescue! Here are profiles of each of the sexual positions, along with tips for hitting your orgasmic stride in each one.

Woman on Top

How to: The man lies on his back with his legs together, the woman climbs on top, faces him, and straddles his body as he penetrates her vaginally.

Appeal: A woman perched on top of a lover lying on his back has complete control over the action. Not only can she control the depth and rhythm of the thrusting, she can make slight adjustments in her position to maximize G Spot and clit stimulation. Men love this position because they get to relax, they have a great view of their partner, and it’s often easier to delay orgasm until both partners are ready to come.

Modifications: If she tilts backward she’ll get more direct G spot pressure, or she can lean forward and drag her breasts along her lover's body.

The woman can turn around while she’s on top (sometimes called Reverse Cowgirl), which gives her partner a lovely view of her backside. She can fondle his testicles in this position.

Add toys: If she needs extra stimulation to get her over the top, either partner can hold a vibrator against her clitoris, or she can wear a hands-free vibe (they kind of look like G-strings with vibrators attached). He’ll feel the vibrations externally against the base of his penis, but also along his penis as they travel through the vaginal walls. Butt plugs add an extra element of stimulation, and a blindfold on the bottom partner can lend a nice sensory experience to the encounter.


Missionary Position

How to: The woman lies on her back, legs spread and bent at the knee, with the man bent over her while penetrating her vaginally. He should not rest his weight on top of her, but support himself with his forearms (picture push-ups).

Appeal: This classic sexual position affords maximum intimacy because it offers full body contact and great eye contact. It’s the most frequently used sexual position.

Modifications: If she needs more clitoral stimulation, he can press in closer to her and use friction from his penis to rub her clit. He should move slowly and use short deep thrusts. She can also put her legs up over his shoulders so his penis will make contact with her G Spot.

Or, she can lie flat while keeping her legs together, which will give him a lot more friction during penetration. You can also try this position by kneeling, or standing alongside the bed and entering your partner.

Add toys: With a vibrating cock ring, couples get one step closer to the simultaneously orgasmic unions they see depicted in the movies. He slips the cock ring over his penis and a strategically placed vibrator protrudes off the top, vibrating the clitoris during vaginal intercourse—just the extra bit of stimulation some women need to orgasm during intercourse. It’s a simple design which is not always foolproof, so experiment with different vibrator intensities and movements.


Rear Entry

How to: The woman either kneels or bends over while the man penetrates her vaginally from behind (ie, they’re both facing the same direction). And yes, because most of us have seen dogs mating, it’s no stretch of the imagination to figure out why this sexual position gets referred to as “doing it doggy style.”

Appeal: Couples who enjoy deep penetration love the rear entry position. It’s easy to hit your groove with rapid, deep thrusting. What’s more, the angle is good for more direct G Spot stimulation, and he gets a good view of and easy access to her anus. Because both partners have a good range of movement, they can trade off who controls the primary thrusting (she can move back on to his penis). In this sexual position he can also fondle his own testicles, or she can reach back and do it as well.

Modification: He might prefer standing by the bed and penetrating her while she’s bent over the edge of the bed. Or she might want to prop herself up

on her elbows and keep her pelvis close to the bed if she’s trying to make contact with a vibrator or some strategically placed pillows. She can also support herself against a wall, leaning forward enough to give him access to her vagina; some folks prefer to have something more stationary than a bed to give them resistance during this boisterous activity.

Sitting Position

How to: Most people sit facing each other; she’s astride his penis, their legs are entwined, and their arms are around each other.

Appeal: Fans of this position like the almost meditative intimacy that comes with being eye level with their partner. While your movements are somewhat limited, you get a lot of full body contact.

Modifications: You can try this sitting on a bed or a chair (choose one with no arms). Or, she can turn around so that both of you are facing the same direction, which makes it is easier for either of you to stimulate her clitoris. Add sex toys: If she needs more clitoral stimulation, she can masturbate herself in this position, or use a small vibrator. A butt plug will give him some prostate stimulation. Nipple clamps, if you’re in an especially high state of arousal can be nice, as it’s easy for one partner to reach over and tug on them.

Add toys: The hands-free clit vibe can be worn in almost all sexual positions, but it’s especially appreciated by women who like the rear entry position. By strapping on one of these vibrators and moving the single back strap to the side, you get to enjoy the best of G Spot penetration and clitoral vibrations, and have full range of motion. Alternately, you can try lying on top of a larger vibrator, like the Hitachi, so that your clitoris gets pushed into it during penetration.


Side by Side

How to: Both partners lie on their sides facing the same direction. He curves his body around hers (fitting together like two spoons), and is able to penetrate her vaginally by slipping his penis between her legs.

Appeal: Most people associate spooning with the comfort and tenderness of cuddling. It allows for full body contact, and gives the man easy access to his partner’s breasts and genitals. When her legs are folded together, his penis gets extra friction. It’s also a great position for pregnant women or those with limited mobility. It’s used often for early morning sex because so many men wake up with erections. Since both partners face the same direction, they are both spared the pain of morning breath!

Modifications: The woman can keep her legs together lying on her side, or she can lean back onto her partner and throw her top leg over his legs. This makes vaginal entry a bit easier, and gives him plenty of access to her genitals.

Add toys: The Fukuoku fingertip vibrator complements this position nicely because he can slip the toy over his finger and reach around easily to vibrate her clit during penetration. The Hitachi wand is a big enough vibrator to just prop against your clitoris. A combination dildo/vibrator can be used for a more low-key introduction to double penetration (the dildo in her vagina, his penis in her anus). On her side, she’s able to push back and control the motion.


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Anne Semans is the author of The Many Joys of Sex Toys.
Copyright 2004. Anne Semans