|300x300px These positions involve the insertion of a phallic object(s) (such as a penis,
strap-on dildo, plug, or other
nonporous object(s)) into a vagina, anus or mouth.
Penetrating partner on top with front entry In the
missionary position, the participants face each other. The receiving partner lies on their back with legs apart, while the penetrating partner lies on top. This position and the following variations may be used for
vaginal or
anal intercourse. • The penetrating partner stands in front of the receiving partner, whose legs dangle over the edge of a bed or some other platform like a table. • With the receiving partner's legs lifted towards the ceiling and resting against the penetrating partner, this is sometimes called the
butterfly position. This can also be done as a kneeling position. • The receiving partner lies on their back. The penetrating partner stands and lifts the receiving partner's pelvis for penetration. A variant is for the receiving partner to rest their legs on the penetrating partner's shoulders. • The receiving partner lies on their back, legs pulled up straight and knees near to the head. The penetrating partner holds the receiving partner's legs and penetrates from above. • Similarly to the previous position, but the receiving partner's legs need not be straight and the penetrating partner wraps their arms around the receiving partner to push the legs as close as possible to the chest. Called
the stopperage in Burton's translation of
The Perfumed Garden. • The
coital alignment technique, a position where a woman is vaginally penetrated by a man, and the penetrating partner moves upward along the woman's body until the penis is pointing down, the dorsal side of the penis now rubbing against the clitoris. • The receiving partner crosses their feet behind their head (or at least puts their feet next to their ears), while lying on their back. The penetrating partner then holds the receiving partner tightly around each instep or ankle and lies on the receiving partner full-length. A variation is to have the receiving partner cross their ankles on their stomach, knees to shoulders, and then have the penetrating partner lie on the receiving partner's crossed ankles with their full weight. Called the
Viennese oyster by
The Joy of Sex.
Penetrating from behind ' Most of these positions can be used for either vaginal or anal penetration. Variants include: • The receiving partner is on all fours with their torso horizontal and the penetrating partner inserts either their penis or sex toy into either the vagina or anus from behind. • The receiving partner's torso is angled downwards and the penetrating partner raises their own hips above those of the receiving partner for maximum penetration. • The penetrating partner places their feet on each side of the receiving partner while keeping their knees bent and effectively raising up as high as possible while maintaining penetration. The penetrating partner's hands usually have to be placed on the receiving partner's back to keep from falling forward. • The receiving partner kneels upright while the penetrating partner gently pulls the receiving partner's arms backwards at the wrists towards them. In the
spoons position both partners lie on their side, facing the same direction. Variants of this technique include the following: • The receiving partner lies on their side. The penetrating partner kneels and penetrates from behind. Alternatively, the penetrating partner can stand if the receiving partner is on a raised surface. • The receiving partner lies facing down in
prone position, possibly with their legs spread. The penetrating partner lies on top of them. The placement of a pillow beneath the receiving partner's hips can help increase stimulation in this position. • The receiving partner lies face down, knees together. The penetrating partner lies on top with spread legs. • The receiving partner lies on their side with their uppermost leg forward. The penetrating partner kneels astride the receiver's lowermost leg.
Receiving partner on top Most of these positions can be used for either vaginal or anal penetration. When the receiving partner is a woman, these positions are sometimes called the
woman on top, or
cowgirl positions. A feature of these positions is that the penetrating partner lies on their back with the receiving partner on top: • The receiving partner can
kneel while straddling the penetrating partner, with the participants facing each other. • Alternatively, the receiving partner can face away from the penetrating partner. This position is sometimes called the
reverse cowgirl position. • The receiving partner can arch back with hands on the ground. • The receiving partner can
squat (instead of kneel) facing the penetrating partner. • The receiving partner can bring forward their knees against the ground. • The penetrating partner lies with their upper back on a low table, couch, chair or edge of bed, keeping their feet flat on the floor and back parallel to floor. The receiving partner straddles them, also keeping their feet on the floor. Receiving partner can assume any of various positions. • The
lateral coital position was recommended by
Masters and Johnson, and was preferred by three quarters of their heterosexual study participants after having tried it. The position involves the male on his back, with the female rolled slightly to the side so that her pelvis is atop his, but her weight is beside his. This position can also be used for anal penetration, and is not limited to heterosexual partners.
Sitting and kneeling Most of these positions can be used for either vaginal or anal penetration. • The penetrating partner sits on an area surface, legs outstretched. The receiving partner sits on top and wraps their legs around the penetrating partner. Called
pounding on the spot in the Burton translation of
The Perfumed Garden. This position is most often used in upright places, such as a wall in a bedroom or a
shower. • The penetrating partner stands, and the receiving partner wraps their arms around his neck, and their legs around his waist, thereby exposing either the
vagina or
anus to the man's
penis. This position is made easier with the use of a solid object behind the receiver, as above. To assume this position, it can be easier to start with the receiving partner laying on their back on the edge of a bed; the penetrating partner puts his elbows under their knees, enters them, and then lifts them as he rises to a standing position. In Japan, this is colloquially called the
Ekiben position, after a specific bento lunch box sold at train stations. • Alternatively, the receiving partner can face away from the penetrating partner which allows for anal sex. This position is varied by having the receiving partner assume different semi-standing positions. For instance, they may bend at the waist, resting their hands or elbows on a table.
Anal sex positions These positions involve
anal penetration: •
Doggy style penetration maximizes the depth of penetration, but can pose the risk of pushing against the
sigmoid colon. If the receiving partner is male, this increases the chances of stimulating the
prostate. The penetrating partner controls the
thrusting rhythm. A variation is the
leapfrog position, in which the receiving partner angles their torso downward. The receiving partner may also lie flat and face down, with the penetrating partner straddling their thighs. • In the
missionary positions, to achieve optimal alignment, the receiving partner's legs should be in the air with the knees drawn towards their chest. Some sort of support (such as a pillow) under the receiving partner's hips can also be useful. The penetrating partner positions themselves between the receiving partner's legs. The penetrating partner controls the thrusting rhythm. This position is often cited as good for beginners, because it allows them to relax more fully than is usual in the doggy style position. • The
spoons position allows the receiving partner to control initial penetration and the depth, speed and force of subsequent thrusting. • The
receiving partner on top positions allow the receiving partner more control over the depth, rhythm and speed of penetration. More specifically, the receiving partner can slowly push their anus down on the penetrating partner, allowing time for their muscles to relax.
Less common positions position These positions are more innovative, and perhaps not as widely known or practiced as the ones listed above. • The receiving partner lies on their back with knees up and legs apart. The penetrating partner lies on their side perpendicular to the receiver, with the penetrating partner's hips under the arch formed by receiver's legs. This position is sometimes called the
T-square. • The receiving partner's legs are together turning to one side while looking up towards the penetrator, who has spread legs and is kneeling straight behind the other's hips. The penetrator's hands are on the other's hips. This position can be called the
modified T-square. • The
Seventh Posture of Burton's translation of
The Perfumed Garden is an unusual position not described in other classical
sex manuals. others have found it very comfortable, especially during
pregnancy. • The
piledriver is a difficult position sometimes seen in porn videos. It is described in many ways by different sources. In a heterosexual context, the woman lies on her back, then raises her hips as high as possible, so that her partner, standing, can enter her vaginally or anally. The position places considerable strain on the woman's neck, so firm cushions should be used to support her. • The receiver lies face down legs spread on the edge of the bed and parallel to the floor, while the penetrator stands behind, holding both legs. • The
rusty bike pump is similar to a piledriver where penetration is achieved from above at a downward angle with the receiving partner bottom side up.
Others • The receiving partner is on the bottom. The penetrating partner lies on top perpendicularly to them. • The penetrating partner lies on their back, legs spread. The receiving partner is on their back on top of the penetrator, legs spread, facing the opposite direction. • The penetrator and the receiver lie on their backs, heads pointed away from one another. Each places one leg on the other's shoulder (as a brace) and the other leg out somewhat to the side. • The receiving partner lies on their back with the penetrating partner lying perpendicular. The receiving partner bends the knee closest to the penetrating partner's head enough so that there is room for the penetrating partner's waist to fit beneath it, while the penetrating partner's legs straddle the receiving partner's other leg. The in-and-out thrusting action will move more along a side-to-side rather than top-to-bottom axis. This position allows for breast stimulation during sex, for partners to maintain eye contact if they wish, and for a good view of both partners as they reach orgasm. • The penetrating partner sits on edge of a bed or chair with feet spread wide on floor. The receiving partner lies on their back on the floor and drapes their legs and thighs over the legs of the penetrating partner. The penetrating partner holds the knees of the receiving partner and controls thrusts.
Using furniture or special apparatus Most sex acts are typically performed on a bed or other simple platform. As the range of supports available increases, so does the range of positions that are possible. Ordinary furniture can be used for this purpose. Also, various forms of
erotic furniture and other apparatus such as
fisting slings and
trapezes have been used to facilitate even more exotic sexual positions.
Positions to promote or prevent conception Pregnancy is a potential result of any form of sexual activity where
sperm comes in contact with the vagina; this is typically during vaginal sex, but pregnancy can result from anal sex, digital sex (
fingering), oral sex, or by another body part, if sperm is transferred from one area to the vagina between a
fertile female and a fertile male. Men and women typically reach fertility during
puberty. Though certain sexual positions are believed to produce more favorable results than others, none of these are effective means of contraception.
Positions during pregnancy The goal is to prevent excessive pressure on the belly and to restrict penetration as required by the particular partners. Some of the positions below are popular positions for
sex during pregnancy. • Woman on top: takes the pressure off the woman's abdomen and allows her to control the depth and frequency of thrusting. • Woman on back: like the missionary, but with less pressure on abdomen or uterus. The woman lies on her back and raises her knees up towards her chest. The partner kneels between her legs and enters from the front. A pillow is placed under her bottom for added comfort. • Sideways: also keeps pressure off her abdomen while supporting her uterus at the same time. • Spooning: very popular positions to use during the late stages of pregnancy; allowing only shallow penetration and relieves the pressure on the abdomen. • Sitting: she mounts the sitting partner, relieving her abdomen of pressure. •
From behind: allowing her to support abdomen and breasts. ==Non-exclusively penetrative==