This article was reviewed by Kelly Brown MD, MBA.
Most of us are familiar with classic positions, but have you heard of the alignment technique or the Eiffel Tower?
There are many ways to keep your intimate life exciting, from using adult toys to intimate texting, but one of the easiest ways is to switch up your positions.
Studies show that couples who report being satisfied are more likely to inject intimacy novelty into their relationships. One way to get this sort of novelty is to try out new positions.
Below, we’ve gathered some of the best positions out there and broken down what makes each one so special.
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How Many Positions Are There?
How much time do you have?
Though the Kama Sutra, the ancient Indian text of intimacy, lists just 64 different positions, the number of positions is limitless. After all, you can have intimacy sitting, standing, or lying down from multiple angles, with multiple props, and even with multiple people of various 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.
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Different Positions to Try Tonight
Here are some new and not-so-new positions to try tonight:
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Missionary position
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Doggy style
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Cowgirl position
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Reverse cowgirl
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Tabletop
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Side by side
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Spooning
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Upstanding citizen
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Wheelbarrow
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Pretzel
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Pile driver
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The snake
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C alignment technique (CAT)
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69
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Mutual solo play
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Eiffel Tower
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Missionary Position
We know, we know. The missionary position may seem like the most boring 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 other partner to apply direct stimulation with each movement (as long as they get the angle right).
The missionary position is highly intimate, allowing partners to hold eye contact during the experience. This position also allows you and your partner to explore each other’s 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 toy for extra stimulation.
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Doggy Style
It’s not the most creative name for an intimate position, and it doesn’t apply direct pressure to the privates as the missionary style does. Still, you shouldn’t overlook its benefits.
How to do it: The receiving partner gets on all fours, and the other partner inserts their privates from behind while kneeling or standing at the edge of the bed.
Why we love it: While the other partner doesn’t have access to the privates from this position, it does offer more stimulation than missionary. Your partner can still apply stimulation with one hand or a toy for more sensation.
We should note that there have been reports of male privates fractures with doggy style, so always be mindful of safety when being intimate in this position. A privates fracture is a serious injury that can occur if your privates slips out during intimacy and thrusts forcefully against your partner.
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Cowgirl/Cowboy Position
The cowgirl position is also called woman on top — or cowboy position if the receiving partner is male. They grant the receiving partner more power, allowing them to control the angle and depth of intimacy.
How to do it: In this position, a 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 an intimate 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 pleasure when they’re on top because they control the depth and rhythm they like.
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 privates fracture, so be careful.
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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: One 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 intimacy and potential privates 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 one partner sit up or prop themselves up against pillows or the headboard. This may make it easier to explore your partner’s zones, particularly the nape of the neck.
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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: A 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 a deeper connection due to the downward thrusting angle of the first partner. Deeper connection often means more stimulation during intimacy.
This position is also ideal for partners with significantly different heights because it helps align their privates.
Like missionary and cowgirl/cowboy, the tabletop position allows for face-to-face intimacy, sustained eye contact, and kissing.
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Side-by-Side
Think you’re too tired for intimacy? Consider trying the low-pressure side-by-side position.
How to do it: Partners lie on their sides and be intimate while facing each other. The receiving partner’s top leg can wrap around the other 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 intimacy after a long night out.
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Spooning
Take your cuddling to the next level by taking off your clothes.
How to do it: Like the side-by-side position, partners being intimate 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 be intimate 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.
Image Credit: Jacob Ammentorp Lund/Istockphoto.
Upstanding Citizen
No, this 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: A partner stands upright and carries their partner while being intimate with 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 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.
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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 other partner stands behind them and lifts their partner by the hips. 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 connection 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 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.
Image Credit: Antonio_Diaz/Istockphoto.
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 other 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 connection).
Image Credit: Liudmila Chernetska/istockphoto.
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.
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 other partner stands over their partner and squats, inserting their privates into their partner’s 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 connection, 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 privates wall and the cervix. First described by Dr. Chua Chee Ann, a Malaysian physician, the A-spot is said to increase arousal in women while significantly reducing the time it takes.
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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 other 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 connection and 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.
Image Credit: stefanamer/istockphoto.
C Alignment Technique (CAT)
This technique doesn’t sound intimate, 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 other partner enters from the top position, using their hands for support.
Why we love it: Research shows that this technique is a great position for giving your female partner pleasure.
In an older study, women who used the CAT reported more frequent pleasure, simultaneous with their partners, and more satisfaction compared to those who didn’t use the technique.
In a more recent study on the CAT, sonography of the privates showed that this position allowed for more female privates stimulation and blood flow to the male privates due to the gravitational force of the male pelvis.
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69
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 privates.
You know, like the number 69. Then, you and your partner perform intimacy 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 deep connection intimacy but still want to be adventurous or if you’re looking for a new technique.
The 69 has been around forever, but there are some new twists. You can also perform this position while lying on your sides or with one partner in a 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 intimacy in the air. The upside-down partner can then wrap their legs around the sitting partner’s head. This is called the Pisces.
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Mutual Solo play
How to do it: You and your partner either lie side by side or across from each other and self-please at the same time.
Alternatively, you can take turns while the other partner watches.
Why we love it: this one can be a satisfying experience if you’re looking for an alternative to deep connection. Aside from being super hot, it’s super safe if you don’t exchange bodily fluids. If it does lead to intimacy, which it might, be sure to use protection.
Watching your partner self-please 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.
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Eiffel Tower
If you’re into group intimacy, 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 an oral connection to Partner B while Partner C is being intimate with 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 group relations.
The person in the middle (Partner A) gets the most stimulation, but nobody is left out. 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 toy to be able to connect with their partners.
Image Credit: nd3000/istockphoto.
What Is the Best Position for ED or PE?
The best position is whichever is the most comfortable position for you and your partner. But what if you have a dysfunction like ED or PE? Is there a position that can help?
There’s not enough research on the best 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 intimate life.
If you have ED, in which you find it difficult to obtain or maintain an arousal, ask your healthcare provider about prescription medications that increase blood flow to the privates. They may prescribe a drug like Viagra (sildenafil), Cialis (tadalafil), Levitra (vardenafil), or Stendra (avanafil). You can also try experimenting with adult toys, new techniques, or other ideas to satisfy your partner.
If you have PE, in which you finish 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 men with PE. There are also over-the-counter treatments like benzocaine wipes that help desensitize the privates.
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A Final Word on the Different Types of Positions
If you want to keep things spicy in the bedroom, trying new positions can be a game-changer. Remember:
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Couples who report being satisfied are more likely to incorporate new practices into their relationship. This may include lingerie, fantasies, romantic trips, toys, and new positions.
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There are countless positions. You can have intimacy sitting, standing, lying down, or in the air, with or without props, by yourself, or with people of various genders and orientations — it’s impossible to name them all.
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Experimentation pays off. Trying classic positions in new ways or exploring new positions can help you and your partner achieve more pleasure in the bedroom and strengthen your relationship at the same time.
Related: Can ADHD Affect Your Performance in the Bedroom?
Related: My Wife Has No Desire for Intimacy. What Can I Do?
This article originally appeared on Hims.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org
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