HOW TO BUILD MUSCLE | BEST ELECTRIC SHAVERS | HIGH
Sex & Relationships > Sex Positions
54 Fun, New Sex
Positions to Try if You're Feeling Adventurous in the Bedroom You can thank us in the morning. BY THE EDITORS OF MEN'S HEALTH , IAN KERNER PHD, LMFT AND RO WHITE PUBLISHED: FEB 1, 2023
SAVE ARTICLE
SOPHIE GARAEVA / EYEEM // GETTY IMAGES
Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-
approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Why Trust Us?
HUMANS NEED SEXUAL variety, and when
we’re under stress, we crave novelty even more. "When we're stressed, it’s often harder to feel desire or to stay in the moment, because our mind is distracted and wandering,” says Justin Lehmiller, Ph.D., Kinsey Institute researcher and member of the Men's Health Advisory Panel. “Trying something new can create this immersive experience that lets us be in the moment and raises sexual arousal."
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Fortunately, bringing variety into your sex life
is easy, even in a long-term monogamous relationship—and trying a new sex position can help you make it happen. “One cool thing about sex is that we are always capable of discovering new things that we like, even if we consider ourselves pretty experienced,” says sex educator Erica Smith. “Trying a new sex position is a fairly low-risk way to add some adventure and fun to your sex life.”
What are the best sex
positions to try? If you’re not sure where to start, this list of unique sex positions can give you some ideas. (Don't worry, we also included fan favorites like missionary, cowgirl, spooning, and doggy style.)
As for which position(s) you should try first,
start by asking yourself what you're hoping to achieve by changing up your usual routine. This will guide how you approach this list of 54 sex positions, explains Ian Kerner, Ph.D., LMFT, sex therapist, and author of She Comes First and So Tell Me About the Last Time You Had Sex.
If your partner has a vulva and you’re looking
for positions to help them orgasm, then you want to look for sex positions where you can manually stimulate your partner’s clitoris during penetration. “Most [vulva owners] are not going to be able to get highly aroused or have an orgasm unless there's some kind of clitoral stimulation happening,” Kerner explains.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Or perhaps you want to explore elements of
BDSM (an umbrella term encompassing Bondage and Discipline, Dominance and Submission, Sadism, and Masochism). “Some of these positions are great for power play, where you can feel dominant or submissive,” Kerner says.
Some of these sex positions are fun to try for
novelty's sake, but they’re not necessarily ideal for everyone. “Not every position is accessible to everybody, and that's completely okay,” Smith says. “Some positions may even require strength or flexibility that not everyone has. You're not missing out on anything if your body won't perform that way.”
If a sex position feels uncomfortable, don't
overdo it. This isn’t a “push through the pain” situation. And remember—communication is key.
“Trying new positions should be fun, not
stressful,” Smith says. “Communication is always important, especially when we're trying new things. Listen to each other about what's working and what isn't.”
If a position isn’t working, just switch to
something else! There are plenty of positions here to choose from.
Sex Position: Stand and
Deliver
@ALLIEFOLINO
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Also known as: The Bicycle
Benefits: The giver (a.k.a. the partner who’s
doing the penetrating) can enjoy the view of their penis or dildo thrusting.
Technique: The giver stands at the edge of a
bed or desk while the receiver (a.k.a. the partner who’s being penetrated) lies back and raises their legs to their chest. The receiving partner’s knees are bent as if they're doing a "bicycling" exercise. The giver grabs their partner’s ankles and enters them. The giver should thrust slowly, as the deep penetration may be painful for the receiver.
Also try: The receiving partner can place
their heels on the giver’s shoulders, which will help open their hips.
Hot tip: If you’re the giver, encourage your
partner to play with their clitoris or penis in this position. Also, show them that they can control your penetration by flexing their thighs.
Sex Position: Face Off
@ALLIEFOLINO
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Also known as: The Lap Dance
Benefits: Allows for face-to-face intimacy;
cozy for long sessions.
Technique: The giver sits on a chair or at the
edge of a bed. The receiving partner faces the giver, wraps their arms around the giver’s back, and sits in their lap. Once in the saddle, the receiver can ride up and down on the giver’s shaft by pressing with their legs or knees. Want to go faster? The penetrating partner can grab the receiving partner’s buttocks to assist with lifting and bouncing.
Also try: The receiver can sit facing the giver
on a rocking chair. Old wooden rockers on hardwood or stone floors provide extra movement.
Hot tip: There's lots of room for creativity in
this position for stimulating erogenous areas of the upper body, head, neck, and face. If the receiver likes having their nipples licked, go for it!
Sex Position: Pearly
Gates
@ALLIEFOLINO
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Benefits: Great for G-spot stimulation.
Technique: The giver lies on their back. The
receiver can straddle them in a reverse cowgirl position before carefully leaning backward until their back is on their partner's chest.
Hot tip: The giver can reach around and play
with the receiver's nipples or clitoris. (The receiver can also use a vibrator in this position.)
Sex Position: The Socket
@ALLIEFOLINO
Benefits: “This looks like it's a nice position
to fantasize a little and get a new view of your partner’s behind,” says Kerner. “It's a chance to get absorbed in the sensations.”
Technique: From reverse cowgirl, the
receiving partner bends all the way forward, extending their legs all the way back. They should be supporting their body by resting on their elbows, as if they’re holding a plank.
Hot tip: In this position, a vulva-owning
receiver can easily touch their clitoris while being penetrated. And if the two of you are into spanking, have at it.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Sex Position: Happy Baby
@ALLIEFOLINO
Benefits: This position works for both vaginal
and anal penetration—and it’s perfect for G- spot stimulation. It’s also a more comfortable option for receivers with lower back pain.
Technique: The receiving partner assumes
the “happy baby” pose, a yoga position where you lie on your back, bend your knees into your chest, grip the outer edges of your feet, and roll side to side like, well, a happy baby. In this case, instead of rolling around, the receiver stays put so the penetrating partner can enter them from a kneeling position.
Also try: Tweaking your angles by sliding a
sex pillow underneath the receiving partner's hips.
Hot tip: If the receiver doesn’t have much
flexibility or balance, the giver can help hold their legs up and apart.
Sex Position: Standing O
@ALLIEFOLINO
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Benefits: Ideal position for all things
cunnilingus and any forms of vulva or vaginal stimulation you want to throw in: clit sucking, rubbing, digital penetration, and G- spot stroking.
Technique: The giving partner should be on
their knees, with the receiving partner standing upright. The receiver should drape one of their legs around the giver’s shoulders —then, let the eating out begin!
Hot tip: Ideally, the receiving partner should
have their hands above their head. This can be accomplished by using some BDSM restraints. If restraints aren’t their thing, see if you can find an anchored bar or beam for them to grasp.
Sex Position: The Little
Dipper
@ALLIEFOLINO
Benefits: “A great position that allows for
clitoral stimulation with both your mouth and fingers,” says Kerner.
Sex Position: The Ultimate Book for Couples with Spectacular Sex Positions. Revitalize your Sex Life and Increase Libido, Kama Sutra, Tantric Sex and Dirty Talk.