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A sex position is a position of the body that people use for
sexual intercourse Sexual intercourse (or coitus or copulation) is a sexual activity typically involving the insertion and thrusting of the penis into the vagina for sexual pleasure or reproduction.Sexual intercourse most commonly means penile–vaginal pene ...
or other
sexual activities Human sexual activity, human sexual practice or human sexual behaviour is the manner in which humans experience and express their sexuality. People engage in a variety of sexual acts, ranging from activities done alone (e.g., masturbation) t ...
. Sexual acts are generally described by the positions the participants adopt in order to perform those acts. Though sexual intercourse generally involves penetration of the body of one person by another, sex positions commonly involve penetrative or non-penetrative sexual activities. Three categories of sexual intercourse are commonly practiced:
vagina In mammals, the vagina is the elastic, muscular part of the female genital tract. In humans, it extends from the vestibule to the cervix. The outer vaginal opening is normally partly covered by a thin layer of mucosal tissue called the hymen ...
l intercourse (involving vaginal penetration), anal penetration, and
oral sex Oral sex, sometimes referred to as oral intercourse, is sexual activity involving the stimulation of the genitalia of a person by another person using the mouth (including the lips, tongue, or teeth) and the throat. Cunnilingus is oral sex p ...
(especially mouth-on-genital stimulation). Sex acts may also involve other forms of genital stimulation, such as solo or mutual
masturbation Masturbation is the sexual stimulation of one's own genitals for sexual arousal or other sexual pleasure, usually to the point of orgasm. The stimulation may involve hands, fingers, everyday objects, sex toys such as vibrators, or combinat ...
, which may involve rubbing or penetration by the use of fingers or hands or by a device (
sex toy A sex toy is an object or device that is primarily used to facilitate Human sexual activity, human sexual pleasure, such as a dildo, artificial vagina or Vibrator (sex toy), vibrator. Many popular sex toys are designed to resemble human genita ...
), such as a
dildo A dildo is a sex toy, often explicitly phallic in appearance, intended for sexual penetration or other sexual activity during masturbation or with sex partners. Dildos can be made from a number of materials and shaped like an erect human penis ...
or vibrator. The act may also involve
anilingus Anilingus (from the Latin ''anus'' + ''-lingus'', from ''lingere'', "to lick", variantly spelled "analingus") is the oral and anal sex act in which a person stimulates the anus of another by using the mouth, including lips, tongue, or teeth. I ...
. There are numerous sex positions that participants may adopt in any of these types of sexual intercourse or acts; some authors have argued that the number of sex positions is essentially limitless.Rogiere, Jean, " The little bit naughty book of sex". Ulysses Press. 2001.


History

Sex manual Sex is the trait that determines whether a sexually reproducing animal or plant produces male or female gametes. Male plants and animals produce smaller mobile gametes (spermatozoa, sperm, pollen), while females produce larger ones ( ova, of ...
s typically present a guide to sex positions. They have a long history. In the Greco-Roman era, a sex manual was written by
Philaenis of Samos Philaenis of Samos was supposedly the author of a famous ancient sex manual. According to a surviving fragment of a treatise which claims to have been written by her, she was from Samos, and her father was called Ocymenes. However, many modern s ...
, possibly a hetaira (
courtesan Courtesan, in modern usage, is a euphemism for a "kept" mistress or prostitute, particularly one with wealthy, powerful, or influential clients. The term historically referred to a courtier, a person who attended the court of a monarch or othe ...
) of the
Hellenistic period In Classical antiquity, the Hellenistic period covers the time in Mediterranean history after Classical Greece, between the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC and the emergence of the Roman Empire, as signified by the Battle of Actium in ...
(3rd–1st century BC). The ''
Kama Sutra The ''Kama Sutra'' (; sa, कामसूत्र, , ; ) is an ancient Indian Sanskrit text on sexuality, eroticism and emotional fulfillment in life. Attributed to Vātsyāyana, the ''Kama Sutra'' is neither exclusively nor predominantly ...
'' of Vatsyayana, believed to have been written in the 1st to 6th centuries, has a notorious reputation as a sex manual. Different sex positions result in differences in the depth and angle of sexual penetration.
Alfred Kinsey Alfred Charles Kinsey (; June 23, 1894 – August 25, 1956) was an American sexologist, biologist, and professor of entomology and zoology who, in 1947, founded the Institute for Sex Research at Indiana University, now known as the Kinsey Insti ...
categorized six primary positions, The earliest known European medieval text dedicated to sexual positions is the ''
Speculum al foderi ''Speculum al foder'' is a 15th-century Catalan anonim text discovered in the 1970s. This text is significant as it is a rare example of known Medieval treatise describing the art of sexual positions (others examples include Aretino's I Modi The ...
'', (The Mirror of Coitus) a 15th-century
Catalan Catalan may refer to: Catalonia From, or related to Catalonia: * Catalan language, a Romance language * Catalans, an ethnic group formed by the people from, or with origins in, Northern or southern Catalonia Places * 13178 Catalan, asteroid #1 ...
text discovered in the 1970s.


Exclusively penetrative

These positions involve the insertion of a phallic object(s) (such as a penis,
strap-on dildo A strap-on dildo (also strap-on) is a dildo designed to be worn, usually with a harness, during sexual activity. Harnesses and dildos are made in a wide variety of styles, with variations in how the harness fits the wearer, how the dildo attac ...
, plug, or other nonporous object(s)) into a vagina, anus or mouth.


Penetrating partner on top with front entry

The most used sex position is the
missionary position The missionary position or man-on-top position is a sex position in which, generally, a woman lies on her back and a man lies on top of her while they face each other and engage in vaginal intercourse. The position may also be used for other ...
. In this 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 In mammals, the vagina is the elastic, muscular part of the female genital tract. In humans, it extends from the vestibule to the cervix. The outer vaginal opening is normally partly covered by a thin layer of mucosal tissue called the hymen. ...
or
anal intercourse Anal sex or anal intercourse is generally the insertion and thrusting of the erect penis into a person's anus, or anus and rectum, for sexual pleasure.Sepages 270–271for anal sex information, anpage 118for information about the clitoris. O ...
. *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 Perfumed Garden of Sensual Delight'' ( ar, الروض العاطر في نزهة الخاطر ''Al-rawḍ al-ʿāṭir fī nuzhaẗ al-ḫāṭir'') is a fifteenth-century Arabic sex manual and work of erotic literature by Muhammad ibn ...
''.''The Perfumed Garden'', Shaykh Nefwazi , translated by Sir Richard Francis Burton, 1886
full text available at Internet Sacred Text Archive
*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 ''The Joy of Sex'' is a 1972 illustrated sex manual by British author Alex Comfort. An updated edition was released in September 2008. Overview ''The Joy of Sex'' spent eleven weeks at the top of the ''New York Times'' bestseller list and more ...
''.Comfort, Alex, ''The Joy of Sex: Fully Revised & Completely Updated for the 21st Century''. Crown. Fully rev. ed., 2002. , 256 pages.


Penetrating from behind

Most of these positions can be used for either vaginal or anal penetration. Variants of the '' doggy style'' or ''doggy position'' 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.Rogiere, Jean, ''The Little Book of Sex''. Ulysses Press, 2001. , 96 pages. *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.Westheimer, Ruth K., ''Sex for Dummies''. For Dummies. 2nd ed., 2000. , 432 pages. 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.Rogiere, Jean, ''The Little Book of Sex''. Ulysses Press. 2001. . 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 Kneeling is a basic human position where one or both knees touch the ground. Kneeling is defined as “to position the body so that one or both knees rest on the floor,” according to Merriam-Webster. Kneeling when only composed of one knee, and ...
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 The lateral coital position is a list of sex positions, sex position described by Masters and Johnson in their book, ''Human Sexual Inadequacy''. The position was preferred by 75% of their heterosexual respondents once they had tried it. Techniq ...
'' was recommended by
Masters and Johnson The Masters and Johnson research team, composed of William H. Masters and Virginia E. Johnson, pioneered research into the nature of human sexual response and the diagnosis and treatment of sexual disorders and dysfunctions from 1957 until the 1 ...
, 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 ''The Perfumed Garden of Sensual Delight'' ( ar, الروض العاطر في نزهة الخاطر ''Al-rawḍ al-ʿāṭir fī nuzhaẗ al-ḫāṭir'') is a fifteenth-century Arabic sex manual and work of erotic literature by Muhammad ibn ...
''. If the penetrating partner sits cross-legged, it is called the ''lotus position'' or ''lotus flower''. The position can be combined with fondling of
erogenous zone An erogenous zone (from Greek , ''érōs'' "love"; and English ''-genous'' "producing", from Greek , ''-genḗs'' "born") is an area of the human body that has heightened sensitivity, the stimulation of which may generate a sexual response, suc ...
s. *The penetrating partner sits in a chair. The receiving partner straddles penetrating partner and sits, facing the penetrating partner, feet on floor. This is sometimes called a '' lap dance'', which is somewhat erroneous as a lap dance typically does not involve penetration. The receiving partner may also sit in reverse, with their back to the penetrating partner. *The penetrating partner sits on a couch or in a chair that has armrests. The receiving partner sits in the penetrating partner's lap, perpendicular to penetrating partner, with their back against the armrest. *The penetrating partner kneels while the receiving partner lies on their back, ankles on each side of penetrating partner's shoulders.


Standing

Most of these positions can be used for either vaginal or anal penetration. In the basic standing position, both partners stand facing each other. The following variations are possible: *In the basic standing position, both partners stand facing each other and engage in vaginal sex. In order to match heights, the shorter partner can, for instance, stand on a stair or wear high heels. It may be easier to maintain solid thrusts if the woman has her back to a wall. With such a support, the ''
Kama Sutra The ''Kama Sutra'' (; sa, कामसूत्र, , ; ) is an ancient Indian Sanskrit text on sexuality, eroticism and emotional fulfillment in life. Attributed to Vātsyāyana, the ''Kama Sutra'' is neither exclusively nor predominantly ...
'' calls this position the ''Suspended Congress''. This position is most often used in upright places, such as a wall in a bedroom or a
shower A shower is a place in which a person bathes under a spray of typically warm or hot water. Indoors, there is a drain in the floor. Most showers have temperature, spray pressure and adjustable showerhead nozzle. The simplest showers have a ...
. *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 In mammals, the vagina is the elastic, muscular part of the female genital tract. In humans, it extends from the vestibule to the cervix. The outer vaginal opening is normally partly covered by a thin layer of mucosal tissue called the hymen ...
or
anus The anus (Latin, 'ring' or 'circle') is an opening at the opposite end of an animal's digestive tract from the mouth. Its function is to control the expulsion of feces, the residual semi-solid waste that remains after food digestion, which, ...
to the man's
penis A penis (plural ''penises'' or ''penes'' () is the primary sexual organ that male animals use to inseminate females (or hermaphrodites) during copulation. Such organs occur in many animals, both vertebrate and invertebrate, but males d ...
. 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 The sigmoid colon (or pelvic colon) is the part of the large intestine that is closest to the rectum and anus. It forms a loop that averages about in length. The loop is typically shaped like a Greek letter sigma (ς) or Latin letter S (thus ' ...
. If the receiving partner is male, this increases the chances of stimulating the prostate. The penetrating partner controls the
thrust Thrust is a reaction force described quantitatively by Newton's third law. When a system expels or accelerates mass in one direction, the accelerated mass will cause a force of equal magnitude but opposite direction to be applied to that ...
ing 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 A missionary is a member of a Religious denomination, religious group which is sent into an area in order to promote its faith or provide services to people, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care, and economic development.Tho ...
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 Thrust is a reaction force described quantitatively by Newton's third law. When a system expels or accelerates mass in one direction, the accelerated mass will cause a force of equal magnitude but opposite direction to be applied to that syst ...
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

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 ''The Perfumed Garden of Sensual Delight'' ( ar, الروض العاطر في نزهة الخاطر ''Al-rawḍ al-ʿāṭir fī nuzhaẗ al-ḫāṭir'') is a fifteenth-century Arabic sex manual and work of erotic literature by Muhammad ibn ...
'' is an unusual position not described in other classical
sex manual Sex is the trait that determines whether a sexually reproducing animal or plant produces male or female gametes. Male plants and animals produce smaller mobile gametes (spermatozoa, sperm, pollen), while females produce larger ones ( ova, of ...
s. The receiving partner lies on their side. The penetrating partner faces the receiver, straddling the receiver's lower leg, and lifts the receiver's upper leg on either side of the body onto the crook of penetrating partner's elbow or onto the shoulder. While some references describe this position as being "for acrobats and not to be taken seriously", others have found it very comfortable, especially during
pregnancy Pregnancy is the time during which one or more offspring develops ( gestates) inside a woman's uterus (womb). A multiple pregnancy involves more than one offspring, such as with twins. Pregnancy usually occurs by sexual intercourse, but ...
. *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 is sometimes called the '' scissors position''. 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 Erotic furniture, also known as sex furniture, is any form of furniture that is designed to act as an aid to sexual activity. Some examples function as a positioning tool, assisting with comfort, penetration level and stimulation. Others are c ...
and other apparatus such as fisting slings and
trapeze A trapeze is a short horizontal bar hung by ropes or metal straps from a ceiling support. It is an aerial apparatus commonly found in circus performances. Trapeze acts may be static, spinning (rigged from a single point), swinging or flying, an ...
s 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 Sperm is the male reproductive cell, or gamete, in anisogamous forms of sexual reproduction (forms in which there is a larger, female reproductive cell and a smaller, male one). Animals produce motile sperm with a tail known as a flagellum, ...
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 Fertility is the capability to produce offspring through reproduction following the onset of sexual maturity. The fertility rate is the average number of children born by a female during her lifetime and is quantified demographically. Fertili ...
female and a fertile male. Men and women are typically fertile during
puberty Puberty is the process of physical changes through which a child's body matures into an adult body capable of sexual reproduction. It is initiated by hormonal signals from the brain to the gonads: the ovaries in a girl, the testes in a ...
. 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 of 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 of 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 stomach. *Sitting: she mounts the sitting partner, relieving her stomach of pressure. * From behind: allowing her to support stomach and breasts.


Non-exclusively penetrative


Oral sex positions

Oral sex Oral sex, sometimes referred to as oral intercourse, is sexual activity involving the stimulation of the genitalia of a person by another person using the mouth (including the lips, tongue, or teeth) and the throat. Cunnilingus is oral sex p ...
is genital stimulation by the mouth. It may be penetrative or non-penetrative, and may take place before, during, as, or following intercourse. It may also be performed simultaneously (for example, when one partner performs cunnilingus, while the other partner performs fellatio), or only one partner may perform upon the other; this creates a multitude of variations.


Fellatio

''
Fellatio Fellatio (also known as fellation, and in slang as blowjob, BJ, giving head, or sucking off) is an oral sex act involving a person stimulating the penis of another person by using the mouth, throat, or both. Oral stimulation of the scrotu ...
'' is oral sex performed on a penis. Possible positions include: * Sitting ** The receiver lies on his back while the partner kneels between his legs. ** The receiver lies on his back while the partner lies off to the side of their legs. ** The receiver sits in a chair the partner kneels in front of them between their legs. * Standing ** The receiver stands while the partner either kneels in front of them or sits (in a chair or on the edge of a bed, etc.) and bends forward. ** The receiver stands while the partner, also standing, bends forward at the waist. ** The receiver stands or crouches at the edge of the bed, facing the bed. The active partner lies on the bed with their head hanging over the edge of the bed backward. The receiver inserts their penis into the partner's mouth, usually to achieve '' deep throat'' penetration. * Lying ** While the active partner lies on their back, the receiver assumes the missionary position but adjusted forward. ** The active partner (with breasts) lies on their back, and the receiver inserts their penis between the breasts, and into the mouth.


Cunnilingus

'' Cunnilingus'' is oral sex performed on the vulva and vagina. Possible positions include: *The receiver lies on her back as in the missionary position. The active partner lies on their front between their legs. *The active partner sits. The receiver stands facing away and bends at the hips. *The active partner sits. The receiver stands or squats facing towards partner and may arch her back, to create further stimulation. *The active partner lies on their back while the receiver kneels with their legs at their sides and their genitals on their mouth. In other words, the receiver sits on the face of her partner. *The receiver rests on all fours as in the doggy style position. The partner lies on their back with their head under their genitalia. Their feet may commonly extend off the bed and rest on the floor. *The receiver services their own genitals. Although rarer, some people still find this possible; see
autofellatio Autofellatio is the act of oral stimulation of one's own penis as a form of masturbation. Only a limited number of males are physically capable of performing autofellatio.Savage, Dan. Savage Love', page 242 (Plume 1998). History Egyptologis ...
. *The receiver stands, possibly bracing themself against a wall. The active partner kneels in front of them. *The receiver sits on the bed with their legs open, the active partner kneels in front of them. *The receiver is upside-down (standing on hands, held by partner, or using support, such as bondage or furniture), with the active partner standing or kneeling (depending on elevation) in front or behind. Such a position may be difficult to achieve, or maintain for extended time periods, but the rush of blood to the brain can alter stimulation's effect. *The receiver stands on hands, resting each leg on either side of the active partner's head, with the active partner standing or kneeling facing them. Depending on which way up the receiver is facing, different stimulation and levels of comfort may be available.


Sixty-nine

Simultaneous oral sex between two people is called '' 69''. Partners may be female or male. They can lie side-by-side, lie one on top of the other, or stand with one partner holding the other upside down.


Anilingus

Positions for ''
anilingus Anilingus (from the Latin ''anus'' + ''-lingus'', from ''lingere'', "to lick", variantly spelled "analingus") is the oral and anal sex act in which a person stimulates the anus of another by using the mouth, including lips, tongue, or teeth. I ...
'', also known as ''butt licking'', ''rimming'', ''anal-oral sex'', ''rimjob'', or ''tossing the salad'', are often variants on those for genital-oral sex. Anilingus can be performed in a number of sex positions including: *The passive partner is on all fours in the doggy position with the active partner behind. *The passive partner is on their back in the
missionary position The missionary position or man-on-top position is a sex position in which, generally, a woman lies on her back and a man lies on top of her while they face each other and engage in vaginal intercourse. The position may also be used for other ...
with their legs up. *The passive partner on top in the 69 position. *The '' rusty trombone'', in which a male stands while the active partner performs both anilingus from behind, generally from a kneeling position, and also performs
masturbation Masturbation is the sexual stimulation of one's own genitals for sexual arousal or other sexual pleasure, usually to the point of orgasm. The stimulation may involve hands, fingers, everyday objects, sex toys such as vibrators, or combinat ...
on the standing partner, thus somewhat resembling someone playing the
trombone The trombone (german: Posaune, Italian, French: ''trombone'') is a musical instrument in the brass family. As with all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player's vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate ...
.Tate, Jordan. (January 9, 2007) The Contemporary Dictionary of Sexual Euphemisms. Publisher St. Martin's Press


Other positions

*'' Fingering'' of the
vulva The vulva (plural: vulvas or vulvae; derived from Latin for wrapper or covering) consists of the external female sex organs. The vulva includes the mons pubis (or mons veneris), labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibular bulbs, vulv ...
, vagina or anus. *'' Shocker'': simultaneous fingering of the vagina and anus using one hand. The index and middle finger are inserted in the vagina, and the pinky in the anus. A number of variations are possible by using different combinations of fingers in each orifice. *''
Fisting Fisting, handballing, fist-fucking, brachiovaginal, or brachioproctic insertion is a sexual activity that involves inserting a hand into the vagina or rectum. Once insertion is complete, the fingers are either clenched into a fist or kept strai ...
'': inserting the entire hand into the vagina or anus. This usually requires large amounts of lubricant and relaxation. The hand is usually not actually made into a fist, but instead the thumb is placed between the middle and ring fingers. Fisting can cause
laceration A wound is a rapid onset of injury that involves lacerated or punctured skin (an ''open'' wound), or a contusion (a ''closed'' wound) from blunt force trauma or compression. In pathology, a ''wound'' is an acute injury that damages the epid ...
or
perforation A perforation is a small hole in a thin material or web. There is usually more than one perforation in an organized fashion, where all of the holes collectively are called a ''perforation''. The process of creating perforations is called perfor ...
of the
vagina In mammals, the vagina is the elastic, muscular part of the female genital tract. In humans, it extends from the vestibule to the cervix. The outer vaginal opening is normally partly covered by a thin layer of mucosal tissue called the hymen ...
,
perineum The perineum in humans is the space between the anus and scrotum in the male, or between the anus and the vulva in the female. The perineum is the region of the body between the pubic symphysis (pubic arch) and the coccyx (tail bone), includi ...
,
rectum The rectum is the final straight portion of the large intestine in humans and some other mammals, and the gut in others. The adult human rectum is about long, and begins at the rectosigmoid junction (the end of the sigmoid colon) at the l ...
, or colon, resulting in serious injury and even death.


Non-penetrative

''Non-penetrative sex'' or ''frottage'' generally refers to a sexual activity that excludes penetration, and often includes rubbing one's genitals on one's sexual partner. This may include the partner's genitals or buttocks, and can involve different sex positions. As part of
foreplay Foreplay is a set of emotionally and physically intimate acts between one or more people meant to create sexual arousal and desire for sexual activity. Although foreplay is typically understood as physical sexual activity, nonphysical activiti ...
or to avoid penetrative sex, people engage in a variety of non-penetrative sexual behavior, which may or may not lead to orgasm. *''
Mutual masturbation Non-penetrative sex or outercourse is sexual activity that usually does not include sexual penetration. It generally excludes the penetrative aspects of vaginal, anal, or oral sexual activity, but includes various forms of sexual and non-sex ...
'': The manual stimulation of the penis or scrotum in males and the
clitoris The clitoris ( or ) is a female sex organ present in mammals, ostriches and a limited number of other animals. In humans, the visible portion – the glans – is at the front junction of the labia minora (inner lips), above the op ...
or entire vulva in females. Partners simultaneously stimulating each other's genitals by mutual or simultaneous masturbation, rhythmic inter-genital contact friction or actual penetrative intercourse can lead to orgasm in one partner or the other (or sometimes simultaneously in both). *''Dry humping'': frottage while clothed. This act is common, although not essential, in the dance style known as " grinding". *''
Handjob A handjob, also spelled hand job, is a sex act, performed as either foreplay or as non-penetrative sex, that involves the manual stimulation of the penis or scrotum by another person to induce an erection for sexual pleasure, sexual arousal an ...
'' or '' fingering'': Manual stimulation of a partner's penis, scrotum, clitoris or entire vulva. Known as "wanking" in the UK, and " fapping" in modern colloquial terms. *'' Footjob'': using the feet to stimulate the penis. *'' Mammary intercourse'': using the breasts together to stimulate the penis through the cleavage. (Should not be confused with a "boob job" meaning to have augmentive surgery done on the breasts.) Also called a ''titjob'', ''titty-fucking'', a ''tit-wank''; several other
slang Slang is vocabulary (words, phrases, and linguistic usages) of an informal register, common in spoken conversation but avoided in formal writing. It also sometimes refers to the language generally exclusive to the members of particular in-gr ...
terms exist. *'' Axillary intercourse'': with the penis in the armpit. Commonly known as "bagpiping". *'' Orgasm control'': By self or by a partner managing the physical stimulation and sensation connected with the emotional and physiologic excitement levels. Through the practice of masturbation an individual can learn to develop control of their own body's orgasmic response and timing. In partnered stimulation either partner can control their own orgasmic response and timing. With mutual agreement either partner can similarly learn to control or enhance their partner's orgasmic response and timing. Partner stimulation orgasm techniques referred to as expanded orgasm, extended orgasm or orgasm control can be learned and practiced for either partner to refine their control of the orgasmic response of the other. Partners mutually choose which is in control or in response to the other. *'' Orgasmic meditation'', is a mindfulness practice where the object of
meditation Meditation is a practice in which an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm ...
is conscious finger to genital contact. "OMing" is practiced in pairs, with one partner, gently holding the genitals with both hands, and that partner's index finger gently, precisely, slowly stroking the female's clitoris specifically and with both parties placing their complete
awareness Awareness is the state of being conscious of something. More specifically, it is the ability to directly know and perceive, to feel, or to be cognizant of events. Another definition describes it as a state wherein a subject is aware of some in ...
mindfully on that localized point of contact between them. Both practitioners focus their fullest attention on their sensitive nerve endings and on their finest muscle control in stroking movement to develop connective ( limbic) resonance between practitioners. The outcome, is not simply orgasm but interpersonal connection. The
slang Slang is vocabulary (words, phrases, and linguistic usages) of an informal register, common in spoken conversation but avoided in formal writing. It also sometimes refers to the language generally exclusive to the members of particular in-gr ...
term ''humping'' may refer to masturbation—thrusting one's genitals against the surface of non-sexual objects, clothed or unclothed; or it may refer to penetrative sex.


Genital-genital rubbing

''Genital-genital rubbing'' (often termed ''GG rubbing'' by primatologists to describe the behavior among female
bonobo The bonobo (; ''Pan paniscus''), also historically called the pygmy chimpanzee and less often the dwarf chimpanzee or gracile chimpanzee, is an endangered great ape and one of the two species making up the genus '' Pan,'' the other being the comm ...
s) is the sexual act of mutually rubbing genitals; it is sometimes grouped with ''frottage'', but other terms, such as ''non-penetrative sex'' or ''outercourse'', are also used: *''Intercrural sex'', or ''interfemoral sex'': the penis is placed between the partner's thighs, perhaps rubbing the
vulva The vulva (plural: vulvas or vulvae; derived from Latin for wrapper or covering) consists of the external female sex organs. The vulva includes the mons pubis (or mons veneris), labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibular bulbs, vulv ...
,
scrotum The scrotum or scrotal sac is an anatomical male reproductive structure located at the base of the penis that consists of a suspended dual-chambered sac of skin and smooth muscle. It is present in most terrestrial male mammals. The scrotum co ...
or
perineum The perineum in humans is the space between the anus and scrotum in the male, or between the anus and the vulva in the female. The perineum is the region of the body between the pubic symphysis (pubic arch) and the coccyx (tail bone), includi ...
. *''Frot'' or ''frottage'': two males mutually rubbing penises together. *''Tribadism'' or ''tribbing'': two females mutually rubbing vulvae together. *''Docking'': mutual masturbation by inserting the
glans penis In male human anatomy, the glans penis, commonly referred to as the glans, is the bulbous structure at the distal end of the human penis that is the human male's most sensitive erogenous zone and their primary anatomical source of sexual pl ...
into the
foreskin In male human anatomy, the foreskin, also known as the prepuce, is the double-layered fold of skin, mucosal and muscular tissue at the distal end of the human penis that covers the glans and the urinary meatus. The foreskin is attached to the ...
of another penis.


Group sex

People may participate in
group sex Group sex is Human sexual activity, sexual behavior involving more than two participants. Participants in group sex can be of any sexual orientation or gender. Any form of Human sexual activity, sexual activity can be adopted to involve more th ...
. While group sex does not imply that all participants must be in sexual contact with all others simultaneously, some positions are only possible with three or more people. As with the positions listed above, more group sex positions become practical if
erotic furniture Erotic furniture, also known as sex furniture, is any form of furniture that is designed to act as an aid to sexual activity. Some examples function as a positioning tool, assisting with comfort, penetration level and stimulation. Others are c ...
is used.


Threesomes

When three people have sex with each other, it is called a ''threesome''. Possible ways of having all partners in sexual contact with each include some of the following: *One person performs oral sex on one partner while they engage in receptive anal or vaginal intercourse with the other partner. Sometimes called a ''spit roast''. *The ''369'' position is where two people engage in oral sex in the 69 position while a third person positions himself to penetrate one of the others; usually a man engaging in sex doggie-style with the woman on top in the 69 position. *A man has vaginal or anal sex with one partner, while himself being anally penetrated by another (possibly with a
strap-on dildo A strap-on dildo (also strap-on) is a dildo designed to be worn, usually with a harness, during sexual activity. Harnesses and dildos are made in a wide variety of styles, with variations in how the harness fits the wearer, how the dildo attac ...
). *Three partners lie or stand in parallel, with one between the other two. Sometimes called a ''sandwich''. This term may specifically refer to the ''double penetration'' of a woman, with one penis in her anus, and the other in her vagina or of a male, with two penises in his anus. *Two participants have vaginal/anal sex with each other, and one/both perform oral sex on a third. *Three people perform oral/vaginal/anal sex on one another simultaneously, commonly called a '' daisy chain''. *The slang term ''lucky Pierre'' is sometimes used in reference to the person playing the middle role in a threesome, being anally penetrated while engaging in penetrative anal or vaginal sex.


Foursomes

*A ''469'' is a four-person sexual position where two individuals engage in 69 oral sex while a third and a fourth person both position themselves on each end to penetrate the two engaged in simultaneous oral sex; similar to a 369, with the addition of a fourth person.


With many participants

These positions can be expanded to accommodate any number of participants: *A group of males
masturbating Masturbation is the sexual stimulation of one's own genitals for sexual arousal or other sexual pleasure, usually to the point of orgasm. The stimulation may involve hands, fingers, everyday objects, sex toys such as vibrators, or combinat ...
is called a '' circle jerk''. *A group of males masturbating and ejaculating on one person's face is known as ''
bukkake is a sex act in which one participant is ejaculated on by multiple participants. It is often portrayed in pornographic films. Bukkake videos are a relatively prevalent niche in contemporary pornographic films. Originating in Japan in the 198 ...
''. *A group of men, women, or both, each performing oral sex upon each other, in a circular arrangement, is a '' daisy chain''. *When one woman or man is given the serial or parallel attention of many, often involving a queue (''pulling a train''), it is often termed a '' gang bang''.


Multiple penetration

A person may be sexually penetrated multiple times simultaneously. Penetration may involve use of fingers, toes,
sex toy A sex toy is an object or device that is primarily used to facilitate Human sexual activity, human sexual pleasure, such as a dildo, artificial vagina or Vibrator (sex toy), vibrator. Many popular sex toys are designed to resemble human genita ...
s, or penises. Scenes of multiple penetration are common in
pornography Pornography (often shortened to porn or porno) is the portrayal of sexual subject matter for the exclusive purpose of sexual arousal. Primarily intended for adults,
. If one person is penetrated by two objects, it is generically called '' double penetration'' (''DP''). Double penetration of the
vagina In mammals, the vagina is the elastic, muscular part of the female genital tract. In humans, it extends from the vestibule to the cervix. The outer vaginal opening is normally partly covered by a thin layer of mucosal tissue called the hymen ...
,
anus The anus (Latin, 'ring' or 'circle') is an opening at the opposite end of an animal's digestive tract from the mouth. Its function is to control the expulsion of feces, the residual semi-solid waste that remains after food digestion, which, ...
, or mouth can involve: *Simultaneous penetration of the anus by two penises or other objects. This is commonly called ''double anal penetration (DAP)'' or ''double stuffing''. *Simultaneous penetration of the vagina by two penises or other objects. This is commonly called ''double vaginal penetration (DVP)'' or ''double stuffing''. *Simultaneous penetration of the vagina and anus. If this is done using penises and/or
strap-on dildo A strap-on dildo (also strap-on) is a dildo designed to be worn, usually with a harness, during sexual activity. Harnesses and dildos are made in a wide variety of styles, with variations in how the harness fits the wearer, how the dildo attac ...
s, this is sometimes called the ''sandwich'' or ''BigMac''. The '' shocker'' (see above) accomplishes this using several fingers of one hand. *Simultaneous penetration of the mouth and either the vagina or anus. If the penetrating objects are penises, this is sometimes called the ''spit roast'', the ''Chinese finger trap'', or the ''Eiffel tower''.


Cultural differences and preferences

Sexual practices vary between cultures. Latin American couples that recorded their sexual activities do not practice the missionary position as much as couples from United States reported. The duration of sexual intercourse seems to be similar amongst European and Latin American couples. The duration of sexual intercourse can vary between 7–16 minutes.Monge-Nájera, J., Rodríguez, M., & González, M. I. (2017). Time to deconstruct the concepts of “foreplay” and “intercourse”: the real structure of human sexual encounters. Cuadernos de Investigación UNED, 9(1), 59-64.


References


Further reading

;Historical *''
Kama Sutra The ''Kama Sutra'' (; sa, कामसूत्र, , ; ) is an ancient Indian Sanskrit text on sexuality, eroticism and emotional fulfillment in life. Attributed to Vātsyāyana, the ''Kama Sutra'' is neither exclusively nor predominantly ...
'' *''
The Perfumed Garden ''The Perfumed Garden of Sensual Delight'' ( ar, الروض العاطر في نزهة الخاطر ''Al-rawḍ al-ʿāṭir fī nuzhaẗ al-ḫāṭir'') is a fifteenth-century Arabic sex manual and work of erotic literature by Muhammad ibn ...
'' ;Modern * * (235 pages) * (272 pages) * (101 pages—design criteria for assistive furniture, with sections on accommodation of disabled persons.) * (96 pages) * (376 pages)


External links

{{Sexual urban legends *
Sex positions A sex position is a position of the body that people use for sexual intercourse or other sexual activities. Sexual acts are generally described by the positions the participants adopt in order to perform those acts. Though sexual intercourse g ...
Sexology