Sex is messy. Not just the physical part, but the data part, too. When people ask what are womens favorite sex positions, they usually want a simple list—a top five, maybe a "cheat sheet" to guaranteed satisfaction. But if you talk to actual sexual health researchers or look at massive surveys like the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior (NSSHB), you’ll find that "favorite" is a moving target. It’s not just about the mechanics of where a leg goes or who is on top. It’s about anatomy, blood flow, and frankly, whether or not someone actually feels like being there in the first place.
Let's get real.
Most lists you see online are written by people who haven't looked at a single peer-reviewed study. They’ll tell you "The Butterfly" is a fan favorite because it looks cool in a drawing. In reality? It might just give someone a leg cramp. To understand what women actually enjoy, we have to look at the intersection of physiology and personal preference. It's about more than just "the moves."
The clitoral gap and why position matters more than you think
Here is the thing. Roughly 70% to 80% of women do not reach orgasm through penetration alone. That isn't a "flaw" or a medical issue; it's just how human bodies are built. Dr. Laurie Mintz, author of Becoming Cliterate, has spent years shouting this from the rooftops. If a position doesn't allow for clitoral stimulation, it’s probably not going to be at the top of the "favorites" list for a huge chunk of the population.
This is why what are womens favorite sex positions usually boils down to one thing: accessibility.
Can she reach? Can you reach? Is there enough friction in the right spot?
Many women gravitate toward Woman on Top (cowgirl) for a very logical reason. Control. You can choose the depth, the speed, and most importantly, the angle of the dangle. By leaning forward, there’s more direct contact with the clitoral hood. By leaning back, the sensation changes to a deeper internal pressure. It’s a versatile tool, not just a position. Honestly, it’s about the autonomy to move in a way that aligns with your own internal map.
The magic of the "Coital Alignment Technique"
Ever heard of CAT? No, not the animal. The Coital Alignment Technique is a variation of missionary that focuses specifically on clitoral grinding rather than thrusting. It was popularized by psychotherapist Edward Eichel. In this version, the person on top moves higher up, so their pelvic bone makes constant, rhythmic contact with the clitoris.
It’s less about "in and out" and more about "rocking."
It’s subtle. It’s slow. For many, it's the only way missionary actually "works" for their pleasure. If you're wondering what are womens favorite sex positions, this technical tweak often turns a standard, boring position into a favorite. It bridges the gap between the internal and external.
💡 You might also like: How to take out IUD: What your doctor might not tell you about the process
Doggy style is a polarizing classic
You either love it or you're indifferent. There is rarely an in-between.
For many women, doggy style ranks high because of the depth. It hits different. From an anatomical perspective, it allows for a different kind of "G-spot" (the urethral sponge) stimulation because of the tilt of the pelvis. However, it’s also the position most likely to cause "bottoming out," which can be painful if the cervix is hit too hard.
Context is everything here.
Some women prefer a modified version—often called "Prone Bone"—where they lie flat on their stomach. This reduces the depth slightly but increases the full-body contact and creates a lot of pressure on the front wall. It’s intense. It’s grounded. It’s also a lot less work for the person on the bottom, which, let’s be honest, is a plus on a Tuesday night when you’re exhausted.
Side-lying and the "Lazy" win
We need to talk about Side-Lying (Spoons).
If you ask people in long-term relationships what are womens favorite sex positions, "Spoon Reaching" or "The Coiler" comes up constantly. Why? Intimacy. You’re skin-to-skin. You can breathe on each other’s necks. It’s low effort but high reward. It also allows for a lot of manual stimulation. One hand is free. That’s a game-changer.
It’s the "comfort food" of sex positions.
The role of pillows and props
We don't talk enough about the engineering of sex.
A single pillow under the hips can completely change the answer to what are womens favorite sex positions. This isn't just a tip from a lifestyle magazine; it’s basic geometry. Elevating the pelvis during missionary changes the angle of entry, often making it easier to hit the anterior vaginal wall. It’s the difference between "that’s fine" and "oh, wow."
📖 Related: How Much Sugar Are in Apples: What Most People Get Wrong
Then there’s the furniture. Use the edge of the bed. Use a chair.
When you get off the mattress, you open up a whole new world of standing or semi-standing positions that allow for a different range of motion. For many women, being at eye level or having their legs supported by someone else's shoulders provides a sense of being "held" that is as much psychological as it is physical.
Why "Favorite" changes with the menstrual cycle
This is a nuance most AI-written articles miss entirely. A woman's "favorite" position might change depending on where she is in her cycle.
- During ovulation: Libido is often higher, and deeper, more intense positions might be the go-to.
- Luteal phase: Some women experience pelvic heaviness or sensitivity. During this time, shallower positions or those with more emotional intimacy (like face-to-face missionary) might feel better.
- During menstruation: If she’s having period sex, positions that allow for easy cleanup or less deep penetration (due to a lower cervix) are often preferred.
Hormones dictate the physical landscape. You can’t ignore the biology.
Communication is the actual "Position"
You can try every move in the Kama Sutra, but if the communication isn't there, the position won't matter. A 2017 study published in The Journal of Sex Research found that "sexual communication" was one of the strongest predictors of sexual satisfaction in women.
Basically, the "favorite" position is the one where she feels comfortable saying, "Move an inch to the left."
It sounds cheesy. It is cheesy. But it's also true. The most "effective" positions are the ones that allow for adjustments. Rigidly sticking to a "top 10" list is a great way to have mediocre sex. You have to be willing to iterate. You have to be willing to fail at a position, laugh about it because someone’s knee popped, and try something else.
The myth of the "Universal" favorite
There is no "holy grail."
Some women have a retroverted uterus (it tilts backward). For them, certain deep positions might be painful. Others might have high sensitivity in areas that others find numb. If you’re looking for a definitive answer to what are womens favorite sex positions, you have to accept that the answer is highly individualized.
👉 See also: No Alcohol 6 Weeks: The Brutally Honest Truth About What Actually Changes
However, if we look at the common threads across surveys from organizations like OMGYES (which does incredible, large-scale research on female pleasure), the winners are almost always positions that:
- Allow for clitoral access.
- Don't require Olympic-level athleticism.
- Facilitate eye contact or physical closeness.
- Allow for easy rhythmic control.
Practical adjustments for better experiences
Instead of memorizing a name like "The Spinning Lotus," focus on these three mechanical shifts. They work in almost any position and are frequently cited by women as the things that actually make a position "good."
The Tilt
Small changes in pelvic tilt (using a pillow or a hand) change the friction point. If things feel "dull," tilt.
The Speed Trap
Faster is rarely better. Many women report that "favorite" positions are the ones where the partner can maintain a slow, grinding pace rather than a jackhammer rhythm. It’s about the build-up.
The Manual Addition
The best position is often the one where a hand or a vibrator can be introduced without anyone having to be a contortionist. If you have to stop the flow to reach something, the momentum dies.
Actionable Next Steps
To actually find out what works, move away from the theory and into the practice. Start by focusing on Woman on Top but with a specific emphasis on the "grind" rather than the "bounce." It’s a common favorite for a reason—it ticks the boxes of control and stimulation.
Experiment with the Coital Alignment Technique during your next session. It requires a bit of a learning curve to get the "rocking" motion right, but the payoff in terms of clitoral stimulation during penetration is significant.
Finally, stop treating "favorite positions" as a static list. Check in. Ask what feels better today. Bodies change, moods change, and the "best" move is always the one that’s actually working in the moment. Physical comfort is the foundation of pleasure; if a position is a struggle to maintain, it's not a favorite, no matter what a magazine tells you. Focus on the "Lazy Spoons" for intimacy and the "Modified Missionary" for targeted sensation. Keep it simple, keep it communicative, and keep a pillow nearby.