Let’s be brutally honest for a second. For far too long, the cultural narrative around heteronormative sex has felt a bit like a theatrical performance where the female role is “enthusiastic supporting actress” rather than the main event. We’ve all seen the movie scenes: thirty seconds of frantic movement, a synchronized gasp, and suddenly everyone is satisfied.
Real life? It’s rarely that simple.
If you’ve found yourself frantically Googling “best sexual positions for females” at 2 AM, it’s likely because you—or your partner—have realized that the standard “in-and-out” routine isn’t quite hitting the mark. And you aren’t alone. The “orgasm gap” is a very real, documented phenomenon.
But here is the good news: closing that gap isn’t about learning acrobatic feats that require a yoga certification. It’s about understanding geometry, anatomy, and, most importantly, permission to prioritize her pleasure.
This isn’t a clinical list of Latin terms. This is a practical, human guide to rewiring your sex life for mutual satisfaction, focusing on the angles and approaches that actually work for female biology.
The Crucial Crash Course: Anatomy 101
Before we dive into the “how-to,” we have to address the “why.” You can try every position in the Kama Sutra, but if you don’t understand the machinery you’re operating, you won’t get very far.
The biggest myth blocking female pleasure is that the vagina is the center of the sexual universe. It’s not.
For the vast majority of individuals with a vulva, the clitoris is the undisputed queen of the show. The vagina itself has relatively few nerve endings, especially compared to the glans (the visible head) of the clitoris, which is packed with thousands of them.
Authority Note: According to extensive data from sources likePlanned Parenthood, most women need clitoral stimulation to reach orgasm. Penetration alone isn’t enough for about 70-80% of women.
Therefore, the “best sexual positions for females” are almost always the ones that either:
- Provide direct, consistent friction to the clitoris during intercourse.
- Leave the clitoris accessible for manual or toy stimulation during penetration.
- Hit internal “hotspots” like the G-spot (which is essentially the back legs of the internal clitoral structure anyway).
With that foundation laid, let’s look at the playbook.
The Clitoral Champions (External Focus)
These positions are designed to ensure the external clitoris isn’t ignored during the main event.
1. The Coital Alignment Technique (C.A.T.)
Think of this as Missionary 2.0. Regular missionary often fails because the angle is wrong—the partner is thrusting “past” the clitoris rather than against it.
How to do it:
Start in standard missionary. The penetrating partner needs to slide their body upward a few inches, so the base of their penis (or toy) is pressing directly against her clitoral area. Instead of long, deep thrusts in and out, the motion shifts to a shallow, rhythmic grinding and rocking.
Why it wins: It turns penetration into a clitoral massage. The constant pressure is often exactly what’s needed to cross the finish line.
2. Woman on Top (The Reverse Cowgirl Variant)
When she is on top, she controls the depth, speed, and crucially, the angle. While facing forward is great for intimacy, facing away (reverse cowgirl) often provides better stimulation.
How to do it:
She straddles her partner, facing their feet. She can lean forward, resting her hands on their shins or the bed.
Why it wins:
This angle naturally forces a tighter squeeze and often presses the clitoral hood against the partner’s pelvic bone or thigh with every movement. It also allows her to easily reach back and add manual stimulation without contorting her body.
3. The “Criss-Cross” or Scissoring Hybrid
This is a variation of missionary where the receiving partner’s legs aren’t spread wide, but are rather brought together, squeezing the penetrating partner’s thigh in between their own thighs.
Why it wins:
Bringing the legs together tightens the vaginal canal for increased internal sensation, but more importantly, it creates a tight sandwich of flesh that ensures maximum friction against the vulva externally.
20 things women secretly want but you’re not doing
The Deep Divers (Internal Focus/G-Spot)
Sometimes, you want that deep, fulfilling feeling of being completely filled. These positions target the anterior wall of the vagina (the “front” wall toward the belly button), home to the elusive G-spot.
4. Doggy Style (With a Pillow Prop)
Standard doggy style is a classic for depth, but sometimes the angle is too straight, missing the front wall.
How to upgrade it:
Place a firm pillow under her hips. This elevates the pelvis and tilts the vaginal canal downward. When the partner enters from behind, the angle changes, directing the thrusts upward against the G-spot rather than straight back toward the cervix (which can be painful).
Why it wins:
It allows for deep penetration and an angle that feels intense and filling. It also leaves the front of her body completely open for clitoral access with a hand or a vibrator.
5. Legs on Shoulders (The Anvil)
This is missionary with the intensity dialed up to eleven.
How to do it:
The receiving partner lies on her back and lifts her legs high, resting her calves or ankles on her partner’s shoulders.
Why it wins:
This position essentially eliminates the vaginal curve, allowing for very deep penetration. The angle naturally creates significant pressure on the anterior wall. It’s intense, so start slow and communicate constantly.
The Intimacy Builders (Comfort & Connection)
Sometimes the “best” position isn’t about maximum friction; it’s about maximum connection and comfort, especially if energy levels are low or you want a slower build.
6. The Spoon
The ultimate lazy Sunday morning position. Both partners lie on their sides, facing the same direction, curled around each other.
Why it wins:
It’s low effort and highly intimate. While the penetration angle isn’t always the deepest, the physical closeness is unmatched. Crucially, it gives the partner behind incredibly easy access to reach around and stimulate the clitoris manually during intercourse.
7. The Lotus (Seated Face-to-Face)
The penetrating partner sits cross-legged (leaning against a wall or headboard helps). The receiving partner sits on their lap, facing them, wrapping their legs around the partner’s torso.
Why it wins:
This isn’t about hard thrusting; it’s about grinding and connection. You are eye-to-eye, chest-to-chest. It’s incredibly emotionally intense and allows for slow, deliberate movements where she controls the pace.
Quick Comparison: What Are You Looking For?
| Position Style | Primary Sensation Focus | Difficulty Level | Best For… |
| C.A.T. (Modified Missionary) | External Clitoral Friction | Low | Turning vanilla sex into an orgasm machine. |
| Reverse Cowgirl | Clitoral grind & Control | Medium | When she wants to run the show. |
| Doggy (Propped) | Deep internal/G-Spot | Low/Medium | Intense sensation and easy toy access. |
| The Spoon | Intimacy & Manual Assist | Low | Morning sex or tired evenings. |
| Legs on Shoulders | Deep penetration | High ( Flexibility) | High-intensity, “filled up” sensation. |
The “Secret Sauce” Beyond the Position
If you scan this list and think, “We’ve tried those, it still doesn’t work,” you might be missing the essential ingredients that make the positions effective.
Searching for the “best sexual positions for females” is useless if you ignore the context in which they happen.
The Lube Factor
Just use it. Seriously. Even if you think you don’t need it. Lube reduces friction that doesn’t feel good and increases the sleek sensation that does. It enhances sensitivity for almost everyone.
The Mental Game and Foreplay
You cannot jump from washing dishes straight into “Legs on Shoulders” and expect fireworks. Female arousal is often a slower burn that requires mental engagement.
Authority Note: TheMayo Clinicnotes that female sexual response is complex, involving physiology, emotions, experiences, and lifestyle. Skimping on foreplay means the body physically isn’t ready for the positions to feel good.
If her mind is racing with a to-do list, her body won’t respond. Foreplay—kissing, touching, massage, verbal affirmation—isn’t the appetizer; it’s the main course that makes the dessert (penetration) actually taste good.
Conclusion: The “Best” is What Works for You
The ultimate takeaway here is that there is no single magic bullet. Bodies vary wildly. The angle of a pelvic bone, the location of the cervix, or just the mood on a Tuesday versus a Saturday will dictate what feels amazing.
The best position is a moving target. It requires a spirit of experimentation, a lot of lube, and the ability to laugh when you accidentally fall off the bed trying something new.
Stop trying to perform sex like you saw in a movie. Start communicating about what actually feels good. If a position isn’t working for her, don’t just keep thrusting harder—change the angle, add a hand, or switch it up entirely. Prioritizing pleasure isn’t selfish; it’s the foundation of a healthy sexual connection.
