Missionary Sex Position: 9 Variations + 7 Tips To Make It Hotter
Missionary sex doesn’t have to be boring. Here, sex experts share 9 steamy variations to enhance the classic position and 7 tips to make the experience hotter.
Sex experts swear by ‘The Seashell’ for an unforgettable O.
by Aryelle Siclait and Lydia WangUpdated: May 28, 2025 4:35 PM EDT 
1. Cross-Booty
EMILY SCHIFF-SLATERThe Cross-Booty position gives you the closeness of missionary but with a fun twist (literally). The giving partner enters the receiver from the missionary position, then slides their chest and legs off the receiver’s body so that their pelvis is in the same location, but their limbs form an “X” with the bottom partner’s.
Bonus? This unique angle gives the receiver ample opportunity to grab onto the giver’s back or butt while they thrust.
2. The Ballet Dancer
Standing up can definitely spice up missionary To venture into vertical sex, both partners begin standing close to one another. Then, the receiver can simply wrap their leg around the giver’s waist as that partner enters them. This position offers all the closeness and eye contact of missionary, but it’s undeniably a new experience. (Depending on the receiving partner’s flexibility, they can also move their leg higher to allow for deeper penetration.)
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3. Reverse Scoop
Or, if you prefer to stay horizontal, try out the Reverse Scoop. This one’s basically missionary but with both partners on their sides—think of it as cuddling while having sex. The dynamic combo of closeness and comfortability can help both partners orgasm easily.
4. The Cowboy
EMILY SCHIFF-SLATERThis one adds a little tightness and friction to increase sensations for both partners. To try it, the giver enters as the receiver lies on their back with their legs close together. Then, the giver sits upright on top.
5. The Seashell
EMILY SCHIFF-SLATERFor this one, the receiver can cross their ankles behind their head… but if that’s asking a little too much (fair), they can just bring their knees to their shoulders, says Nan Wise, PhD, a cognitive neuroscience researcher, certified sex and relationship therapist, and author of Why Good Sex Matters.
Plus, with the receiving partner’s pelvis angled upward and toward them, they can reach down with a free hand or grab a vibrator to stimulate their clitoris as their partner thrusts inside them.
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6. The Spork
EMILY SCHIFF-SLATERThe receiver lies on their back, raising one leg at a 90-degree angle. Then, the penetrating partner can position their body between the receiving partner’s legs and enter them. Together, your legs will form the tines of a spork (that’s a spoon-fork combo, ICYDK).
7. Lifted Missionary
If the penetrating partner is struggling to reach the perfect spot, there’s a fix. Invest in a sex pillow (or just grab a pillow you already own!) and slide it under the receiving partner to get the angle just right. Lifted missionary might also grant the giving partner better access to the receiver’s clit, if they’d like to use a hand or vibrator for some added stimulation.
8. Standing Missionary
Emily Schiff SlaterDid you know you can take missionary just about anywhere so long as you do it standing? That’s right—the shower, the kitchen, even the great outdoors, are all available to you with standing missionary.
The only issue you might run into here comes with height differentials. If the penetrating partner is much taller or shorter than the receiving partner, this position might not work as well. That’s okay—there are still tons of other missionary variations to try!
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9. The Coital Alignment Technique
Sure, it’s a technique, not a position per se—but coital alignment technique (CAT) can be a game-changer. “CAT is the single-most powerful position for two reasons,” says Wise. The first is that it increases stimulation on the external clitoris, which, if that’s what you’re into, will send chills through your body… in a good way.
The second perk of CAT is its ability to draw out intercourse because of the way the giving partner has to position their body in order to spotlight the receiver’s clit. Penetration won’t feel quite as deep to the giver, so it will likely take them a few more thrusts (at least) than usual to climax, Wise says. It’s the perfect move for partners who want to practice edging and for those whose tend to finish too soon and want to keep things going for as long as possible.
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To do it, the partner on top should angle themselves somewhat higher than usual, and then, both people move together to create a “rocking” motion that stimulates the bottom partner’s clit. “The CAT allows you to grind against your partner’s pelvic bone or base of the shaft, providing more external stimulation to the clitoral head and hood (as well as the internal rod/shaft of the clitoris),” says Jess O’Reilly, PhD, sexologist and author of The Ultimate Guide to Seduction & Foreplay: Techniques and Strategies for Mind-Blowing Sex.
How To Make Missionary Sex Even Hotter
Ready to level up your lovemaking? Ahead, the sex experts share seven ways to pump up pleasure in the missionary position:
1. Don’t underestimate the importance of erotic play.
What some might consider foreplay, Wise calls erotic play. Foreplay promotes the separation of the “beginning” from the “main event” when, in reality, it’s all sex—as long as you’re feeling pleasure, she says.
Don’t downplay the build-up, because it’s super important for getting into and staying in the ideal headspace for what’s to come. “Erotic play is important with all positions,” Laino says. “But because of the intensity of missionary, it’s especially nice to work into it.” (Gradual = less awkward, especially with a newer partner.)
So, instead of relying solely on the sensuality of missionary to make you feel connected to your partner, warm up with some light vaginal penetration via fingers, says Laino. Or, if that’s not your move, you and your partner can build intimacy by transitioning from kissing to oral sex to intercourse.
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2. Show your nipples some love…
Breasts and nipples are two of the biggest erogenous zones, so give them some TLC. Massage, suck, clamp, or lightly pinch them during sex, says Ian Kerner, LMFT, PhD, an AASECT-certified sex therapist and author of She Comes First.
If you’re on the receiving end of missionary, position yourself underneath your partner for chest-to-chest contact. This way, you can take toys and fingers out of the equation completely while your partner’s chest rubs against yours as they thrust. It might even be enough stimulation for a nipple orgasm.
3. …And your other erogenous zones, too.
Don’t forget to stimulate areas that aren’t between your legs or on your chest. Some less obvious erogenous zones are your ears and neck, says Wise. Ask your partner to lightly graze their fingernails against the back of your neck, or put your tongue in their ear after playfully tugging on their earlobe with your teeth.
You can also rub a sensual massage oil onto your partner’s erogenous zones (and vice versa!) to create an intimate pre-coital experience. Plus, the gentle oils can reduce the harsh kind of friction as your bodies rub against each other in the missionary position. “Lathering yourselves with massage oil can create a different sensation with skin-to-skin contact,” says Janet Brito, PhD, an AASECT-certified sex therapist based in Honolulu. “Just put a towel underneath if you care about your sheets!”
Of course, what might feel good to you might not be a sexy zone for your partner, so get their okay beforehand or stop if they say it’s not their thing.
4. Adjust your rhythm.
Sex isn’t a race (unless you’re looking for a quickie). So, instead of rushing to orgasm, slow down, says Wise. Focus on your breath and try to sync your exhales with your partner’s. This allows you to savor the sexual sensations you’re experiencing as a unit.
Or, in a move borrowed from tantric sex, you might exhale into your partner’s mouth while they inhale. Not only is this hot AF, but these deeper breaths will also increase blood flow and circulation to your pelvic area, upping your pleasure, Wise says.
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Still not it? Try switching up your moves while you slow down, says O’Reilly. Mix up the rhythm by moving your hips in a circular motion instead of simply moving up and down, she suggests.
5. Play with angles.
The best part of missionary is how easily you can change the placement and intensity of stimulation—just by switching your body angles. If partners want to experience deeper penetration, the receiver can place a pillow beneath their lower back to prop up their pelvis, says Wise. Tilting their pelvis upward forces the giving partner to thrust downward, and thus, more deeply. For shallower penetration, couples can try CAT.
6. Bring a vibrator into the mix.
To spice up the stimulation, bring your vibrator into bed. Use it before penetration—on your thighs, nipples, neck, and any other place on your body you’d like to amp up excitement, Laino says. Or when the giving partner is on top, they can lean on their knees while they’re inside the receiver and use the vibe on their clitoris, in sort of a modified missionary position, she adds.
The penetrating partner can even wear a vibrating cock ring to target the receiver’s clitoris and help them last longer, says Rachel Needle, PsyD, a licensed psychologist, clinical sex therapist, and co-director of Modern Sex Therapy Institutes in West Palm Beach.
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7. Give feedback.
This goes for any sex position, but especially missionary, since you don’t want your partner to think you think the sex is boring. “Take advantage of this face-to-face position to vocalize your pleasure,” says Wise. “By freeing yourself to make noise, you can supercharge your sexual experience.” So, if you feel something (good), say something—or even moan something.
Not only will hearing your own pleasure enhance your experience, but whispering positive affirmations into your partner’s ear will also give them the push they need to get more adventurous or stimulate that area you love in new ways. Win-win, right?
And, of course, you can always ask for feedback, too. “Check in during sex play to see what feels best,” O’Reilly says. “‘Do you like that? More here or there? Harder or softer? Slower or faster?’” Communication is hot.
Meet the Experts: Debra Laino, DHS, is an AASECT-certified sex educator and a board-certified clinical sexologist by the American College of Sexologists and The American Board of Sexology. Nan Wise, PhD, is a cognitive neuroscience researcher, certified sex and relationship therapist, and author of Why Good Sex Matters. Jess O’Reilly, PhD, is a sexologist and author of The Ultimate Guide to Seduction & Foreplay: Techniques and Strategies for Mind-Blowing Sex. Ian Kerner, LMFT, PhD, an AASECT-certified sex therapist and author of She Comes First. Janet Brito, PhD, is an AASECT-certified sex therapist based in Honolulu. Rachel Needle, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist, clinical sex therapist, and the co-director of Modern Sex Therapy Institutes in West Palm Beach.
Aryelle SiclaiteditorAryelle Siclait is the editor at Women’s Health where she writes and edits articles about relationships, sexual health, pop culture, and fashion for verticals across womensHealthMag.com and THE PRINT MAGAZINE. She’s a Boston College graduate and lives in New York.
Lydia WangLove & Life EditorLydia Wang is the love & life editor at Women’s Health, where she writes and edits content about sexual health, love and relationships, queerness, sex tech, and astrology. She is also the co-author of the romance novel Here For The Wrong Reasons, and previously covered sex and dating for Refinery29, Elite Daily, and more. When she’s not diving deep into the latest sex trends or researching the best vibrators on the market, you can find her reading at a coffee shop or watching reality TV.
Lovenil.com provides comprehensive guides on sex swings, including setup instructions, various positions, and usage tips to enhance your intimate experiences.
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