It’s often perceived as the most boring sex position, but a new study may paint missionary in a new light.
Researchers have revealed that missionary is the best position for reaching female orgasm – as long as you use a pillow.
In a new study, researchers from private gynaecology clinic New H Medical in New York assessed blood flow to the clitoris during popular poses including missionary, sitting face-to-face and rear entry.
Their findings show that blood flow to the clitoris – a key step towards the ‘big O’ – is greatest when the man is on top during missionary, with a pillow placed beneath the woman’s pelvis.
Researchers have revealed that missionary is the best position for reaching female orgasm – as long as you use a pillow
In the study, the team set out to understand the best sex positions for female orgasm.
‘The purported benefits of various coital positions are described in numerous magazines, books, and public forums,’ the team, led by Dr Kimberley Lovie wrote.
‘However, there is little scientific research that evaluates the association between different coital positions and their ability to produce female orgasm.’
Using an ultrasound scanner, the researchers studied a volunteer couple while they engaged in sex in five popular positions for 10 minutes.
The positions chosen were face-to-face/female above, sitting/face-to-face, face-to-face/male above (with and without pillow), and kneeling/rear entry.
‘The objective was to compare clitoral blood flow before and after coitus in each of the five positions, after a standardised period of time,’ the researchers explained.
The scans suggest that face-to-face positions are the most effective at stimulating clitoral blood flow.
‘The kneeling/rear entry position produces the least amount of direct clitoral contact, and resulted in a negligible increase in blood flow compared to the face-to-face positions,’ the researchers wrote.
The kneeling/rear entry position produced the least amount of direct clitoral contact, and resulted in a negligible increase in blood flow compared to the face-to-face positions
It was the face-to-face/male above with pillow position that led to the largest increase in blood flow to the clitoris
However, it was the face-to-face/male above with pillow position that led to the largest increase in blood flow to the clitoris.
‘Pillows marketed for this intention, often referred to as “sex pillows,” or “positioning pillows” are usually firm and wedged shaped, providing more precise and consistent pelvic angulation than conventional bed pillows,’ the researchers explained.
The addition of a pillow allows the female to adjust the amount of contact between her clitoris and her partner’s skin, according to the researchers.
‘In addition to increasing the amount of contact and pressure on the clitoris, pillows can increase the depth of penetration,’ they added.
The researchers highlight that different women will likely have different responsiveness to stimulation in different sex positions, while different men might exert different degrees of ‘thrusting forces’.
However, they hope the findings will aid clinicians helping patients with sexual dysfunction.
‘Difficulty achieving orgasm, the causes of which are multifactorial, is one component of sexual dysfunction,’ they concluded.
‘Clinicians can use these findings to counsel patients about which coital positions might help them achieve climax.’
