From classics like missionary position to unusual positions that seem like you'll need advanced gymnastics, we give an overview of sex positions and show you positions for every situation...
Sex is not a science and there should never be the claim to want to 'perform' particularly well. The good thing is that everyone can live out their personal preferences.
Some people need a change, want to change position as often as possible and prefer to gymnast up and down the whole Kama Sutra. Others, on the other hand, prefer a more comfortable position and prefer classic positions like the missionary position.
There are sex positions for every taste - and also for the most different situations. Here and there the body pinches, the knees hurt and not all us were made to bend in a Kama Sutra-like way.
For example, you are pregnant and don't know which position is comfortable for the growing baby bump? No big deal, there are special sex positions for that! You want to try out some really unusual positions, but you don't know which ones are available? No problem, here comes the necessary inspiration!
If you are looking for inspiration for your love life, there is no way around the book of books in love things. The Kama Sutra was probably written between 200 and 300 AD by the Indian author Vatsyayana Mallanaga and belongs to the Indian tradition of textbooks on eroticism.
The Kama Sutra is closely related to Tantra and contains detailed descriptions of sexual positions. In 1883 the Guide to Eroticism and Love first reached Europe, in an adaptation by Sir Richard Francis Burton and Forster Fitzgerald Arbuthnot. The Kama Sutra consists of seven books and serves lovers as a source of inspiration for the most diverse sex positions.
In this position, one partner sits down on a chair or on a bed. Your partner then sits down on your lap, facing away from you.
Pros: This position is great for people of all shapes and sizes. You have free hands to stimulate your partner from behind and the intertwining legs offers an increased level of closeness and intimacy.
Cons: This position is not ideal for people with joint pain as this can put a little extra pressure on your knees and thighs.
This one is perfect for people with even just a little bit of flexibility – it can feel great to add to the tension by stretching your partner's leg mid-thrust. While your partner is lying on their back, place their leg against your shoulder and lean in a little to create a little pull in the muscle.
Pros: This one is really straightforward, there's no Twister-style contortions necessary.
Cons: It might be necessary to swap legs to give your partner a rest.
Just because you're trying out the Kama Sutra, you can still make sure your session is more intimate than just straight up sex. Lie your partner down across from you and open their legs and simply enter her from a side-by-side position.
Pros: This is great if you're just starting to explore the positions and want to start off on something less intimidating.
Cons: Unless you're especially well-endowed, deep penetration may be difficult to achieve. However if you are on the larger side, then this is a good way to keep your partner comfortable.
Sex during pregnancy is undoubtedly different, but no less beautiful than usual. A survey conducted by the Berlin Charité hospital showed that women have sex on average 1.5 times a week during pregnancy. But which sex positions are suitable for which phase of pregnancy? One thing is clear: with increasing abdominal girth, flexibility decreases. In the first few weeks, i.e. in the first trimester, quite a few women have to struggle with nausea and other physical changes - sex therefore often falls by the wayside.
Many women reach orgasm particularly well during pregnancy because the organs in the pelvis are better supplied with blood and are therefore more sensitive. In the first few weeks there is no need to avoid sexual positions, the belly is still small and therefore does not interfere. This changes in the third trimester in a complicated way, because the belly is now large and women generally feel less mobile. Positions like the cowgirl are good because there the woman can control the intensity and the position.
Each partner lies on their side and nestles together, facing the same direction. Slowly enter your partner from behind. The good news about this position is that there's space in front for helpful items like a pregnancy pillow.
Pros: This position is great as your hands are kept free to pamper your partner and stimulater her clitoris with your hands or a toy.
Cons: Facing away from each other may make it a bit difficult to read your partner's reactions, so make sure to keep communication up verbally.
If you're already enjoying anal sex earlier in the pregnancy, it's fine to continue this with some precautions. Vaginal penetration from behind is also a great way to ensure your partner's comfort, especially if they can support their baby bump on something in front.
Pros: This position is great for more active sex and is also an excellent way to keep your hands free to stimulate your partner's clitoris.
Cons: It can be a bit draining to stand for a while, so make sure you talk to your partner about switching positions when you're ready.
The classic cowgirl position is great for early in the pregnancy as no pressure is placed on the baby bump, and keeps the pregnant partner in control of penetration and speed.
Pros: This position keeps the belly out of the way and is also great in reverse, with the pregnant partner facing away.
Cons: Late in the pregnancy, this can be a bit difficult to maintain so it might be a better idea to choose a position where the pregnant partner can do less of the work.
Sex is sport - anyone who has ever gritted their teeth at a sore knee during a moment of pleasure would agree. But even for this (emergency) case there are sex positions that fit perfectly.
Simply put, all positions that do not strain the knees. Sex while standing should be avoided by knee-damaged people, because just balancing around balance is a real pain in the knees. Men with knee problems benefit from the cowgirl position, women from all those positions where they can lie relaxed - like the missionary position or the spoon.
A good way to alleviate stress on your knees is to place a pillow under your hips. This will not only ensure your knees are less strained, but it also means your partner will be able to penetrate you more deeply.
Pros: A pillow is easy enough to grab, so there are no special tools and tricks you'll need to grab for this position.
Cons: It's important to make sure the pillow is in a secure position, otherwise it might move during the session.
A great way to ensure both you and your partner have equal fun during sex is to try it in the morning. As the day progresses, so does the level of discomfort and soreness for most people with bad joints. The morning is the perfect time to squeeze in some sex while you're both still feeling 100%.
Pros: No need to take things to the bedroom, you're both already there!
Cons: Spooning might be the best option here, as morning breath can sometimes be a bit of a mood-killer.
If you have access to a bath tub or spa, it might be the perfect solution for those sore joints. The buoyancy of water means that a lot of pressure is taken off your knees and hips during sex.
Pros: The spa or bath is not only great for your joints, it's also a nice change of pace from having sex in bed.
Cons: You'll need to make sure lube is involved and make sure you're both up to date with contraception/STI checks, as condoms are not reliable in the tub.
