The 5 Worst Sex Positions Ever

It might be time to mix things up in the bedroom. We surveyed over 1,200 Women’s Health readers about your least favorite sex positions, and women rated common moves like doggy style, reverse cowgirl, and 69 as the worst.

Chances are, those sex staples have been in your arsenal for a while now. So we consulted with top experts to uncover why these five positions just aren’t cutting it—and the upgrades you must make to satisfy your sex drive. 

1. Doggy Style

Why you're not into it: Put simply, it’s too painful. Your guy may be ramming your cervix, "which is why deep penetration is often more harmful than hot,” says Sara Gottfried, M.D., OB/GYN, author of The Hormone Cure.

Plus, if he's fully removing himself, then re-entering you, it often hurts your chances at staying fully lubricated, Dr. Gottfried explains. (Check out this lube if you’re looking for one that will work for both of you.)

Women in our survey also said doggy’s not intimate enough. Even though rough sex can be awesome if you’re both into it, most women are looking for more of a connection during sex, Dr. Gottfried says.

And we all know your view of the bed when you're in this position isn’t nearly as stimulating as the view he's enjoying.

How to fix it: To prevent the bump and grind from getting painful, keep his thrusts short and shallow, rather than deep and fast.

Shallow thrusts will stimulate the front third of your vagina, which is the most sensitive part, says Rebecca Rosenblat, a sex therapist and the author of Seducing Your Man.

Up the intimacy factor by having him run his hands through your hair, and down your spine, and encourage him to occasionally lean forward to kiss and suck on your neck.

And don’t forget the clitoral stimulation, Dr. Gottfried advises. Just because he's focusing on your backside, doesn’t mean he should neglect your most sensitive spots.

Watch men and women come up with names for these adventurous sex positions:

2. Woman on Top

Why you're not into it: According to our survey, a majority of women feel more self-conscious when they’re on top.

And even though your guy probably think you look like a rock star, we know even the tiniest shred of doubt can put out your fire. (Speed up your progress towards your weight-loss goals with Women's Health's Look Better Naked DVD.)

How to fix it: Switch into a side-by-side position like “The Spork.” Lie on your back, and raise your right leg.

Slot him between your legs at a 90-degree angle and have him ease inside. This way, your legs will form the tines of a spork utensil. (Check out 45 Best Sex Positions Every Man Should Try.)

3. Reverse Cowgirl

Why you're not into it: Because it’s hard for you to climax like that—and not everything fits when you're riding in reverse.

“Reverse cowgirl may seem sexy and adventurous, but when [he] actually tries to enter [you], things might not fit the way you think that they should,” says Jen Landa, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of BodyLogicMD and author of The Sex Drive Solution for Women.

It often boils down to the curvature of his penis not coinciding with the angle of your vagina, Dr. Landa says. Realistically, any time he bends his penis too far at the base, it’s also not only uncomfortable for you, it becomes dangerous for him.

In other words, he could break his junk.

How to fix it: Switch to doggy. The fit’s more practical, and he can help you reach orgasm, says Dr. Landa.

But if you still want the naughtiness factor, put the doggy to bed. Do this: Stand up, bend forward, and place your hands on a stable mirror, then have him enter you from behind. 

He'll still be able to manually stimulate you, but now you can both use the mirror to your advantage.

4. Missionary

Why you're not into it: It doesn’t hit the right spots. Plus, if he's on the smaller end of the spectrum, this position doesn't really accentuate his size, Dr. Landa says.

How to fix it: Try using the Coital Alignment Technique (CAT)—just don't call it that in bed. The position is similar to missionary, except his body is farther up and to one side. (So rather than being chest to chest, his chest is near your shoulders.)

Bend your legs about 45 degrees to tilt your hips up, which causes the base of his shaft to maintain constant contact with your clitoris.

Even though the name is a mouthful, the move is proven to work: Women who were unable to climax in regular missionary were 56 percent more likely to climax using CAT, according to a study from the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy. 

Why you're not into it: You're, well, preoccupied. According to our survey results, women say it’s too difficult to focus on receiving pleasure when they have to concentrate on giving it.

And pleasure and reaching climax is heavily determined by your mental state, Dr. Landa says. So it becomes difficult to relax and enjoy his oral skills if you're trying to take care of his needs at the same time.

How to fix it: If you want to get the most out of oral sex, you’re better off taking turns giving and receiving.

Many women claim 69 feels anonymous to them, because they want their partner to be able to look them in the eyes and feel a connection, says Gottfried.

If he sticks to giving first, you're way more likely to enjoy yourself. 

The article The 5 Worst Sex Positions Ever originally appeared on Men’s Health.