Getting More Pleasures Out Of Sex

When people are looking to get more pleasure out of their sex life, there’s one thing that usually comes to mind: throwing out common sex positions in favor of more acrobatic ones. But there’s no need to. If the most common sex positions work for you, then keep them in rotation—and consider making a few tiny tweaks to help send your pleasure through the roof. Or, if they aren’t working for you, these tweaks might help you love them.

“The secret to having more intense, enjoyable sex is knowing how to angle yourself so that you’re hitting your most sensitive areas while allowing yourself to really let go and relax,” says Patricia Taylor, Ph.D., sex educator and author of Expanded Orgasm. And while pleasure definitely means achieving orgasm as often as possible, it also means feeling more turned on and connected to your body.

Rather than tackle the entire book of Kama Sutra—which, let’s admit, doesn’t always keep your head in the game—take some of the most common sex positions and add a little ~twist~.

Many people with vulvas like this position because you’re in control of the angle and thrusting speed. To make it even more intense, instead of simply sitting on top, get on your knees and lean forward, then move in and out nice and slow. “This will help hit your G spot while allowing you to angle your clit as you use your arms for balance,” says Taylor. (P.S Here’s How to Find Your G Spot) Starting off slow and increasing the speed is key, as it helps your clitoris get warmed up, so to speak. It starts as a small nub located just above the opening to your vagina, but as you become aroused, it grows and drops lower and, as a result, provides a larger area of sensation that increases your ability to orgasm. (These other clitoris facts will revolutionize your orgasm.)

Want even more of a twist on this common sex position? “If you’re in the mood for experimenting, try a vibrating cock ring,” suggests Taylor. “You’ll have a lot of control to really increase your sensation, or stop if it becomes too much.”

The Catcher, also called “The Great Bee” in the world of Tantic sex positions, is another level-up from common sex position rider-on-top. Instead of resting your knees outside your partner’s legs, you’ll plant your feet. From there, you can control your speed and depth to find the exact right spots for you.

That said, this is a great position for stimulating some of the deeper vaginal erogenous zones. “I recommend that the penetrating partner try making circles, going back and forth, or tilting side to side,” Carol Queen, Ph.D., Good Vibrations sexologist and curator of the Antique Vibrator Museum, previously told Shape.

When a partner enters you from behind, it’s a tight fit, but it’s also an ideal angle to hit your G spot. “The beauty of this move is that it also leaves your clit really exposed, so it’s easy to reach around and stimulate you manually, or for you to touch yourself,” says Taylor. (These are The Best Sex Positions for Clitoral Stimulation.)

There is one downside to doggy, though: rugburn and sore knees. To avoid both, try putting pillows underneath your stomach and chest for support, and keep your legs out straight instead of bent, suggests Taylor. “This lets you fully relax and savor the experience while still leaving room to reach down and touch your clit.”

As one of the most common sex positions out there (and widely enjoy ones, as well), it makes sense that there are plenty of ways to tweak doggy style to make sex even more pleasurable. Try dropping onto your elbows during doggy to open up your hips even more, which allows for deeper penetration, sex educator August McLaughlin, author of Girl Boner and Girl Boner Journal previously told Shape. (FYI, this variation of doggy is also ideal for anal penetration.)

A lot of people love a dual oral session, but here’s how to make it better: Both of you lie on your sides. Boom: Suddenly, you both have easier access to the goods. To make this common sex position even more earth-shattering, have your partner use a vibrator on you while you perform oral. sex. Not sure which ones to try? These are the best vibrators for both masturbation and partner sex.

There are few things cozier than the spoon, so getting it on like this can boost your pleasure because you’re already in a bonding position, and feeling connected helps you climax. “You can be really orgasmic in spoon because when you’re both lying next to each other with your partner against your back, the angle helps hit your G spot,” says Taylor. “Just be sure to go really slow so nothing slips out.”

To make spooning (or any common sex position, really) sizzle even more, Taylor suggests wearing a blindfold or using a tie to cover your eyes. “Turning off the visual cues temporarily encourages the sense of surrender, helping you focus you on deep feelings with no visual distractions,” says Taylor. “When this occurs, moans and groans register as more intense and intimate and add to the novelty. All of this can come together to create a very hot, sexy experience.” Oh, and since your partner’s hands are free in this position, grab them to show exactly how you want your nipples to be touched for even more stimulation. (If you’ve never used a blindfold before, check out this beginners guide to BDSM.)

To take this common sex position up a notch, Taylor says to focus on your breath. As you breathe in, your partner breathes out—doing this helps your body expand and open, offering up more opportunity to achieve orgasm, she explains. Why does this work so well in the straddle position? When you’re sitting face to face, you can look into each other’s eyes, and that boosts intimacy. Plus, your chests are free to expand without the natural pressure that happens when lying down. Bonus: Inhaling deeply during intercourse increases oxygen and blood flow throughout the body, so it’s more likely you’ll hit your highest notes. (Try these other breathing exercises for more pleasure during sex, too.)

As the most common sex position of them all, lots of people give missionary a bad rep, deeming it boring or basic. But don’t discount it just yet: This is a prime position for clitoral stimulation. Two tricks to try: First, prop a pillow under your butt, as that’ll change the angle of your partner’s penetration, potentially making it easier to hit your G-spot, says Taylor. Next, bring your legs close together so your partner’s legs drape outside of yours. Doing this tightens the fit around your partner and really creates friction on your clit. Before you know it, you may be paying a visit to O-town. (BTW, this version of missionary is also a tantric sex position.)

The twists on missionary don’t need to stop there. Continue playing with this common sex position by lifting your legs up (you can keep them spread, so one is on either of your partner’s shoulders or place both on one side). This is a great position for G-spot stimulation, sex coach Amy Levine previously told Shape. (Keep reading: 5 More G-spot Positions You Need to Try)