6 Comfortable Sex Positions To Make Sex Easier

There’s a lot to be said for energetic sex that requires prep, props, and poses. But there’s also a lot to be said for comfortable, easy sex. There’s a special kind of intimacy that comes with knowing your partner’s body and preferences so well that you can just ease into familiar and satisfying sex.

Keep reading for a rundown of our favorite comfortable sex positions, plus some ways to make any kind of sex more comfortable.

1. Missionary Position With a Pillow

Missionary is a comfortable sex position for a few reasons: it does not have to be physically demanding for either partner, it feels familiar, and you are face-to-face for easy communication (and kissing!).

Adding a firm pillow under the receiving partner’s hips provides support and makes entry easier for the penetrating partner, both of which contribute to comfort. For even more comfortable sex, consider an adjustable bed so that you can just dial in the perfect amount of support where you want it.

What We’re Doing

1. The receiving partner lies on their back on the bed with legs spread and slightly bent. The receiving partner places a firm pillow under their hips for support and a better angle.
2. The penetrating partner lies on top of the receiving partner, facing them and lying between their legs.
3. The receiving partner arches their back, and the penetrating partner uses their hand to guide their penis in.

2. Doggy Style With Pillow

This is another position where the simple addition of a firm pillow increases comfort dramatically.

The receiving partner does not have to support their entire body weight on their hands and knees, and the slight angle adjustment makes it more comfortable for the penetrating partner to enter (it also enhances deep penetration).

What We’re Doing

1. The receiving partner positions themself on their hands and knees on the bed. They place a firm cushion or sex wedge under their hips and belly for support and to adjust the angle.
2. The penetrating partner kneels behind the receiving partner, between their legs. The penetrating partner can grasp the receiving partner’s hips for support.
3. The receiving partner arches their back, and the penetrating partner uses their hand to guide their penis in.

3. Cowgirl (Leaning Forward)

Cowgirl is great fun because the receiving partner controls the depth, pace, and angle of penetration. This often means deep penetration and G-spot stimulation; plus, both partners have hands available for clitoral stimulation (with fingers or a small sex toy).

We don’t usually think of cowgirl as an especially comfortable position, but it can be when the receiving partner is able to lean forward slightly. This is less demanding on the core muscles because the receiving partner can brace against the penetrating partner’s shoulders. The penetrating partner can also bend their legs and the receiving partner can lean back on them for support.

What We’re Doing

1. The penetrating partner lies on their back on the bed. Legs can be straight or bent.
2. The receiving partner straddles, squats, or kneels over the penetrating partner’s body, with their legs on either side of the penetrating partner’s waist. The receiving partner can lean forward and brace their hands on the penetrating partner’s shoulders or chest.
3. The penetrating partner uses their hand to guide their penis in.

4. Spooning

Spooning is a cozy sex position with a full-body embrace and a lot of skin-to-skin intimacy. The position is comfortable for both partners. Penetration is generally not super deep, so there is not as much thrusting and it is pretty undemanding physically.

On top of that, spooning also works well for both vaginal and anal sex.

What We’re Doing

1. The receiving partner lies on their side on the bed, curled into a half-moon position with knees bent.
2. The penetrating partner lies on their side behind the receiving partner, wrapped around their body.
3. The receiving partner lifts their top leg (the penetrating partner can assist, or they can place a small pillow between their knees).
4. The penetrating partner uses their hand to guide their penis in.

5. Sideways 69

69, AKA mutual oral sex, is exciting and satisfying, but it’s not always physically comfortable, especially for the partner on the bottom or if there is a significant height difference between partners.

Flipping the 69 on its side changes that equation, though. It’s still very exciting and satisfying, but it’s easier to breathe and neither partner has to support the other partner’s body weight.

What We’re Doing

1. Partner 1 lies on their side on the bed. They can use pillows to support their back or place a pillow between their knees.
2. Partner 2 lies on their side with their head facing Partner 1’s feet and vice versa.
3. Both partners align themselves so that they can reach each other’s genitals with their mouths. Partners perform oral sex on each other.

6. Reverse Cowgirl

Like the classic cowgirl position, a slight modification (receiving partner leaning forward) makes the reverse cowgirl much more comfortable without sacrificing any of the benefits.

The receiving partner still controls the depth, pace, and angle of penetration, and the penetrating partner still gets to lie back and enjoy the ride and the view.

What We’re Doing

1. The penetrating partner lies on their back on the bed with legs stretched out in front.
2. The receiving partner kneels, straddles, or squats over the penetrating partner, facing their feet. The receiving partner can lean forward and brace against the penetrating partner’s legs.
3. The penetrating partner uses their hand to guide their penis in.

How to Make Sex More Comfortable

• Lubrication: Sex is almost always more comfortable with generous amounts of good-quality lube. Lube protects the sensitive tissues from friction and also enhances physical sensations. Water-based lube is safe for sex toys, condoms, and almost all bodies, but it can sometimes dry out quickly so you may need to reapply. Oil-based lube (or body-safe, food-grade oils) is thicker but not safe for use with latex condoms and some sex toys. Silicone lube is slippery and condom-safe but incompatible with silicone sex toys.
• Sex Toys: You may not think of sex toys as part of “comfortable” sex, but really, they can make sex much more comfortable for both partners by increasing arousal, erection strength (for people with penises) and natural lubrication (for people with vulvas).
• Masturbation: Like sex toys, masturbation increases arousal, erection strength, and natural lubrication when you engage in it (with or without your partner) before sex. It also makes the experience more comfortable overall when you know your own body very well, and masturbation is the best way to achieve this.
• Pillows: Pillows can provide support and adjust angles, both of which can contribute to making sex more comfortable. Your regular bed pillows are an option, but we highly recommend sex pillows. These tend to be much firmer for better support, and they are often designed with optimal ergonomics in mind.
• Music: Music can help you relax or get into a sexy mood, or both, depending on what you need to feel comfortable in the moment. Music is very personal so you know best what will work for you, but thoughtfully curated playlists can absolutely enhance your experience.

Have fun!

Maggie

Maggie Hart has written about sexual well-being and sexuality in society for quite a few years now. She is active in communities that celebrate sex for older adults.

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