If you’re one of the millions of women who have difficulty achieving orgasm through intercourse alone, this article is for you. The positions discussed here relate to vaginal penetration only, so if your partner is female, you will need to use a strap-on apparatus to complete them. In the interest of clarity, I will simply use the term “phallus” from now on to refer to your partner's genitalia, whether it be a male penis or a phallic sex toy.
1) You on top – I have close friends who report that this is the only way they can achieve orgasm during intercourse. The position is optimal for positioning your clitoris against the phallus or pelvic bone of your partner, and also controlling the speed, intensity, and amount of pressure on your vaginal area throughout the sexual encounter.
2) Your partner on top – What is colloquially known as "the missionary position" is pretty standard these days, but here’s why it’s great for us women: we don’t have to do anything! We can lie on our backs and be completely relaxed, which allows more blood to circulate to the pelvic region. It can also facilitate a greater degree of psychological stimulation due to the body's tranquil state. NOTE: If you need to stimulate yourself manually to achieve orgasm in this position, don’t be afraid to do so.
3) From behind, as you stand and bend over the bed – This position is the most comfortable of all of the “behind positions,” as it doesn’t lead to knee pain and you don’t have to worry about differences in height (the position can easily be adjusted by moving your legs farther apart). This can contribute to an orgasm simply because it has that “from behind” feel without all the discomfort. Just prop a few pillows under your belly and have at it!
4) You on top, faced away from your partner – Commonly known as the “reverse cowgirl,” this position is somewhat hit-or-miss. Some women don’t like how it feels, but others find that it enhances pleasure by removing the face-to-face element from sex. You don’t have to worry about what your partner thinks of your “orgasm face” or how you look during sex, and you can also control how deep or fast the penetration is.
5) The half-shoulder – In the half-shoulder, you assume the missionary position while putting only one leg up on your partner’s shoulder. This position is perfect for orgasm, because it opens up the clitoral and labial folds, thus enabling you to pleasure the area with your fingers or a vibrator.
Of course, vaginal penetration isn’t for everyone. An estimated 24.1% of women have difficulty achieving orgasm during sex; so don’t get discouraged if you can’t climax through intercourse alone. If these positions don't work for you, I encourage you to explore other methods (such as manual or oral stimulation) to pursue your own personal pleasure.