Deep Penetration: 9 Positions & Tips For Full-Body Orgasms

Kneeling Sex PositionButterfly Sex Position

I've put together a collection of deep penetration positions above for you to scroll through.

Quick Warning: Porn has convinced a lot of young guys that every partner craves hard, deep thrusting, but as a woman, you'll likely find that being pounded like your partner's some kind of machine isn't necessarily arousing — it might not feel good at all! Talking openly with your partner is essential for a satisfying sex life, whether that's asking him to ease up, slow his deep thrusts, or spend more time on oral before penetration even starts.

That said, communication matters just as much if deep thrusting is actually what you want, particularly if a previous partner conditioned him to avoid it. A new partner might instinctively hold back out of fear of hurting you, even if deep penetration is exactly what you crave. He can't read your mind, though — so speak up!

Learn how to talk about sex with less awkwardness.

What's So Good About Penetrating Deep?

There are two sensitive zones tucked deep inside the vagina that you or a partner can reach if you're willing to do a bit of exploring.

• One is the A-spot, situated along the front vaginal wall near the cervix. Some women say they can orgasm purely from A-spot stimulation.
• The other sits in a comparable spot along the back wall, close to the rectal wall. Check out this guide describing its exact location.

The A-spot is notable for not getting oversensitive after orgasm, meaning you might keep enjoying penetration or continued play without the wincing discomfort that can follow G-spot or clitoral stimulation right after climaxing or squirting!

Why Do I Sometimes Like Deep Thrusting And Hate It Other Times?

It's completely normal for your enthusiasm for deep penetration to swing back and forth. Part of this comes down to where your cervix sits, which shifts throughout your normal cycle. During your period and shortly after, for instance, your cervix tends to sit lower and more open — and it's also firmer then, which can make deep penetration more uncomfortable.

Closer to ovulation, though, cervixes typically rise and soften, staying that way through ovulation itself [1]. That tends to make deep penetration feel better. Sometimes the cervix gets so soft and elevated during ovulation that it practically blends into the rest of the vaginal canal — potentially the ideal window to experiment with deep penetration.

Regardless of where your cervix sits or how firm it is, being slammed into too roughly with a cock or dildo just isn't going to feel good. Wanting to go deep doesn't require force. In fact, deeper thrusts often feel better when done slower and gentler — so ask your partner to ease off the intensity, which also gives you both more time to savor it. And during solo play, you can naturally control your own pace.

If your partner happens to be especially well-endowed, avoiding deep penetration might feel nearly impossible, and sex could even become painful (more on that here). Painful sex, known clinically as dyspareunia, affects women far more often than men [2]. Still, there are ways to minimize discomfort.

• Prioritize extended foreplay so your body is more ready for penetration.
• Lean on lubricant to smooth out insertion and thrusting.
• Try a cock ring or wrap your hand around the base of his penis to limit how deep he can go.
• Choose positions like spooning or woman-on-top, where deep thrusts are naturally less likely, or where you control the depth and pace yourself.

That said, cervical stimulation is essential to orgasm for some women [3]. Learn more about cervical orgasms and how to experience them.

How To Get More Out of Deep Penetration

If deep thrusting is your thing, lean into positions that let you feel your partner as fully as possible. Missionary can work well, depending on how your bodies line up, and doggy style is another solid choice. Cowgirl might become your favorite too, since it lets you dictate both speed and depth — giving you full control over just how much of him you feel inside you.

Add Pillows

Pillows are a simple way to achieve deeper penetration in familiar positions like missionary [4]. Tuck one under your hips (or butt, or lower back, depending on the position) to raise them and make deep penetration more accessible. A standard pillow works fine, but memory foam holds its shape better since it won't flatten under pressure. Brands like Liberator even make pillows built specifically for sex.

You can also experiment with leaning against furniture around the house if your bed isn't cutting it. An ottoman at just the right height might be perfect for Doggy or Turtle, for instance.

Try Toys

Toys make deep thrusting even more accessible. Penis extenders exist that your partner can wear during sex to add length or girth. This is a sensitive topic to bring up with any guy, though, since it can easily come across as a knock on his natural anatomy.

Ease into the conversation by reminding him how much you enjoy sex with him in all its forms. For most women who like it deep, that preference adds to the fun rather than being a dealbreaker — make sure he understands that context before diving in. If you're nervous about his reaction, you could frame the idea of extenders or toys as something you came across online — even point him toward this very article.

Thankfully, plenty of toys exist that either of you can use to reach the depth you're after — really, too many dildos and vibrators to count. Double-ended dildos tend to run longer, which you can use to your advantage for exactly the depth you want. Learn more about dildos here.

Vixen's Slim dildo delivers seven inches of insertable length. The stainless steel Eleven by Njoy or a longer glass dildo are other solid picks.

Plenty of vibrators fall in the six-to-nine-inch range too. Vibrators generally run shorter for insertion, but some G-spot-focused models run notably long. Fun Factory's Boss line and the Ovo E8 both run longer than average. Rabbit vibrators tend to be sizable overall, delivering both the girth and depth many women love.

Even so, you might already own a toy in your collection capable of the depth you're craving.

Deep Penetration During Masturbation

Your own fingers likely won't get you very deep, though a partner with longer fingers might manage it. Solo play basically requires a toy for real depth. The upside is that since you're only accounting for your own body, you've got room to experiment with all kinds of positions.

Sitting with your knees bent and raised — say, in front of a desk or table — makes it easier to reach deeper with a toy. This works especially well if you have shorter arms and struggle with depth in other positions.

Positions for Deep Penetration

Here are some positions worth trying for extra depth. Keep in mind that if your partner is larger than average, some of these might feel like a lot.

Cowgirl

Cowgirl isn't just great for deeper sex — you also get to steer the pace and rhythm yourself. You can lean in for a kiss, hold eye contact, and either of you can reach down for some clitoral stimulation. He's also free to reach around and play with your backside.

Learn More: Cowgirl Sex Position

Doggy

Doggy style is a fan favorite since it suits most body types and delivers both G-spot stimulation and extra depth. Resting on a pillow can help you find the perfect angle.

Learn More: Doggy Style Position

Anvil

In Anvil, you're on your back much like Missionary, but he leans over and folds your legs back toward your torso. That fold lifts your hips and butt, intensifying the sensation. Anvil can feel less comfortable if you carry extra weight around your midsection, so check in with your partner to find what works best.

Learn More: Anvil Sex Position

Deep Impact

If Anvil doesn't sit right, Deep Impact might suit you better. You lie on your back while he kneels near your hips, either sliding his thighs beneath your butt or straddling your legs with his own on either side. Kneeling naturally lifts your hips a bit, giving you deeper stimulation.

Rest your legs against his neck, chest, or drape them over his arms.

Learn More: Deep Impact Position

Right Angle

This one closely resembles Deep Impact, except your man sits rather than kneels, legs extended straight ahead on either side of your arms. Your hips stay on the bed while your legs point straight up, forming roughly a right angle with your torso, calves resting against him.

Learn More: Right Angle Sex Position

Sandwich

Begin on your back with legs raised. Your partner leans over you, Missionary-style, but grips the backs of your thighs and pushes them down toward your stomach. This tends to work more smoothly if your knees point outward rather than straight back.

Learn More: Sandwich Sex Position

Viennese Oyster

Flexible? You might love this one. Lying on your back, raise your legs while your partner folds them back as far as comfortably possible, holding your ankles down near the bed.

Learn More: Viennese Oyster Position

Turtle

Another rear-entry position, but instead of resting on all fours, you reach back and wrap your arms behind your knees, curling your torso tightly inward. Not every body will find this pose comfortable.

Learn More: Turtle Sex Position

Jockey

This one feels more laid-back since you're simply face-down on the bed. He kneels over your hips and enters from behind. You can stay flat or prop yourself up on your forearms — a pillow underneath can also keep your face from pressing uncomfortably into the mattress.

Learn More: Jockey Sex Position

You'll find even more deep penetration ideas in our complete list of sex positions.

It's Not Just About Length and Depth

The old saying about penis size holds up more than you'd think. Length matters less to a lot of women than girth typically does. A thicker penis can feel amazing even without reaching your cervix during sex. If that's your preference, tell your partner, adjust how you masturbate accordingly, and enjoy!

Deep penetration can also bypass some of the most sensitive spots in the vagina, including the G-spot, which usually sits just a couple inches inside the entrance. That means a long penis or toy isn't strictly necessary to hit it — a curved or contoured tip often matters far more for G-spot stimulation than sheer length, which can miss it entirely.

Technique matters enormously too. You might prefer deep penetration delivered slowly rather than at a rapid, pounding pace. Or maybe you love A-spot stimulation via fingers using a "come hither" motion. Perhaps the pressure of a toy or penis against those deep spots feels incredible to you — or maybe grazing your cervix is fine, or maybe it's a hard no.

Check out these images for more intense deep penetration positions:

Sandwich Sex PositionDeckchair Sex Position

Like most things sexual, deep penetration deserves a few tries before you decide how you feel about it. Whether you end up loving it, hating it, or landing somewhere in between, you'll find plenty of women who share your take!

Resources

This Women's Health Magazine piece rounds up additional deep penetration positions.

Kinkly also shares a handful of positions, some more exotic than others.

Dr. Justin Lehmiller weighs in on whether deeper is actually better.

This Chicago Tribune advice column breaks down good versus bad cervical pain during sex.

Learn how your cervix shifts throughout your cycle at Baby Hopes.

Readers weighed in on MetaFilter confirming that yes, men can sometimes feel IUD strings during deep penetration.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ #1 – Why does deep penetration hurt?

Your vagina terminates at the cervix, the narrow passage connecting it to the uterus. That opening is tiny, so a penis simply can't pass through it [5]. What happens instead is that deep penetration causes contact between a penis or toy and the cervix itself. Depending on where you are in your cycle, your cervix sits lower and firmer, making contact more likely — and potentially more painful than usual.

Does sex hurt? Read this!

If your cycle runs about 28 days, penetration often hurts less roughly two weeks before your next period, since that's typically ovulation [6] — when your cervix is at its softest [7].

Arousal causes the uterus and cervix to lift upward, lengthening the vaginal canal and allowing for deeper penetration [9]. Deep penetration can also become more uncomfortable with age [10].

If your cervix is consistently tender, deep penetration might just not be for you. But if discomfort only shows up with rigid materials, switching to something softer could solve the problem.

FAQ #2 – How can I experience deep penetration if my partner has a smaller penis?

Deep penetration can be tough to achieve with a less-endowed partner, especially with a micro-penis (tips for small penis sex here). With the right tools, though, it's still achievable. A penis sleeve, worn over his penis during sex, can add length and girth. Insertable toys like long dildos or vibrators are another route to the depth you're after.

FAQ #3 – How long do sex toys need to be to accomplish deep penetration?

The vagina isn't as deep as most people assume. A typical cisgender depth runs 3.5 to 5 inches, slightly more for trans women [11]. Some measurements of the aroused vagina come in as short as 2.7 inches [12], and Masters and Johnson's original research suggested 3.7–4.1 inches [13, p.74]. Arousal increases blood flow to the genitals — vasocongestion [14] — which helps the vagina lengthen further.

So these figures likely reflect maximum depth. An unaroused vagina measures shorter than a fully aroused one [15].

Look for a toy with at least five insertable inches. You can always buy something longer and simply not insert all of it.

FAQ #4 – Can deep penetration hurt me?

It can cause discomfort, though it's usually short-lived (find out what to do about painful sex). Some soreness the next day isn't unusual. Occasionally deep penetration causes light bleeding, and vigorous thrusting does carry some infection risk.

April 22, 2018