The Cowgirl Sex Position

Woman On Top Sex PositionReverse Cowgirl Sex Position

Cowgirl is easily the most iconic 'girl on top' position out there, and it's simple to pull off too. If you've never taken the top spot before, Cowgirl is the perfect place to start, and it opens the door to plenty of other positions in our sex positions guide. What makes Cowgirl so great is that you're the one calling the shots, which can feel like a fun change of pace if your man usually takes the lead.

Like we said, this position couldn't be more straightforward. Your man just lies flat on his back while you straddle him, knees planted on the bed on either side of his waist. Rest your hands on his chest, his shoulders, the bed, or even your own thighs to steady yourself.

What The Man Does In The Cowgirl Position

Technically, the man doesn't have to do much in Cowgirl — but let's be real, that's not really the point of sex! While lying back, he can thrust upward, gently rotate his hips to stimulate your vaginal walls, or combine both movements.

He can also slide his hands under your bum to help lift you if your legs start tiring out. From this angle, he's also well-positioned for a bit of anal fingering.

What The Girl Does In The Cowgirl Position

Cowgirl is a fantastic way to take charge in the bedroom, and being in control also makes reaching simultaneous orgasm more achievable. You can ride up and down on his penis, or rock your body forward and back to stimulate your clitoris and the surrounding area — essentially grinding against his pubic bone. Feel free to combine both movements too.

Leaning forward or backward also changes the angle of penetration. If you find yourself leaning back a lot, use your hands for extra support.

Things To Consider When Performing The Cowgirl Sex Position

Here's what tends to come up most, both from personal experience and from talking with students about the Cowgirl position:

• Plenty of women feel a bit self-conscious the first time they try Cowgirl. DON'T STRESS. Nerves are totally normal early on. Dimming the lights can take some pressure off, and some women find that leaning forward toward their partner's face helps ease self-consciousness while adding a nice dose of intimacy. Check out more tips for feeling confident on top.
• You don't need serious flexibility to enjoy Cowgirl, though a bit of it helps if you plan on leaning back frequently.
• Keep experimenting — shift your hips forward and back, lean your torso in different directions, and find whatever angle feels best.
• Even if it's less thrilling for your man, plenty of women report loving the ability to grind for clitoral stimulation while staying connected in this position — often preferring it to simple up-and-down movement. He can also form a "Spock" shape with his fingers, resting two on either side of his shaft for extra stimulation.
• Sometimes this position won't do much for your man, and that's genuinely fine — your pleasure matters just as much. Just remember sex is a shared experience between everyone involved.

Similar Positions

Reverse Cowgirl

Reverse Cowgirl – Face away and ride him from that angle. It's also one of the best positions for couples on the larger side.

Man Missionary

Man Missionary – Lean down further over your partner.

Asian Cowgirl

Asian Cowgirl – Plant your feet on the bed with your knees bent.

Corner Cowgirl

Corner Cowgirl – A great option when he's positioned at the edge of the bed.

Of course, it's worth trying every position where you're on top to find your personal favorites!

Sean's Thoughts On The Cowgirl Position

I'm honestly a big fan of the Cowgirl position — there's something great about watching my partner take the top spot. That said, I've noticed some women just don't click with it as much, which is completely normal too (there are plenty of positions I'm not wild about either!). Talking with women who weren't into Cowgirl, I've found the reasons tend to vary quite a bit.

Sometimes it comes down to confidence. Sometimes it's that they prefer feeling submissive during sex, and Cowgirl doesn't really deliver that. And sometimes they just don't get as much out of it physically compared to other positions.

February 16, 2021