The Pillow Trick
Scientists Reveal the Best Sex Position for Women to Reach Orgasm (and the One to Skip)
When it comes to female pleasure, the path to orgasm isn’t always straightforward. Researchers have long been curious about which positions actually work best for women — and now, science may have an answer. Spoiler: it’s not about inventing something acrobatic, but rather about a small, clever adjustment you can make with something as simple as a pillow.
The Position That Comes Out on Top
According to a study published in Sexologies, the classic missionary position still reigns supreme — but with a twist. If a woman places a pillow under her hips, lifting her pelvis slightly higher, the chances of reaching orgasm go up dramatically.
How did scientists figure this out? As reported by IFL Science, researchers monitored blood flow to the clitoris before and after sex while one couple (yes, just one — more on that later) tried five different positions. These included woman-on-top (both facing and facing away from her partner) and missionary, with and without the pillow boost.
The pillow proved to make a real difference, giving the clitoris more effective stimulation thanks to the subtle shift in angle.
The Position to Avoid
Not every position was created equal. Researchers found that the least effective was the woman kneeling on top of the man, facing away. In this setup, clitoral stimulation was minimal, and blood flow changed only slightly — not exactly a recipe for fireworks.
A Few Caveats
Before we crown missionary-with-a-pillow the ultimate winner, it’s worth noting the study’s limitations. Only one couple participated, and they were having sex in a lab under observation – hardly the most natural setting. Plus, measuring blood flow alone doesn’t capture the full picture of arousal or satisfaction.
Other studies paint a broader picture. For example, research published in Sexual Medicine in 2020 surveyed 20,000 heterosexual couples. The clear favorite? Positions where partners faced each other, with woman-on-top taking the number one spot.
The Bottom Line
So what can we take away? While science is still piecing together the puzzle of female orgasm, small tweaks — like slipping a pillow under your hips – can make a surprisingly big difference. At the end of the day, though, the best position is the one that feels most comfortable, most intimate, and most satisfying for both partners.
