Take your backdoor pleasure to the next level with anal sex positions that provide the best stimulation. To enjoy these anal sex positions (which range from beginner to advanced), all you need is some lube, patience, and willingness to experiment.
Many people are cautious about anal sex for fear that it may be uncomfortable. Good news: You can experiment to find which anal sex position best suits your body and desires, whatever your gender. In fact, many of your favorite sex positions can be adapted for anal pleasure. Whether you’re looking for prostate stimulation, strap-on sex play, or new sex techniques, these positions for anal sex are the perfect way to elevate your sex life.
The first step to finding the best anal sex position is to enjoy some anal stimulation with a finger or butt plug, along with some lube, which is a must for any type of anal play since the anus isn’t self-lubricating. Once you’re ready, pick one of the positions below. Discuss which anal position you want to try with your partner ahead of time. This can be part of dirty talk or a discussion about acting on your sexual fantasies. You don’t want to simply spring anal sex as a total surprise on an unprepared partner.
These anal sex positions range from beginner, to advanced, all the way up to expert skill levels. It’s important to remember that anal sex, like any kind of sex act, is designed to feel good. If it feels uncomfortable or hurts, stop, add more lube, and make adjustments.
It’s strongly recommended that before engaging in anal intercourse, you ease into anal play with manual penetration and/or using a butt plug (and since it’s so vital, here’s another reminder that you always need lube for any form of anal sex). New to anal plugs? Check out our blog post on how to use a butt plug. If you want to get ready for strap-on sex or anal sex with a partner, consider using an anal training kit, which helps you adjust to increasingly bigger widths and lengths. Then, you’re ready to get it on anally!
The Best Anal Sex Positions
Missionary Anal Sex Position
The missionary anal sex position should be familiar. It’s a variation on the missionary position, where the person doing the penetrating is on top of the receiving partner, who has their legs spread in a V or wrapped around their partner. After adding lubricant, the person on top (giver) inserts their penis or dildo into the receiver’s anus. As with any form of anal play, it’s important to go slowly and adjust the position as needed for maximum comfort.
Full Throttle Anal Sex Position
For those who like deep penetration during anal sex, the full throttle sex position is a perfect way to achieve that. In this powerful anal sex position, the receiver lies on their back facing the giver (similar to the missionary position), with their legs up on their partner’s shoulders. This allows for the giver’s entire shaft or dildo to penetrate the receiver, which can provide even greater pleasure for both partners.
Lying Doggy Style Anal Sex Position
Doggy-style anal sex is a very easy way to enjoy backdoor pleasure. This sex position involves the receiver lying on their stomach, while the giver positions themselves behind them and inserts their penis or dildo into the receiver’s anus. This position provides easy access and allows for the giver to easily stimulate the receiver’s nipples for added stimulation. The receiver can also stimulate their own genitals to help amplify their pleasure. For people with prostates on the receiving end of the doggy-style anal sex position, this can be an excellent way to stimulate this very sensitive area.
Standing Doggy Style Anal Sex Position
The standing doggy style anal sex position involves the same basic setup as lying doggy style, but standing up. This allows both people to lean their hands against the wall to provide extra support and to explore different angles of penetration.
Cowboy or Cowgirl Anal Sex Position
The cowboy anal sex position involves the giver lying down on their back, while a male receiver faces them and slides down along their shaft or dildo. The cowgirl anal sex position is the same, with a female receiver. This is a great anal position for anyone wanting major intimacy as you stare into each other’s eyes, while also allowing the receiver to have total control over the angle of penetration and how fast or slow of a pace to take.
Reverse Cowboy or Cowgirl Anal Sex Position
The reverse cowboy or cowgirl anal sex position involves the giver lying down on their back and the receiver facing away from them, easing down on their shaft or dildo. This position also allows for the receiver to be in control.
Spooning Anal Sex Position
The spooning anal sex position involves the partners in the spoon position, with both partners lying on their sides, and the giver behind the receiver. The receiver may need to bring their top leg slightly forward to make room for the giver to penetrate them. This position is excellent for those who want to go slowly, and allows the giver to reach around and stimulate the receiver’s nipples, clitoris, or penis.
Bent-Over Anal Sex Position
For a fun variation, the bent-over anal sex position is excellent for those who want to enjoy powerful thrusts. The receiver leans over the side of the bed and holds onto the sheets for support, while the giver penetrates them from behind. The giver can hold onto the receiver’s hips to pull them even tighter against them, allowing for deeper penetration. This anal sex position allows the giver to watch the action and have great control over the pace and angle. This is also an excellent position for strap-on anal sex.
Lotus Anal Sex Position
The lotus anal sex position is a seated position in which the giver sits and either crosses their legs or extends them in front. Then, making sure the giver’s penis or dildo is in line with the receiver’s anus, the receiver starts to penetrate them. In the lotus anal sex position, the giver or receiver can be the one taking charge. The two can be facing each other for added intimacy, or, similar to reverse cowboy or cowgirl, the receiver can face away from the giver.
Against the Wall Sex Position
This anal sex position is best for those who are very strong, as the giver will have to help support the receiver’s body weight. In this position, the giver and receiver are facing each other. The giver lifts the receiver up so they’re aligned, then enters the receiver, who wraps their legs around the giver while leaning their back against the wall. This position may not be sustainable for a long period of time, but it can be something you start out with, and then switch to another position to finish. We recommend that you build up to this anal sex position with experience rather than starting out with it during your first time.
Best Prostate Stimulation Anal Sex Positions
There are several anal sex positions that provide prostate stimulation. The prostate, sometimes called the P-spot, can be stimulated using sex toys known as prostate massagers, as well as by finger stimulation or by having sex with a partner. Only people born with a penis have a prostate. The prostate is a gland approximately the size of a walnut located between the bladder and penis. When stimulated, it can produce a prostate orgasm, which many find incredibly powerful. For some people, this sensation is so powerful that it may be overwhelming, so don’t assume that everyone desires a prostate orgasm.
Many find that manual stimulation of the prostate can be especially powerful. Always use plenty of lube, take your time, and pay attention to your partner. They will tell you what feels best to them. Just because you’ve been with one person who enjoyed a certain angle or position for prostate stimulation doesn’t mean that everyone will enjoy the same thing.
The following anal sex positions are optimized to stimulate the prostate. These can be used by two men, or during strap-on play (with the person with a prostate as the receiver): Missionary Anal Sex Position, Doggy Style Anal Sex Position, Bent Over Anal Sex Position (you can put a pillow beneath the receiver to raise them higher if needed).
Best Strap-On Anal Sex Positions
Strap-on anal sex (often called pegging) involves using a strap-on dildo so the wearer can penetrate the receiver. Before we get to the best strap-on anal sex positions, it’s important to make sure that the wearer is using a strap-on harness and dildo that fits snugly and is comfortable. You want to feel confident and sexy when wearing your strap-on, which will help you get in the mood and make the encounter more enjoyable for both partners. Strap-ons can be used for vaginal or anal sex, but make sure that if you are going from one type of intercourse to another that you thoroughly wash your strap-on beforehand. You can also use a condom on your strap-on dildo and then change condoms in between sexual activities. For more info, see our post on how to care for and use your strap-on.
The following anal sex positions are excellent for strap-on anal sex in particular: Spooning Sex Position, Doggy Style Sex Position, Bent Over Anal Sex Position.
Remember that you may need time and experimentation to find the anal sex position that best fits your and your partner’s erotic needs. You can try all of the above or find one or two favorites that become your bedroom go-tos. Make sure you use plenty of lube and give yourself time to explore and enjoy this special type of intimacy.
Want more sex advice? Check out all our sex and wellness blog posts, including our best sex positions guide and our complete guide to sex toys.
