27 Anal Sex Positions Both Beginners and Seasoned Pros Will Love
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If you're looking to try anal sex for the first time and aren’t quite sure what to do, we’re here for you with all the Butt-Related Wisdom you’ll need to open up a w(hole) new area of pleasure. “If your current sexual practices have become routine, exploring anal can be a great way to spice things up,” says Twanna A. Hines, M.S, award-winning sexual health educator. “Think outside of the box—or hole, as it were. The body contains too many delicious holes to limit pleasure to a couple of openings.”
Why go ‘round back? “The sensations that both the giving and receiving partner experience can be unique, extremely pleasurable, and very erotic,” says sex educator Searah Deysach, owner of online sex toy retailer Early to Bed. Anal works for people all across the gender and sexual orientations spectrums, she says. Plus, it can feel edgy and transgressive, which can boost arousal for some people.
Ultimately, anal should feel good for everyone involved, and shouldn’t feel painful, says Jess O’Reilly, PhD, resident sexologist at Astroglide. If it doesn’t feel good, she suggests you stop and regroup. “You may want to get more aroused, add more lube, play on the outside and spend more time getting to know your body, or start with a smaller object,” says O’Reilly. “Whatever you do, tune into pleasure as opposed to trying to engage in a specific goal-oriented act.”
The more aroused you are, the better anal sex will feel. O’Reilly suggests having an orgasm first the way you usually finish, or at least get aroused in any way that works for you before you explore something new. “You may find that you’re more relaxed after orgasm, and this can help to ease you into new explorations including anal play,” she says.
Before you dive in, here are some expert tips to optimize your experience.
Enthusiastic consent is a must. Talk with your partner before, during and after. “If you’re interested in being the receiving partner of anal penetration, be sure that you are communicating with your partner, starting very slowly (like with a finger or small toy) and using lots of body-safe lube,” says Deysach. “Avoid any numbing lube or gel, as pain is your body’s way of saying stop (or slow down).”
Lube=everything. “Your anus is a magical and beautiful place that can do some fantastic things, however, lubricating itself is not one of them,” says sex expert and relationship coach Niki Davis-Fainbloom. Keep smearing on the lube when penetrating someone with a finger, penis, or toy.
Stay safe. Play it smart. Remember, only five bodily fluids transmit HIV. Four can be commonly exchanged during anal sex: blood, anal fluids, cum, and pre-cum. Wear a condom to keep butt play safe and sexy, says Hines. "No double dipping! If a penis, finger, toy, or other object has entered your anus, wash it before putting it inside your vagina. If you don't, you can increase your chances of contracting a UTI, yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, or other infection."
Once you’re lubed up, aroused, and ready, here are the anal sex position we stand by. (And if you don’t want to go straight to penetration with a penis or strap-on, you can experiment with rimming, these almost-anal test positions, or even make your butt a no-go zone. Your body, your choice!)
The Squatter
“Some people find that they’re more relaxed in a squatting position, which can help to facilitate penetration and pleasure,” says O’Reilly. If that’s you, give it a go. Of course, O'Reilly says, all bodies are different, so if it doesn’t work for you, don’t fret and find another position that’s a fit.
How To Do It: The giving partner lies on their back. The receiver squats over their hips, slowly guiding them inside.
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The Downward Dog
If you’ve been faithful with your yoga, you can heat up downward dog with some butt stuff. “One partner sits on the very edge of the bed (or couch or chair). The other partner bends down on the floor in front of them and backs up into them,” says O’Reilly. Adjust as needed. If you’re using a chair, you can straddle their lap a little. If you’re on the bed, the seated partner will need to shimmy down.
This works for butt play, like using toys and fingers, or you can try it with penetration.
How To Do It: The giving partner sits at the edge of a chair. The receiver partner gets in downward dog position (hands and feet on the floor with hips in the air) then backs up onto their partner.
The Cheeky Monkey
If you love watching your partner's reactions and mutual masturbation, lie back while your partner straddles your legs. They can masturbate while you slide a finger or toy in their bum and behold your ass-tastic sexual powers. Try a wearable vibrator for you too and... holy hell.
How To Do It: Sit with your legs straight, leaning back against the headboard or a stack of pillows. Your partner gets on their knees and straddles your legs. Slide a toy or finger into their bum while they masturbate and a toy hums between your legs.
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The Headbutt
If you love 69, try enhancing it with butt stuff. The whole set up is surprisingly flexible. Give each other oral while you’re both wearing butt plugs. Give a blow job while your partner wears a prostate toy and you wear a panty vibrator. Use toys on each other while your finger bang each other’s butts. Up to you—you’ve got possibilities!
How To Do It: Get into a 69 position, curling against each other so you both have each access to each other’s butts.
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The Can Opener
If the receiver is feeling a little skittish, try a variation on missionary, with the receiver’s knee bent up between your two bodies. It gives them more control to slow things down and keep the penetration less deep. And TBH, nerves can go down a ton when everyone is super aroused, so it’s a good time to fire up a wearable vibe. “It does not interfere with the anal penetration, and the receiver gets clitoral and vaginal vibrations for three-pronged intensity!” says Deysach
How To Do It: The receiver gets in missionary position with their knee bent up between both people’s bodies.
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The D's Galore
If you’re into being extra clean before and after anal sex, hop into the shower with a partner. Lather each up beforehand and soap each other clean after. “When using a strap-on for anal play, it is a great idea to have the ability to switch sizes of toys easily so you can find the perfect fit,” says Deysach. Get a set with several different sizes to find the one that’s just right.
How To Do It: The receiver bends over a little in the shower so their partner can enter from behind. If you don’t have a shower bench or grab-bars to hold onto, try a sturdy suction grab bar
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A is for Anal Solo
You don’t need a partner for anal. Go ahead and get yourself started with an anal toy like a vibrating butt plug and use it when you masturbate. If you love it, you can graduate to larger, more penis-y toys, or just stick to your faithful plug.
How To Do It: Lean back on a comfy stack of pillows to masturbate. When you feel aroused and ready, slowly slide in a well-lubed butt toy
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T and A
Looking for a whole new angle on things? “Make a T Shape!” says Angela Rosario, sexpert and relationship coach at TooTimid.com. “The penetrating partner can rotate their hips side to side, or up and down to give their partner new sensations as they thrust in and out!” Pop on some nipple clamps to zhuzh it up.
How To Do It: The receiver lies on their side against the edge of a bed or table, facing away from their partner. The giver stands to enter.
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Butty Love
For lots of eye contact, Rosario recommends that the receiver put their feet or legs on their partner's shoulders in a V shape. “Eye contact, or being able to watch your partner enjoying the sex, can help create more intimacy,” she says. “It is also easier for the giver to pleasure their partner in other areas such as nipples, penis, or clitoris at the same time. Stimulation in multiple areas of the body at the same time can help many people orgasm much easier.”
How To Do It: The receiver lies on their back in missionary position but curves up so their feet or legs are on their partner’s shoulder in a V shape. Use a pillow under the receiver’s hips for a little comfort boost.
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The Snake
For more possibilities, the receiver can get into doggy position, then lower their upper body. “This is fun for a range of foreplay activities like rimming or using toys,” says Kelly Ashlen, founder of online sex toy retailer Sexsi Toys. “Having the hips raised makes penetration feel deeper and allows the receiver to reach under and stimulate themselves while a partner is penetrating.” Want to take it even deeper? Have the giver lean back, pulling the receiver’s hips in, she recommends.
How To Do It: The receiver gets on their knees, leans forward, and places their chest on the bed. For deeper penetration, the penetrator can lean back and pull the receiver's hips in.
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Hot Seat
Having something to hold onto can help the receiver stay in position and gives better leverage for shifting up the angle as needed. The receiver kneels by something that will contain their lust (beanbag, chair, side of bed) and holds the hell on. They’ll need it—the hot seat goes deep.
How To Do It: The receiver kneels in front of a chair, beanbag, or the side of the bed and holds on. The giver enters from behind.
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Your Ass is Grass
A CBD-based lube can make anal feel more intense and pleasurable. The receiver applies some in and around their bumhole a few minutes beforehand for maximum magic, then sits back slowly onto their partner's biological or store-bought D to take as much as they want at their own CBD-assed pace.
How To Do It: The receiver applies some CBD lube about 15 minutes before you start. When they’re ready, they slowly sit down onto their partner’s lap, facing away, with their legs outside of the giving partner’s.
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All Hands on Pecs
Anal sex can often leave the receiver staring off into the distance, so this position is great for people who want a sexy view. From missionary position, the receiver raises their knees, holding their hands onto their partner’s chest to help guide their thrusts. As long as you’re being all sexy, fire up a super luxe candle to create a romantic mood.
How To Do It: The receiver gets in missionary but raises their legs and knees a little higher so their partner can get in the right hole. If the angle isn’t quite right, put a pillow or two under the receiver’s butt.
The Plug and Play
If you're not a billion percent sure you want your partner to go all in, start with a test run. Try some clit love via toy or hand, while your partner attempts an exploratory excursion with a well-lubed butt plug. If you want more, move on to trial entry by penis or strap-on. Your butt, your rules.
How To Do It: Lie on your back and let your partner get you very aroused. Wait until you’re very you’re ready, then have them slide a well-lubed butt toy inside your bum.
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The Posterior Plank
Try this one if you want a position where everyone involved is the most comfortable they can possibly be. Plus, this position has the lowest incidence of suffering a sex-induced butt cramp, if that's something you're worried about. Perfect for when you're feeling lazy but also want to have anal.
How To Do It: The receiver lies on their stomach with their legs spread. The giver enters from behind, resting their weight on their hands and knees.
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Anal Will Always Love You
For a more intimate take on doggy style, the receiver stands in front of their partner and has them enter from behind, keeping your bodies close like they're your bodyguard. The receiver can reach back and rub their partner’s legs and ass affectionately, or for the grand crescendo, throw their arms out to the sides diva-style.
How To Do It: For easier entry, the receiver stands and bends over for their partner to penetrate. Then the receiver raises their body so they’re standing upright, pressing their bodies close.
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Back Me Up
A kinky take on doggy style, and who doesn't love doggy? The receiver needs to communicate what speed and depth they’re comfortable with in this position, but their partner can help their vulva-having partner stay horny by reaching around and fingering their clit with a fave arousal gel.
How To Do It: The receiver gets on their hands and knees for an anal version of doggy style. For a more relaxing experience, the receiver can lower their upper body and rest their head on a few pillows while their partner rubs the receiver’s ass and fingers their clit
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The Kinky Cowgirl
The receiver straddles their partner, cowgirl-style, slowly eases onto their, er, saddle, then rides away. “This position is a great one to allow the penetrating partner to use a butt plug at the same time! Because they are laying down and not moving too much, a simple plug or prostate toy can greatly enhance their stimulation,” says Deysach.
How To Do It: The penetrating partner lies back with their legs straight. The receiver then straddles them, lowering themselves onto their penis/strap-on
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The Low Rider
Get more control over what's going on back there by with a doggy-spoon hybrid. The receiver can use their foot to go deeper, or slow it down if it gets too intense. And, for extra good vibes, the receiver can press a wand vibrator between their legs.
How To Do It: Get in a spooning position, but the receiver turns so their body is half resting on their elbow and bent leg. The receiver can use leg to control how deep it goes—they can press closer to their partner for more or move away to slow it down or for a shallower penetration.
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T&Anal
A lying-down position gives the big spoon a free hand to access nipples and/or stroke their little spoon to orgasm. Plus lots of closeness for whispering sweet/filthy things to each other.
How to Do It: The giver enters from behind in a spooning position. With their top hand, they can give the receiver’s nipples or clit/penis love
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Jill Hamilton is a contributor for Cosmopolitan.com and writes the blog In Bed With Married Women.
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