Missionary position

For the book by Christopher Hitchens, see The Missionary Position.

The missionary position is probably the most common human sex position. It is said that it is so called because this sex position was supposed to have been taught by Christian missionaries as the only "proper" sex position; this story is apocryphal and probably false, since it is doubtful that Christian missionaries would explicitly teach sex positions to proselytes. The term originated sometime between 1945–1965.

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The missionary position

In the missionary position

• The woman lies on her back, with her legs spread either flat (horizontally on the same surface as her back), drawn up towards her chest, or wrapped around the man. She can wrap both or just one leg around him, and on four different levels: resting on the back of his upper shins, around his thighs, around his buttocks/back or over his shoulders. Generally, the higher she lifts her legs, the deeper the penetration.
• The man lies on his stomach on top of the woman, with head and feet aligned, his legs between her legs, and his groin at the same level as hers to facilitate penetration.

Advantages of the missionary position

• Both partners can see each other, and make eye contact. The man gets feedback from the woman's facial expressions and sounds.
• They can combine sex with kissing.
• They can both caress one another.
• Penetration is relatively deep.
• The groin presses on the clitoris, depending on how performed.
• It is possible, though perhaps uncomfortable or difficult, for the male partner to manually stimulate the woman's clitoris.
• This position can produce a relatively quick male orgasm if so desired, but the control allows many men to go longer without orgasm.
• Many women enjoy the sensation of being very slightly 'submissive' to the male, and being able to caress him as she chooses.
• This position requires very little suppleness from either partner.
• This position is not very tiresome, and the woman particularly can just relax and let the sensations 'wash over her'.

Disadvantages of the missionary position

• Either the man's weight is placed upon the woman (sometimes, but not always uncomfortable for the woman) or he must support his weight upon his arms and knees (tiring for the man).
• It can be difficult for partners to manually stimulate the clitoris.
• There is an absence of visual stimulation (an important element in male sexuality) for the man as he cannot easily see the woman's body.
• This position sometimes produces a quick male orgasm (premature ejaculation).
• This position is considered by some to be "boring" due to its ease.

External links

• W. W. Schultz, P. van Andel, I. Sabelis, E. Mooyaart. Magnetic resonance imaging of male and female genitals during coitus and female sexual arousal. BMJ 1999;319:1596-1600 (18 December).

Articles from The Straight Dope on the naming of the position:

• Why is the "missionary position" called that? (1992)
• Assuming the missionary position…again. (2005)