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

The missionary position is a common human sex position also used by certain other species including bonobos^[1] and armadillos.^[2] In his seminal study Sexual Behavior in the Human Female (1953), which focused on American women, researcher Alfred Kinsey stated that 91 percent of married women surveyed reported using this position most often, whereas nine percent reported using it exclusively. The position essentially involves the partners lying face to face, with the receptive partner underneath with his or her legs spread apart.

Contents 1 Basic position 2 Variants 2.1 Anal sex 2.2 Side entry 2.3 Using a raised surface 2.4 Legs up 3 Origin of the term 4 References 5 External links

In intercourse in the missionary position:

• The receiving partner lies on her back, with her legs either spread flat (horizontally on the same surface as the receiving partner's back), drawn up toward the chest, or wrapped around the penetrating partner. The receiving partner can wrap one or both of her legs around the penetrating partner at various heights: at the back of the penetrating partner's legs, at the buttocks or back, or over his shoulders. Generally, the higher the receiving partner lifts her legs, the deeper the penetration.
• The penetrating partner lies on his belly on top of the receiving partner, with his legs between the receiving partner's legs, and his phallus at the same level as the receiving partner's orifice to facilitate penetration.

Through the use of penises, strap-on dildos, and anal and/or vaginal sex, any pair of people can practice the missionary position.

Main article: Anal sex

In the anal sex variant of the basic missionary position, the partners lie, as in the basic position, face-to-face with the receiving partner on the bottom. In order to achieve the correct insertion angle, the receiving partner's legs are usually raised, sometimes onto the penetrating partner's shoulders.

In this position, the receiving partner lies on his or her side to receive penetration. The receiving partner's upper knee usually will need to be drawn towards the chest somewhat. The penetrating partner kneels with one leg on each side of the receiving partner's lower leg, and penetrates. Alternatively, the penetrating partner can stand if the receiving partner is on a raised surface.

In this variant, the penetrating partner stands up, and the receiving partner lies on his or her back, on a surface at or somewhat below the penetrating partner's waist height. The receiving partner then lifts his or her own pelvis if necessary. The penetrating partner may support the receiving partner's weight with his or her hands. The receiving partner places his or her orifice in alignment with the phallus. A bed is usually the most convenient place for the receiving partner to lie, and this surface is usually lower than the penetrating partner's waist, so the penetrating partner may have to lean over the receiving partner, or the receiving partner may place a pillow or other object beneath the tailbone to elevate the orifice. A combination of these can be applied. Generally speaking, surfaces such as tables and countertops tend to be closer to the proper height. If the position can be accomplished with minimal leaning on the penetrating partner's part, partners are free to caress each others' bodies during intercourse.

This position was exceptionally popular in Ancient Greece and is commonly depicted on Attic pottery of the Classical Period.^[3] The conspiring women in Aristophanes' Lysistrata likely refer to it when they take an oath "not to lift high their Persian slippers" (ου προσ τον οροφον ανατενό τό Περσικα).^[4]

Most women find the position in which she lifts and bend her legs a little, resting her feet flat on the mattress to be much more comfortable than the usual missionary. Another possibility is for the woman to rest her feet on her partner's buttocks, which allows his pubic bone to gently rub against her clitoris. The deepest possible penetration can be gained by putting the woman's legs over his shoulders.^[5]. Yet another possibility is for the woman to lock her legs around her partner and even add to the leverage by squeezing him close to her, although this requires great flexibility.^[6]

A common myth states that the term "missionary position" arose in response to teachings by Christian missionaries, who taught that the position was the only "proper" way to engage in sexual intercourse. In reality, the term probably originated some time between 1945 and 1965 through a confluence of misunderstandings and misinterpretations of historical documents.^[7][8]

• Schultz, W. W.; P. van Andel, I. Sabelis, E. Mooyaart (18 December). "Magnetic resonance imaging of male and female genitals during coitus and female sexual arousal". BMJ 319: 1596–1600. PMID 10600954. 
• Assuming the missionary position… again. The Straight Dope. Cecil Adams (2005-06-17).

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Anatomy and fluids	Anus · Breasts · Clitoris · Nipples · Penis · Rectum · Throat · Vagina Pre-ejaculate · Semen · Vaginal fluids
See also	Sexual attraction · Romance · Affair · Marriage · Sexual arousal · Orgasm · Sexual fetishism · BDSM (Glossary of terms) Gynecology · Paraphilia · Paid sex · Pornography · Sex shop · Sex surrogate