Woman on top

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Short description|Sex position in which a woman is on top of another person}}

{{About|the sex position|the film|Woman on Top{{!}}''Woman on Top''}} {{multiple image | align =  | direction = vertical | background color =  | total_width =  | caption_align =

| footer_background = | footer_align =  | footer = Top: An illustration of a typical forward facing position (colloquially called the "cowgirl position").<br> Bottom: An illustration by [[Édouard-Henri Avril]] of the reverse facing position (colloquially called the "reverse cowgirl position"). }}

'''Woman on top''' is any [[sex position]] in which the woman is on top of her [[sexual partner]] during [[human sexual activity|sexual activity]]. The position most commonly associated with the woman on top is often called the '''cowgirl''' or '''riding''' position, which derives its name from the image of the woman "riding" the man as a [[cowgirl]] rides a bucking horse. In that position, a man typically lies on his back with his legs closed, while the female partner straddles him, usually in a [[kneeling]] position facing either towards or away from him (the latter called '''reverse cowgirl'''), and either the man or woman [[sexual penetration|inserts]] the man's erect [[Human penis|penis]] into the woman's [[Human vagina|vagina]] or [[Human anus|anus]].<ref name="discovery">[http://healthguide.howstuffworks.com/sexual-positions-dictionary2.htm "Discovery Health Sexual Positions"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115210600/http://healthguide.howstuffworks.com/sexual-positions-dictionary2.htm |date=15 January 2012 }} [https://web.archive.org/web/20170817092111/http://health.howstuffworks.com/sexual-health/sexuality/sexual-positions-dictionary2.htm (web archive)]. ''healthguide.howstuffworks.com''. Retrieved 22 October 2010.</ref>

The cowgirl position is commonly cited as one of the more popular sex positions, especially by women, because it gives them control over the rhythm and pace of vaginal stimulation and the extent and duration of penetration, and because of its ability to adequately stimulate the [[clitoris]].<ref name="discovery"/> There are other positions in which the woman may be on top, including the [[69 (sex position)|69 position]] and the [[pompoir]] sex position.

If a woman is on any of the top positions, the woman is usually the active partner during sexual activity, and in addition to satisfying herself can stimulate or massage the man's [[scrotum]], especially if his legs are spread. The woman may take the position in the course of sexual activity, especially if the man has attained [[orgasm]] while she has not; and in this position she or her partner may perform [[fingering (sex act)|fingering]] for her to achieve orgasm.

==Variations== Initially, the man typically lies on his back with his legs together, while the female partner straddles him in a [[kneeling]] position.<ref name="discovery" /> With the woman's legs open, either the man or woman would [[sexual penetration|insert]] the man's erect [[Human penis|penis]] into the woman's [[Human vagina|vagina]].<ref name="discovery" /> Once the woman has attained sufficient [[vaginal lubrication]], she feels comfortable in thrusting up and down the penis and is in a position to vary her position for variety and enhanced pleasure. She can, for example, tilt her body forward toward a full lying position or backwards, or rock sideways. The woman has control over the rhythm and speed of her thrusting. She can also spread the man's legs and position herself between them. In this position, she can tighten her legs at will, to increase the pressure on the man's penis and on her crotch, and the man can also tighten his legs to increase the pressure. In this position, the man's legs are free to raise, as high as the [[Amazon position]], with his legs rolled up towards her chest,<ref>{{cite news |title=18 Sex Positions for Incredibly Fit Couples |url=https://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/18-sex-positions-for-incredibly-fit-couples-w206577/the-amazon-w206582/ |website=Men's Journal |date=9 May 2016 |access-date=4 April 2019 |archive-date=4 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404031541/https://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/18-sex-positions-for-incredibly-fit-couples-w206577/the-amazon-w206582/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but this also should be done with care. These changes can alter the depth and angle of penetration.

The woman can also sit backwards on the man and alter her position similarly.

The woman may also be on top in a precursor to the [[lateral coital position]].<ref>{{cite book |publisher=Little Brown and Company |edition=1st |date=June 1970 |isbn=0-316-54985-1 |title=Human Sexual Inadequacy |url=https://archive.org/details/humansexualinade00mast |url-access=registration |last=Masters |first=Johnson |page=[https://archive.org/details/humansexualinade00mast/page/54 54]}}</ref> In this position, the woman will usually prefer to kneel, as a [[squatting position|squat]] will usually place a significantly greater stress on her legs.<ref name=sexinfo101>[http://www.sexinfo101.com/reverseasiancowgirl.shtml Reverse Asian Cowgirl Sex Position] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209114910/http://www.sexinfo101.com/reverseasiancowgirl.shtml |date=9 February 2017 }} Sexinfo101.com</ref>

===Cowgirl position=== [[File:Pompeii-wall painting.jpg|thumb|Depiction of the cowgirl position (also known as the "riding" position) from [[Pompeii]] [[Erotic art in Pompeii and Herculaneum|during the era of ancient Rome]], 62–79 BC)]] In the '''cowgirl''' position, the man lies on his back or sits, with the woman straddling him across his pelvis facing forward, either in a [[kneeling]] or [[squatting position]]. The woman will align her vagina with the man's erect penis, and lower herself onto the penis with either the man or the woman guiding the penis into the woman's vagina for [[sexual penetration|penetration]].<ref name="discovery" /> With the erect penis inside the woman, the woman can glide up and down the man's penis,<ref name="Kar">{{cite book |author=Nilamadhab Kar |author2=Gopal Chandra Kar |title=Comprehensive Textbook of Sexual Medicine |publisher=[[Jaypee Brothers]] |pages=108–109 |isbn=81-8061-405-0 |year=2005 |access-date=10 February 2014 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YxcjMPbGHQIC&pg=PA108 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627174010/http://books.google.com/books?id=YxcjMPbGHQIC&pg=PA108 |archive-date=27 June 2014 }}</ref><ref name=everydayhealth>[http://www.everydayhealth.com/sexual-health/sexual-positions.aspx "Sex Positions For Better Sex"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100902112205/http://www.everydayhealth.com/sexual-health/sexual-positions.aspx |date=2 September 2010 }}. Retrieved 22 October 2010.</ref> controlling the rhythm and pace of vaginal stimulation and the extent and duration of penetration.<ref name="discovery"/> The woman is free to change her position; possibilities range from leaning back to stretching out on her partner's chest to rocking from side to side or in a circular motion. Each of those changes would alter the angle and depth of penetration and which part of the vaginal area and sex organs are stimulated. The man's hands are free to reach and touch the woman's breasts, clitoris, buttocks, face etc.,<ref name="Kar" /><ref name="everydayhealth"/> and the partners can maintain eye contact. With the woman in the sitting or leaning back positions, the man may also [[Stimulation of nipples|stimulate her nipples]] and [[clitoral stimulation|clitoris]] with his fingers, or suck on her nipples if she inclines towards him or he raises his torso towards her.

In this position, a woman can continue with the up and down motion after the man has achieved orgasm until she reaches orgasm. Afterwards, she may collapse onto the man's chest, with her vagina being very sensitive to further stimulation. On the other hand, if the woman reaches orgasm before the man, the woman may raise her pelvis to enable the man to actively thrust upwards<ref name="Kar" /> or the couple may change to a position which enables the man to continue thrusting, such as the [[missionary position]].

===Reverse cowgirl position=== [[File:Michael Zichy-love1.jpg|thumb|Depiction of the reverse cowgirl position by [[Mihály Zichy]] (c. 1911)]] In the '''reverse cowgirl''' position, the woman straddles the man, facing his feet while either kneeling or squatting. Once either she or the man has guided the penis into the woman's vagina, she can keep her torso upright, lean forward or back to rest on the man's chest, or shift sideways as desired. The man's legs can either lie flat on the bed or be arched. The woman also has control over the pace, rhythm, depth, and duration of penetration. By varying her position and thrusts, she can adjust the level of stimulation for the man while simultaneously stimulating her clitoris or an area known as the "[[G-spot]]."

===Reverse missionary position=== [[File:PeterJohannNepomukGeigerEroticWatercolor06.jpg|thumb|Depiction of reverse missionary position by [[Johann Nepomuk Geiger]] (1840)]] When the woman lies on her partner's chest, this is also called the '''reverse missionary position'''. Stretching out with her legs on the man<ref name="Kar" /> puts more pressure on the woman's [[mons pubis]] and clitoris. If the man separates his legs, the woman can put her legs between his.<ref name="Kar" /> In this position, she can increase the tightness on the man's penis by pressing her thighs together, or the man may press the woman's thighs together. This increases vaginal friction, but she can still control the pace and rhythm of her thrusts. As most women approach orgasm, they experience acute [[vaginal contraction]]s,<ref>{{cite journal |pmid=8174183 |year=1994 |last1=Kratochvíl |first1=S |title=Vaginal contractions in female orgasm |volume=90 |issue=1 |pages=28–33 |journal=Československá Psychiatrie}}</ref> which also increases the man's sexual stimulation by increasing tightness on his penis. {{Clear}} ===Sitting=== [[File:Wiki-sitting-sp.png|thumb|A woman sitting on top of a man who is sitting in a [[lotus position]]]]In sitting/seated positions, the man sits on an area surface, such as a floor or bed, with his legs outstretched or crossed, with the cross-legged position called the '''lotus position'''/'''lotus flower''', and the woman sits between or straddles the man's legs, either facing towards and wrapping her legs around the man, or facing away from the man. This position is also known as ''pounding on the spot'' in the Burton translation of ''[[The Perfumed Garden]]''. Alternatively, the man sits in a chair and the woman straddles and faces towards or away from the man, with both of their feet on the floor.{{clear}}

===Sitting on lap=== [[File:A female patient sits on her doctor's lap. Lithograph. Wellcome V0011735.jpg|thumb|A [[lithograph]] by [[Charles Philipon]] of a female patient sitting on a doctor's lap]] Among adults, a female sitting on the lap of another person usually indicates an [[intimate relationship|intimate]] or [[romantic relationship]] between the two, or may be regarded as [[flirting|flirtatious]]. In public, such behaviour may be regarded as a [[public display of affection]]. In private, sitting on a man's lap or being pulled by the man onto his lap, especially if she straddles his legs or waist, when accompanied with a smile, kiss or other flirtatious gesture, may be regarded as showing either's interest in sexual activity or as [[foreplay]].{{Cn|date=September 2022}} It is rare for a man to sit on a woman's lap, though not for him to lay his head there.

The erotic significance in sitting on a lap is a factor in the erotic activity in [[strip clubs]] such as a [[lap dance]], where one person (usually a woman) straddles the lap of the other and gyrates their lower extremities in a provocative manner.<ref>{{cite book |last=Colosi |first=Rebecca |title=Dirty Dancing: An Ethnography of Lap Dancing |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1h03DwAAQBAJ |publisher=Taylor & Francis |date=2017 |isbn=978-1-351-56940-8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113223146/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=1h03DwAAQBAJ |archive-date=13 November 2017 }}</ref>

===Amazon position=== In Amazon position, the male partner lies on his back with his legs raised and his knees drawn toward his torso, creating space for the female partner to position herself between them. She then straddles his pelvis and lowers herself into a squatting or kneeling stance, guiding penetration as she descends. The thrusting motion is generated through her vertical movement.<ref name="BusinessInsider">{{cite web |last1=Fielding |first1=Sarah |title=3 ways to spice up your sex life with the Amazon sex position — and why it's great for both partners |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/reference/amazon-sex-position |publisher=[[Business Insider]] |access-date=23 November 2025 |date=21 August 2021}}</ref><ref name="MensHealth">{{cite web |last1=Zane |first1=Zachary |last2=Ritchey |first2=Cori |title=Try the Amazon Sex Position When Missionary Gets Boring |url=https://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/a28775637/amazon-sex-position/ |publisher=[[Men's Health]] |access-date=23 November 2025 |date=21 April 2025}}</ref> Although most commonly used for vaginal intercourse, the position can be adapted for anal penetration as well.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Noyce |first1=Eleanor |title=Want to try the Amazon sex position? Here's everything you need to know |url=https://metro.co.uk/2023/04/29/what-is-the-amazon-sex-position-and-what-are-its-benefits-18696221/ |access-date=23 November 2025 |work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]|date=29 April 2023}}</ref>

The Amazon position carries certain health risks. If performed without adequate control, communication, or care, it may result in [[penile injury]], including strain or, in certain cases, [[penile fracture]].<ref name="Cosmopolitan">{{cite web |last1=Pugachevsky |first1=Julia |title=Feeling adventurous? Try the incredible Amazon sex position |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/love-sex/sex/a24726019/amazon-sex-position/ |publisher=[[Cosmopolitan (magazine)|Cosmopolitan]] |access-date=23 November 2025 |date=3 May 2024}}</ref><ref name="BusinessInsider"/> The posture can also place considerable [[Knee pain|stress]] on the female partner's knees.<ref name="MensHealth"/> A variation of this position, sometimes referred to as the "reverse Amazon", involves the female partner facing away from the male partner.<ref name="Cosmopolitan"/>

==Advantage== An advantage of the woman-on-top positions is that the man's weight is not on the woman, making it easier for her to control the depth and speed of penetration. These positions are also beneficial if the man is recovering from a serious illness or surgery.<ref name="Kar" />

==Gallery== Sex with the woman on top has been depicted in art as far back as the 1st Century [[Common Era|CE]]: {{gallery|mode=packed |File:Pompeii - Casa del Centenario - Cubiculum - Love scene from north wall.jpg|A female is sitting on a male's lap, lowering herself on his penis. Wall painting from Pompeii, 1st Century [[Common Era|CE]] |File:Kama sutra 24 detail.jpg|Woman-on-top position in the ''[[Kama Sutra]]'' (2nd – 3rd century [[Common Era|CE]]) |File:Carracci Angelique et Medor.jpg|[[Agostino Carracci]] (1557–1602), ''Angélique et Médor'', two characters from the opera [[Roland (Lully)|Roland]] |File:Édouard-Henri Avril (14).jpg|[[Édouard-Henri Avril]]'s (1849–1928) image of a woman-on-top position |File:Édouard-Henri Avril (15).jpg|Édouard-Henri Avril's image of reverse cowgirl position }}

==See also== {{Commons category|Woman-on-top positions}} * [[Doggy style]] * [[Pompoir]]

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Woman On Top (Sex Position)}} [[Category:Sex positions]] [[Category:Kneeling]] [[Category:Squatting position]]