When it comes to sex positions, men and women aren’t always on the same page. While there are definitely places where we overlap — both men and women listed doggy style as their favorite sex position in a recent survey by online doctor DrEd — there are places where we couldn’t be more different. Not just in our sex position preferences, but in how we learn about new positions, communicate them to our partners, and even how we execute them — should we find the courage to do so, in the hopes of not hurting ourselves in the process.
DrEd surveyed over 2,000 people across the U.S., U.K., and Europe to see what sex positions are favorites, not just by gender, but in each country, too. What they found was that women are a bit more tame in their sexual choices and sexual desires. They're even less vocal in regards to what they want to do in bed, in many cases letting a male partner take the reigns. Which, honestly, is sort of surprising in 2016 where being sexually liberated and sex positive is something that so many women have integrated into their every day life.
So if you’re wondering where you fall in regards the topic of sex positions, wonder no more. Here are seven findings from Dr. Ed’s study that will show you just how much you have common in with your fellow women — or not.
1. Women Love Doggy Style
Both men and women listed doggy style as their favorite position. This probably has a lot to do with the fact that the angle is great for maximum deepness and G-spot stimulation. As for rounding out the top favorite positions for women, missionary and cowgirl came in second and third place, respectively. At the bottom of the list, at number 10, was tabletop sex.
2. Women Just Aren’t All That Into Anal
Although the top 10 favorite positions for both men and women are pretty much the same, despite being in a different order of what’s favorite, the one difference in the list was anal. Nowhere in the top 10 list did women list anal as a favorite sex position or even a position they want to try in the future.
3. Women Want To Try This The Most
Of all the sex positions in the world, the one position that women want to try the most is tabletop sex. In fact, for both genders across the U.S., U.K., and Europe, at 19.9 percent, tabletop sex is the most desirable... which is strange, because it's also listed as the least favorite sex position for women. I guess once women try it, they're over it?
The spooning position, however, got very little love, coming in at the very bottom of the list at number 10.
4. Women Agreed With Men On Only Four Of The 10 Positions
When it came to the order of sex positions that both genders wanted to try, men and women both put reverse cowgirl at number five, doggy style at number seven, 69 at number eight, and spooning at number 10.
5. Almost Half Of Women Learn About New Positions From A Partner
According to the findings, 42.2 percent of women are picking up new sex positions from partners. As for other places where women learn about new sex positions, 30 percent cited online (but not porn), 19 percent turned to porn to get inspired, and 8.8 percent found new sex positions in movies or on TV.
6. Women Are Shy About Suggesting New Sex Positions
Surprisingly, only 41.7 percent of women are willing to suggest trying something new and exciting. In fact, 58.3 percent of women reported that it was their partner who suggested new positions. It’s important to keep in mind, that when it comes to having a happy and healthy sex life, keeping things spicy is the way to go.
7. Women’s Biggest Concern About A New Sex Position Is...
For 31.9 percent of women, what keeps them away from trying new sex positions is that they might not be flexible enough to pull it off. Not far behind that, the second biggest concern for women, at 23.5 percent, is that they’ll hurt themselves. For women, the least concern that scares them about trying a new position, at only 9.1 percent, is that they’ll hurt their partner.
Takeaway? Keep your mind open and don't be afraid to suggest new things. You never know; maybe doggy style isn't your favorite sex position after all. But that's something you'll only realize when you branch out and try new stuff.
Images: Andrew Zaeh for Bustle; Caroline Wurtzel/Bustle; DrEd
