9 Masturbation Positions That’ll Level Up Your Pleasure Practice

Even if you’ve got a tried-and-true method that works to bring you pleasure, “exploring new ways to bring yourself pleasure is one of the best ways to spend a solo session,” says somatic sex educator Kiana Reeves, chief education officer for Foria. “This can be especially helpful for those who experience anorgasmia or other barriers to climaxing,” says Reeves.

“Exploring new ways to bring yourself pleasure is one of the best ways to spend a solo session.”—Kiana Reeves, somatic sex educator, chief education officer for Foria

To find out more about the best masturbation techniques, we spoke to the experts for the scoop on exactly what the best masturbation positions are, and how to try them out.

Benefits of experimenting with new masturbation positions

As Reeves pointed out above, experimenting outside your comfort zone when it comes to masturbation can be especially key in learning more about your body. Think of experimenting with new masturbation positions as a way to expand your horizons when it comes to your pleasure. No matter what you discover, you’ll learn more about what does (or doesn’t!) work for your body, which is always worth it.

Tips for trying new masturbation positions

One good tip for trying new masturbation positions? Fold the new positions into a self-care practice that also prioritizes your pleasure through self-massage. “Self-massage can be a great entry point for self-pleasure because it helps you connect with your body,” says Reeves. She also suggests you start by laying on your bed or on a comfortable surface and applying your favorite massage oil, using your hands to rub it into your skin.

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“Start with your legs and arms, before moving to your body’s core and massaging your belly, breasts, and shoulders,” Reeves says. Then, “once you’re nice and relaxed and oiled up, switch to your favorite lube and continue the massage down below, working your way around your butt, your inner thighs, and your vulva.”

9 masturbation positions that will shake up your pleasure practice, according to experts

1. The Bent-Over

This position is great if you also enjoy the feeling of doggy-style during partnered sex, Reeves says. “Bend your body so that your stomach rests on the edge of your bed, resting your head on a pillow for extra comfort,” she says. Reeves also adds that you have easy access to both your vulva and anus with hands or a toy, which makes this position great for those curious to explore butt-play.

2. The Belly-Down

If you find direct clitoral stimulation too overwhelming sometimes, this position, which focuses on the clitoral stem (aka the ‘underground’ part of your clitoral nerves), can be a great way to experiment with more friction and pleasure, says Natasha Marie Narkiewicz, head of communications at MysteryVibe.

For this one, “lay down on your stomach and reach between your legs to masturbate, whether with your fingers or using a vibrator,” says Narkiewicz. This position “allows you to leverage the weight of your body as additional friction and pressure against your pubic bone and clitoris, which can produce a deep-seated orgasm that radiates throughout the entire pelvis,” Narkiwicz also adds.

3. The Dance Floor

This one might require some pre-planning and shopping, but it’s worth it. “Use beaded crotch underwear with pleasure pearls that are meant to sit directly on the clitoris and between the labia,” suggests sexologist Joy Berkheimer, PhD, chief sexologist at SXWA. Dr. Berkheimer says you can either use your fingers to sway the pearls around, or use your thighs while dancing to feel the different sensations of the pearls rolling around your most sensitive parts. Besides being super-sexy, experimenting in an open-ended way like this allows you to learn more about your body. For example, Dr. Berkheimer notes that in dancing around, you might find that the left side of your clitoris is more sensitive than the right side. And “all this research is useful for solo and partnered pleasure,” she adds.

4. The Butterfly

“The Butterfly is great for those who want to get a little extra stretching in with their pleasure…and great for incorporating a vibrator or other toys,” says sex therapist Michelle Herzog, LMFT, CST, founder at The Center for Modern Relationships. “Sit on the floor or bed and bring the heels of your feet together, letting your knees fall open. Use one hand to stimulate your clitoris while the other can explore your breasts, other erogenous zones, or to brace yourself against the floor,” Herzog says.

5. The Kneeling Goddess

If you prefer deeper penetration via a vibrator or dildo, Herzog suggests this position. “Kneel on a soft surface with your knees spread apart and sit back on your heels. Lean forward slightly, resting one hand on the ground for support while using the other to stimulate your clitoris,” Herzog says. If you enjoy penetration, an insertable toy here can make this position extra-hot.

6. The Corner

Instead of lying down on your back, try this position, which has you sit up on the corner of your bed."This position accommodates the use of both hands for pleasure, so two toys can be used simultaneously (one for the vagina, and one for the clitoris)," says sexologist Sadie Allison, PhD, co-founder of GoLove CBD lubricant. Or, you can also lean back on one hand to help stabilize you while you use the other to, ahem, explore. Dr. Allison also suggests experimenting "with slowly spreading your legs wider as you play,” so you can experience different sensations as you explore.

7. Solo Cowgirl

For this position, "straddle your body like you would on top of a partner on all fours, but instead you’re on top of your favorite sex toy," says Dr. Allison, adding that “You can straddle a dildo or a vibrator.” For more stability, Dr. Allison suggests using a model with a flared base if you’re using a dildo. In terms of vibes, Dr. Allison says the Le Wand Rechargeable Vibrating Massager ($180) works well because of its powerful vibration and "substantial tennis-ball sized vibrating head." Another Well+Good favorite is the smaller version of the Le Wand Petite ($145) with its less hefty handle.

This position is great because keeping your body and vulva upright (instead of laying on your back) can allow you to feel new pleasure sensations, Dr. Allison says. Bonus: for a more physical challenge, Dr. Allison also says you can shift into a squatting position and feel the burn in your quads.

8. The Doorway

"Stand up against one side of a doorway, then lift and place one foot across to the other side and get into a stable stance," Dr. Allison says. In this position, you have full access not only to your vagina, clitoris, vulva, breasts, and nipples, but your anus as well, she adds. This position is great if you want to get creative and choose a combo of pleasure toys to stimulate multiple erogenous zones at once. Just try not to tip over when your climax makes you weak in the knees.

9. The Waterfall 

Whether you’re bringing in a vibrator or going manual, masturbation in the shower or tub under soothing water flow can be a great way to welcome extra tactical sensation and warmth. This is also a great time to utilize a dildo with a suction cup, as you can attach it to the shower wall at just the right height and back into it for a perfect fit.

If you don't have a bathtub, Dr. Allison says it's certainly okay to sit on the floor of your shower and self-pleasure. But if your bathroom doesn't allow for that, or you're simply into standing positions, there are plenty of other options. You can use a Shower Stool ($52) or the edge of the tub to place one foot on for easier access to your genitals, or invest in a Shower Sex Handle ($12), which affixes to the wall with suction cups for better balance. Another thing you may want to add to your shopping cart: a no-slip shower mat. This way, “you can rest assured you’re being as safe as possible," Dr. Allison says. "These additions can offer you peace of mind with feeling secure, balanced, and safe, so you can relax and fully enjoy your self-loving sessions."