In recent years, the G-spot has been the subject of more headlines than Taylor Frank Paul or Taylor Swift combined. For good reason: This long-misunderstood, once-controversial erogenous zone can facilitate some freaking pleasurable play. If you’ve still got questions, fear not. We’re breaking down everything you need to know about G-spot stimulation, including expert tips and the best G-spot sex positions to try tonight.
What (and where) is the G-spot?
Short for the Grafenberg spot, the G-spot is that magical area located about two inches inside the vaginal opening on the anterior (front) upper wall, closest to your tummy, explains Gigi Engle, a COSRT-certified sex and relationship psychotherapist, author of Kink Curious. When you’re aroused, this ball of tissue swells and can become highly sensitive when stimulated. Whether via body part or toy, when stimulated through penetrative play, it can create a tingling effect and/or a feeling of fullness that some pleasure-seekers enjoy, she says.
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It’s important to note that the G-spot is less of a button and more like “the whole zone of the top of the vaginal wall,” says Tara Suwinyattichaiporn (aka Dr. Tara), PhD, a sex and relationship coach, sex expert on TikTok, and professor of relational and sexual communication at California State University Fullerton. It’s best understood as part of a larger internal pleasure network that includes the internal structures of the surrounding erectile tissue, the urethral sponge, and the Skene’s Glands, Engle tells SheKnows.
How to stimulate your G-spot during sex
The G-spot is relatively shallow (aka not deep in the vagina), and generally responds best to consistent pressure, per Engle. So, the secret sauce for stimulating the G-spot—and maybe even facilitating a full-blown G-spot orgasm—is to marry shallow penetration with pressure.
Sex toys with a curved shape and bulbous tip do well to stimulate this erogenous zone, as their unique shape makes it easy to maintain contact with the front vaginal wall, says licensed clinical social worker and AASECT-certified sex therapist Shamyra Howard, PhD, CST, LCSW. Vibrating G-spot toys will transmit vibrations deep into this erogenous zone and deeper clitoral network, she says. Meanwhile, options made from heavier materials like stainless steel or glass can also increase that pressure, since they naturally exert more weight than lighter silicone toys.
While the G-spot often responds well to firmer stimulation, “for the best experience, this area should be approached slowly, gently, and gradually increasing in intensity,” sex coach Jenna Switzer tells SheKnows. It isn’t until you’re already aroused that the G-spot fills with blood, which makes it both easier to find and more sensitive, she explains. Going from zero to pressure can feel uncomfortable at best and painful at worst.
That said, even with proper warm-up you may not go goo-goo ga-ga over having your G-spot stimulated. “This area has a ‘hit or miss’ vibe to it,” says Switzer. While some people “may experience an increase in lubrication, intense orgasms, and/or ejaculation (aka squirting),” others find stimulating this area uncomfortable or unpleasant. Others still don’t feel much different at all. “Some people experience it as erogenous and some do not — just like some of us enjoy having our feet rubbed and others find foot rubs annoying,” Jess O’Reilly (aka Dr. Jess), PhD, Astroglide’s resident sexologist, tells SheKnows.
The Best G-Spot Sex Positions
Ready to explore your G-spot? These expert-approved sex positions are designed to give you the best angle, depth, and control for maximum pleasure—whether you’re hoping to squirt, intensify your orgasms, or just mix things up.
Not every position will work for everyone, but they’re a great place to start for beginners looking to explore this sensitive area or seasoned veterans ready to shake things up. And of course, as with all sex and sexual positions, be sure to give your partner plenty of feedback and modify the positions as needed.
A version of this story was published in October 2018.
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Lifted Missionary
Image Credit: Sasha Purdy/SheKnows That’s right, this classic can moonlight as a G-spot sex position with one simple tweak. Just like traditional missionary, the receiving partner lies on their back while the penetrating one lies over them. The difference? The bottom partner places a pillow or wedge under their butt, which lifts the hips and changes the angle of the vaginal canal.
Why it’s great: Placing a pillow under the receiving partner’s hips “tilts the pelvis so that the penetrating part is naturally angled toward the front vaginal wall,” explains Engle. The result: Anything that enters the body is much more likely to rub directly against the G-zone, she explains.
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Coital Alignment Technique (CAT)
Image Credit: Sasha Purdy/SheKnows Its name might be a mouthful, but if shallow, sustained stimulation is your thing, you will love this G-spot sex position. Coital Alignment Technique (CAT) requires the same set up as missionary: The receiving partner lies on their back, while the penetrating partner gets on top.
The difference lies in how the top partner moves once inside. “Rather than thrusting in and out, the penetrating partner shifts their body slightly higher so their pelvis rests against the bottom partner’s vulva,” explains Engle. From there, the top partner rocks side to side while keeping their bodies closely connected.
Why it’s great: “This technique keeps pressure directed toward the G-spot area and the internal clitoral structures more broadly,” explains Engle. Unlike fast, jack-rabbit-esque thrusting, this steady contact can feel more pleasurable for people who prefer pressure over intensity or depth.
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Rider on Top
Image Credit: Ashley Britton/SheKnows. Save a horse, ride a cowboy with G-spot position, which puts the person with the G-spot on top. Start with the penetrating partner leaning at a 45-degree angle against a wall, couch back or headboard. Next, the other partner saddles up, straddles them, and lowers down.
Why it’s great: “Sitting on top of a partner may be the best way to stimulate your G-Spot, as you can control the angle of penetration,” Dr. Jess says. This cowgirl-like position allows the receiving partner to control the depth and angle of penetration and move their body as they please, essentially using the penis as a sex toy.
Dr. Jess recommends experimenting with torso position. The unique shape and curvature of the penis or dildo will impact what feels best, but many people find leaning back increases the pressure along the G-zone. Though, Switzer notes that leaning forward has “the added bonus of clitoral stimulation.”
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Modified Rider
Image Credit: Ashley Britton/SheKnows. In this tweaked version of the classic Cowgirl, the penetrating partner lies flat. The receiver partner then lies flat on top of them, rather than sitting up and riding them.
Why it’s great: Like most penetrate-ee-on-top positions, a modified rider gives the person with the G-spot full control over the angle of penetration. The receiving partner is easily able to shift around and find the exact combination of grinding and sliding to hit their G-spot—ultimately making it easier to find pleasure and even have a G-spot O.
All the skin-on-skin of this position also amps up the intimacy, allowing the receiving partner to make eye contact and feel their partner’s entire body against them.
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Reverse Rider
Image Credit: Sasha Purdy/SheKnows If you like showing off your back side or simply want to switch things up, give reverse rider (aka reverse cowgirl) a whirl. In this receiver-on-top position, the penetrating partner lies on their back while the receiving partner straddles them facing away.
To maximize contact with the G-spot, “have the receiving partner lean slightly forward instead of sitting upright,” suggests Howard. “That tilt changes the penetration angle so it presses toward the front vaginal wall where the G-spot is.”
Why it’s great: Not only does reverse rider facilitate a view, but when the top partner leans forward it can also lead to some serious G-spot stimulation. On top of that, it gives the top partner the ability to control exactly how much pressure gets delivered to the erroneous by simply alerting the position, says Howard. “When the receiving partner controls depth and angle, it’s much easier to target that sensitive zone, as well as guide the pressure exactly where it feels best.”
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Sexy Spooning
Image Credit: Ashley Britton/SheKnows. For this cozy position, the receiving partner lies on their side, with the penetrating partner behind them serving as the big spoon. The receiving partner brings their knees up slightly so the penetrating partner can enter them from behind.
Why it’s great: This position allows for deep, hands-free penetration and the perfect angle to hit the front wall of the vagina where the G-spot is. It’s a great option for lazy mornings or sleepy nights when neither partner wants to get too athletic. Bonus: It also allows for easy clitoral access, so use hands or bring a vibrator into the mix.
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Rocking Horse
Image Credit: Ashley Britton/SheKnows. The rocking horse position is when the penetrating partner sits cross-legged and leans back, either on a wall or supporting themselves with their hands. The receiving partner kneels over their lap and starts hugging them with their thighs as they lower themselves down.
Why it’s great: “This position has excellent clitoral access, and it’s great for G-spot stimulation,” psychotherapist and therapeutic relationship coach Rachel Wright tells SheKnows. “This gives control to both of you, but with different aspects.” The receiving partner can control “speed and penetration,” she says, while the peneetrating partner gets to “touch and tease your partner while they try to control other things.”
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Doggy-Style
Image Credit: Ashley Britton/SheKnows. For this classic position, the receiving partner is on their hands and knees with their spread legs apart, so the penetrating partner can penter from behind. The higher you tilt your butt, the more directly your partner will hit the magical front vaginal wall.
Why it’s great: “This position allows for deep penetration, plus the penis pushes directly against the G-spot,” Laurel House, resident sex expert for My First Blush, tells SheKnows. The penetrating partner can also wrap their arms around receiving partner, giving them “direct finger access to the clitoris.”
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Criss Cross
Image Credit: Ashley Britton/SheKnows. This sex position works best on a bed, but if you’re feeling more adventurous, try a dining room table. Either way, the receiving partner should be roughly hip height for the penetrating partner. The receiving partner drapes their legs over the edge with their partner standing (or sitting) in front of them. Then, the receiving partner lifts their legs into the air, criss-crosses them into an X, and rests their ankles on their partner’s shoulders.
Why it’s great: If you like a position in which the penetrating partner is in control, you’ll love this. Hold onto the end of the bed or table and have your partner hold onto your legs for the deepest thrusting. To turn up the G-spot stimulation even more, Switzer and Dr. Jess recommend sliding a pillow under the receiving partner’s hips “to increase the likelihood of G-Spot stimulation,” Dr. Jess says — and for added comfort.
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