We’ve all been there. The mood is perfect, the chemistry is electric, and you want the experience to stretch out and last as long as possible.
But sometimes, despite your best intentions, things move faster than you planned. It’s a completely normal and common experience.
It doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you, your partner, or your connection.
The truth is, some sex positions naturally increase arousal and push you over the edge faster.
When you are in a position that creates intense friction, deep penetration, or requires a lot of physical exertion, your body’s natural response is to speed up. It’s not entirely your fault; it’s simply biology.
In this blog post, we take a look at the sex positions that feel amazing but end the party too quickly.
7 SEX POSITIONS TO AVOID IF YOU WANT TO LAST LONG IN BED
Lasting long in bed isn’t just about technique, stamina, or how “experienced” you think you are.
Half the battle is knowing which sex positions turn the intensity level all the way up before your body is even ready.
Because some positions are basically the express lane to finishing fast, no matter how much control you think you have.
If you’ve ever wondered why you last longer in some moments and struggle in others, it’s not just you. The angle, the rhythm, the depth, and even the visuals matter more than people admit.
And if you’re trying to keep the moment going, not wrap it up in 60 seconds, there are certain positions you might want to skip until the end of the session, not the beginning.
Here are the main sex positions to avoid if you want to last long in bed:
1. Doggy Style
Let’s start with a classic. Doggy style is popular for a reason. It offers a powerful sense of connection and allows for very deep penetration. The visual aspect is also highly stimulating for many people.
Ironically, the very things that make doggy style so exciting, like depth and friction, are the same things that can make it challenging for stamina.
In this position, the angle often allows for the deepest possible penetration, stimulating the most sensitive areas at the base and head of the penis. This creates a very intense sensation that can build arousal rapidly.
Additionally, because the person behind is often in control of the thrusting and pace, it’s easy to fall into a rhythm of powerful, deep thrusts that are hard to slow down once they start.
The combination of intense physical sensation and visual stimulation can push you over the edge before you know it.
If you want to enjoy doggy style but last longer, try these modifications:
• Change the angle: Instead of being on all fours, have your partner lower their chest to the bed while keeping their hips elevated. This slightly changes the angle of entry and can reduce the intensity of the stimulation.
• Slow down the pace: Focus on slow, deliberate movements rather than fast, deep thrusts. Use your hands to caress your partner’s back, hips, or inner thighs to shift the focus away from just the genital sensation.
• Use a pillow: Placing a pillow under your partner’s hips can raise them, changing the angle of penetration and potentially making it feel less intense.
2. Traditional missionary
Missionary is often seen as a “vanilla” or “starter” position, but don’t underestimate its intensity. It’s incredibly intimate, allowing for full body contact, eye contact, and easy kissing.
The challenge with traditional missionary arises when it’s combined with vigorous, deep thrusting. In this position, the top partner is doing most of the physical work, supporting their weight and driving the movement.
This physical exertion increases heart rate and blood flow, which naturally accelerates arousal.
Furthermore, the angle of entry in missionary, especially when the receiving partner’s legs are down or slightly bent, can create a lot of friction along the entire length of the penis.
When you combine this friction with the physical effort of thrusting, it can lead to a very rapid buildup of sensation.
You don’t have to abandon missionary to last longer though. Try these tweaks:
• Shift the focus: Instead of focusing on powerful thrusts, focus on the intimacy. Slow down. Kiss deeply. Use your hands to explore your partner’s body. The more you can distract yourself from the direct genital sensation, the longer you can last.
• Change the angle: Try sliding a pillow under your partner’s hips. This can change the angle of penetration and make it feel less intense.
• Incorporate other stimulation: Use a vibrator on your partner’s clitoris or nipples during missionary. This not only enhances their pleasure but also gives you something else to focus on, helping you to slow down and pace yourself.
3. Standing Positions
Standing positions can be spontaneous, exciting, and a bit adventurous. They can happen almost anywhere—against a wall, in the shower, or in the middle of the room.
The primary issue with standing positions when it comes to stamina is the immense physical effort required.
Unless there’s a significant height difference or a supportive surface, the partner who is thrusting often has to support their own weight and potentially some of their partner’s weight. This engages core muscles, leg muscles, and arm muscles.
This high level of physical exertion is a major driver of arousal. Your heart is pumping, your blood is flowing, and your body is in a state of high alert.
It’s very difficult to maintain a slow, controlled pace when your body is working that hard. The combination of physical strain and the excitement of the position often leads to a quick climax.
If you love the idea of standing but want to last longer, you need to reduce the physical effort:
• Use a prop: Lean against a wall or have your partner sit on the edge of a sturdy table or counter. This takes the weight-bearing element out of the equation and allows you to focus on the connection and pace rather than just staying upright.
• Try adjusting the position: Have one partner stand by the side of the bed while the other lies close to the edge. This offers a similar angle and feeling to a standing position, but is much more relaxed and sustainable.
4. Cowgirl (Woman on Top)
Cowgirl is a fantastic position for many reasons. It gives the partner on top complete control over the pace, depth, and angle of penetration.
It’s also highly stimulating for the clitoris, making it a favorite for many women.
While the partner on the bottom gets to relax physically, which can sometimes help with stamina, there are other factors at play.
First, the visual stimulation of having your partner on top, moving and enjoying themselves, can be incredibly arousing.
Second, the partner on top controls the movement. If they find a rhythm or angle that feels amazing for them, they may naturally speed up or increase the depth of penetration.
This can take the partner on the bottom from “in control” to “overwhelmed” very quickly.
Communication is key here. Since you are not in physical control of the pace, you need to use your voice and your hands:
• Communicate: Ask her to rock slowly instead of bounce fast. A simple “can we slow down just a little?” can be incredibly effective. Most partners will be happy to adjust the pace to prolong the pleasure for both of you.
• Use your hands: Place your hands on your partner’s hips or waist. You can gently guide their movements, slowing them down or changing the angle slightly.
• Incorporate clitoral stimulation: Use your fingers to stimulate your partner’s clitoris while they are on top. This can shift their focus and rhythm, often causing them to slow down and grind more, which can be less intense for you than deep thrusting.
5. “Legs Up” Missionary
This is a variation of missionary where the receiving partner’s legs are raised high, often resting on the thrusting partner’s shoulders or chest.
Raising the legs in this manner significantly changes the angle of the pelvis and opens up the vaginal canal, allowing for much deeper penetration.
Similar to doggy style, this deep penetration can stimulate highly sensitive areas that are not always reached in other positions.
Furthermore, this position often creates a tighter fit and more friction. The combination of deep penetration, increased friction, and the physical effort of thrusting can easily lead to a rapid buildup of arousal and a quicker finish.
To make this position more stamina-friendly, you need to moderate the depth and intensity:
• Don’t go full depth: Just because the position allows for deep penetration doesn’t mean you have to use it all the time. Try shallower thrusts, focusing on the entrance and the first few inches.
• Lower the legs: Instead of having the legs all the way up on your shoulders, have your partner rest their calves on your upper arms or wrap them around your waist. This changes the angle and reduces the depth of penetration.
• Slow it down: Focus on slow, sensual movements. Take your time. Use this position for intimate connection and deep kissing rather than powerful thrusting.
6. Spooning Position
Spooning is a great position for intimacy and comfort. It’s low-effort, allows for lots of cuddling and body contact, and can be a lovely way to connect.
You might be surprised to see spooning on this list. It’s often recommended as a good position for lasting longer because it’s relaxing and limits the depth of penetration.
However, for some people, it can have the opposite effect. The primary reason is that spooning can create a very snug fit, leading to a lot of friction on the most sensitive parts of the penis, particularly the head.
The angle can also lead to direct stimulation of the prostate for some, which can be highly arousing.
Additionally, because it’s so relaxed, it’s easy to drift into a very rhythmic, consistent motion that can quickly build toward climax without you even realizing it.
The lack of physical distraction can sometimes make the genital sensation even more intense. If you find spooning too intense, try these adjustments:
• Change the angle: Have the receiving partner straighten their top leg slightly or shift their hips. This can change the angle of entry and reduce the friction.
• Focus on other sensations: Use your free hand to caress your partner’s body, breasts, or clitoris. Focus on the feeling of their skin against yours, their breathing, and the emotional connection.
• Use more lube: Since friction is often the culprit here, a good quality lubricant can be a game-changer. It reduces sensation just enough to help you last longer while still feeling amazing.
Spooning seems soft and slow, but it can actually make men finish quickly, especially if the woman’s thighs are tight around him.
7. Any Position Where She’s Extremely Tight Or Angled Downward
Certain angles or positions can naturally make the vaginal canal feel tighter or create a downward slope that increases friction on the top of the penis.
Tightness and increased friction are two of the biggest factors that accelerate arousal. When the fit is very snug, every movement creates intense sensation.
This can be incredibly pleasurable, but it also means you reach the point of no return much faster.
Positions that angle the hips downward can also increase pressure on the most sensitive nerve endings, leading to a quicker climax.
The key here is to recognize the sensation and adjust before it’s too late. Here’s how to last long with this position:
• Use lots of lube: This is your best friend in any situation involving tightness or friction. It makes everything smoother and can help reduce the intensity of the sensation.
• Change positions: If you feel yourself getting close to the edge, don’t be afraid to switch to a position that offers less friction or depth, like a modified missionary or a side-lying position.
• Take a break: Stop thrusting for a moment. Kiss, cuddle, or focus on manual or oral stimulation for your partner. This gives your body a chance to cool down before you resume.
Conclusion
Some sex positions make climax happen way faster because they increase stimulation, speed, pressure, or visual intensity.
Understanding how different positions affect your body is essential to building a mutually satisfying sex life.
It gives you a roadmap to navigate your own pleasure and stamina. Instead of avoiding these positions entirely, think of them as different gears in a car.
Some are for cruising, and some are for acceleration. Knowing which is which puts you in the driver’s seat.
Most importantly, communicate with your partner. Talk about what feels good, what feels too intense, and what you want to try in bed.
A partner who cares about your pleasure will be more than happy to explore with you, slow things down, or switch things up.
Building that trust and openness is the ultimate aphrodisiac and the best way to ensure a deeply satisfying sexual connection that lasts.
Remember, there is no single “right” way to have sex, and there is no “perfect” amount of time it should last.
The goal should be mutual pleasure, connection, and feeling good about the experience you share.
Recommended reading:
7 Foods That Make Men Release Quickly During Sex