A new study has revealed the sex positions women enjoy most, with the findings challenging many of the assumptions people carry into the bedroom thanks to years of exposure to unrealistic portrayals of sex in mainstream media and pornography.
The research, carried out by Seduced AI in January 2026, gathered responses from 2,590 women across the UK and the United States. Rather than confirming the kind of acrobatic, performance-driven experiences that dominate adult content, the results pointed to something far more grounded. Women, it turns out, overwhelmingly value emotional intimacy, communication, and comfort over novelty or spectacle.
A spokesperson for the company behind the study was direct about what prompted the research. They pointed to the growing gap between what people see online and what actually feels good in real life, noting that many people put enormous pressure on themselves and their partners trying to recreate what they have seen in pornography. According to the spokesperson, that pressure frequently gets in the way of genuine enjoyment. The message from the data was clear — when both people feel comfortable enough to communicate and adjust what is not working, sex and relationships both improve significantly.
So what did women actually say they wanted?
Missionary came out on top, with 10 percent of respondents naming it as their preferred position. Far from being dismissed as boring or unadventurous, participants highlighted the face-to-face nature of the position as a genuine strength. The ability to maintain eye contact and feel physically close to a partner was repeatedly cited as something that added meaningfully to the experience. Many also noted that simple adjustments, such as placing a pillow beneath the hips, could make a significant difference to both comfort and pleasure.
Doggy style ranked second, chosen by 9 percent of women. Despite involving less eye contact than missionary, respondents described it as highly satisfying, with the physical sensations more than compensating for the reduced face-to-face connection. It proved particularly popular among those who said they prioritised physical pleasure over emotional closeness in certain contexts.
Third place went to receiving oral sex, selected by 7.2 percent of participants. This ranked above several penetrative positions, which in itself says something about what women actually want versus what popular culture tends to focus on. Respondents said they valued being able to fully concentrate on their own pleasure without feeling any obligation to reciprocate simultaneously, describing it as a genuinely relaxing experience.
The broader conclusion drawn from the data was straightforward. Most women are not chasing elaborate or physically demanding experiences. They want to feel comfortable, they want to feel connected to their partner, and they want to be able to talk openly about what is and is not working without it becoming a source of tension or awkwardness.
The spokesperson summed it up simply: there is a big difference between performing for an imaginary audience and actually enjoying what is happening in the present moment.
