Editing Missionary position (section)

===Position of legs===
{{multiple image
 | align     = right
 | direction = horizontal
 | image1    = Édouard-Henri Avril (13).jpg
 | width1    = 220
 | caption1  = [[Édouard-Henri Avril]], wrapped missionary position. Raising legs allows for deeper penetration.
 | image2    = Paul Avril - Les Sonnetts Luxurieux (1892) de Pietro Aretino, 2.jpg
 | width2    = 220
 | caption2  = [[Édouard-Henri Avril]], open missionary position.
}}
A receiving woman's legs and arms are generally free to move about, though her position and movement may be constrained by the penetrating partner's weight and in some other way. A woman can adjust the position of her legs for comfort, variety and to control the angle and depth of penetration. Generally, the higher a woman's legs, the deeper is the penetration. When the legs are raised in any way, the woman has less control of the rhythm of thrusts. Also, raising the legs raises the woman's pelvis, reduces the angle of penetration, and lowers the level of clitoral stimulation.

A woman's legs can remain flat or raised toward her chest, or wrapped around the penetrating partner at various heights: at the back of the legs, at the buttocks or back or over the shoulders, in a position called the ''Wiener Auster'' or Viennese oyster.<ref>''Lexikon der Erotik'' by Lykke Aresin and Kurt Starke. Droemer-Knaur, 1996. {{ISBN|3-426-77174-8}}, p.597.</ref> In the higher leg positions the woman's legs may need some support, which may be achieved by crossing the ankles behind the partner or resting on his shoulders. She may also hold them with her hands or cross her arms around them at the knees. Some are flexible enough to cross the legs behind their heads. Alternatively, her partner may hold her legs up.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.babymed.com/sex-positions/viennese-oyster-sex-position|title=Viennese Oyster - Sex Position - BabyMed.com|date=18 November 2010|access-date=10 February 2014|archive-date=24 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324162214/https://www.babymed.com/sex-positions/viennese-oyster-sex-position|url-status=live}}</ref>

A pillow or [[sex pillow]] can be used,<ref>{{cite book |last=Hutcherson |first=Hilda |title=What Your Mother Never Told You About Sex |publisher=Perigee Trade |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-399-52853-8 |page=[https://archive.org/details/whatyourmotherne00hild/page/144 144] |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/whatyourmotherne00hild/page/144 }}</ref> to alter the depth and angle of penetration. A wedge- or ramp-shaped pillow can relieve pressure on the top person's hands and arms.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blowfish.com/catalog/toys/cushions.html |title=Blowfish Sex Cushions |access-date=2008-02-02 |archive-date=2021-02-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212005323/http://www.blowfish.com/catalog/toys/cushions.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Placing a pillow under the woman's buttocks can lift her pelvis—a ''[[Playboy]]'' article suggested placing it under her hips to increase pressure on the clitoris.<ref name="MissionaryRevival">{{cite web|author=Jones, Kelly |url=http://www.playboy.com/sex/featuresLL/missionary/missionary.html |title=The Missionary Revival |publisher=Playboy |access-date=2008-02-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026095344/http://www.playboy.com/sex/featuresLL/missionary/missionary.html |archive-date=2007-10-26 }}</ref> Each of these methods can increase the depth of penetration. Using a pillow can also help the woman arch her back.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.have-better-sex.com/Sex-Positions-1 |title=Variations on a Theme - Him on Top Sex Positions |publisher=Better Sex |access-date=2008-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070921092753/http://have-better-sex.com/Sex-Positions-1 |archive-date=2007-09-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In one variant, the woman may lift and slightly bend her legs, resting her feet flat on the bed. This shortens the distance between the [[Human vagina|vagina]] and [[cervix]], and may apply more friction to the area termed the ''[[G-Spot]].''{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} The woman may find this variant more comfortable,<ref name="AddSpice">{{cite web |author=Strovny, David |url=http://www.askmen.com/dating/love_tip/47_love_tip.html |title=Add Spice to the Missionary Position |publisher=AskMen |access-date=2008-02-02 |archive-date=2021-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326120748/https://www.askmen.com/dating/love_tip/47_love_tip.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and it can allow her to push against the man's thrust, giving her some control over the rhythm.<ref>{{cite book |author=Wright, Susan |title=Driving Your Woman Wild in Bed: A Man's Guide to Satisfying Women |isbn=978-0-8065-2430-6|date=November 2002 |publisher=Citadel Press }}</ref>

Placing the woman's legs on or over the man's shoulders provides the deepest possible penetration. This variant is sometimes called ''the anvil''.<ref name="LoversGuide">{{cite web |url=http://www.loversguide.com/man-on-top-sex-positions-enhancing-the-missionary-position.html |title=Man-on-top sex positions: enhancing the missionary position |publisher=The Lovers' Guide |access-date=2008-01-07 |archive-date=2014-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819094919/http://www.loversguide.com/man-on-top-sex-positions-enhancing-the-missionary-position.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> This position aims the head of the penis at the [[vaginal fornix]] (posterior fornix). When the legs are held mid-level in this way, the penis can achieve significant depth while attempting to stimulate the G-Spot and achieving more friction on the top of its shaft.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}}