A tilted uterus (also called retroverted) occurs in about 20% of women. It’s not dangerous and doesn’t affect fertility, but it can cause pain during sex.
It’s typically because the head of the partner’s penis bumps into the cervix during penetration, especially rear entry. Fortunately, you can find relief with the right sexual position.
Reverse Cowgirl
This sex position gets a bad rap for being too vanilla, but it’s actually a great option for those with a tilted uterus. According to sexologist and relationship coach Sarah Melancon, this position is ideal for those with a tipped uterus because it helps the person on top control the depth of penetration and rhythm of grinding. In addition, it allows for clitoral stimulation by allowing the partner on top to reach in with their fingers and with sex toys like a wand vibrator.
To do this position, the penetrating partner lies down while the receiving partner straddles them, kneeling and facing away from them. The partner on top can then bounce up and down or grind, with the lying down partner absorbing the pleasure and gyrating as needed. This sex position doesn’t require much flexibility, and the partner on top can also use a strap-on or sex toy for anal stimulation if desired.
While this position does put some strain on the knees and other joints, it’s a great option for those who want to explore more anal sex. However, it’s important to ease into this position slowly to prevent injury and make sure everyone is comfortable, especially if penetration is involved. You should also make sure to use plenty of lube to maximize your comfort and enhance the experience.
Magic Mountain
The Magic Mountain variation of Doggy Style is one of the most comfortable positions for women with a tilted uterus. Keeping your head and shoulders down while elevating your hips gives you control over the depth of penetration and allows the partner on top to reach your clit without accidentally pushing into your uterus, potentially causing unintended pain. This position also helps to elongate the vagina, making it easier for your partner to insert their penis or dildo and providing more sensational pleasure to you down there.
Another way to ease into deeper penetration is spooning. This underrated sex position is super comfortable and can increase intimacy and sensual pleasure by allowing you and your partner to caress and stroke each other in different ways. The addition of a vibrator can even take things up a notch.
Having a tilted uterus doesn’t have to stop you from having an amazing sexual life, regardless of the type of penetration that feels best for you. It’s important to talk with your partner and try new sex positions as needed so that you can find what feels best for your body. Just remember that it’s not unusual to experience some discomfort when trying new sex positions, and everyone has their own limits. Remember to communicate with your partner and take things slowly if you do feel pain.
Woman-on-Top
Most women’s uterus lies horizontally over their bladder, but about 20% of vulva owners have a uterus that tilts back toward the rectum. This is known as a tipped uterus or retroverted uterus, and while it usually doesn’t affect fertility, it can make certain sexual positions painful for the woman because the head of the penis is pressed against the cervix.
According to Cosmopolitan, there are a few sex positions for a tilted uterus that will help avoid pain during penetration. One is the woman-on-top position, which works best if it’s modified by lying on your side with your torso rested on his legs to elevate your butt. Another option is spooning, which is a variation of the Missionary position that allows for more shallow penetration.
A tilted uterus can also be fixed by engaging in foreplay before penetration to arouse the partner. This will also help the cervix to elongate and become more responsive, making it less likely to be irritated by the tip of the penis during penetration. Some healthcare professionals even try manually repositioning a uterus that has re-tipping, but it’s not a permanent solution and can lead to complications. Ultimately, whatever sex position feels best is what’s most important for couples trying to conceive. Just be sure to communicate about what feels good and bad during sex, so you can experiment to find what’s right for your unique situation.
Modified Rear Entry
Women with a tilted uterus often avoid rear-entry intercourse positions, because it can cause pain in their cervix. But that doesn’t mean it has to be off-limits, as there are plenty of ways to enjoy the experience with a man who can handle it.
One good option is the spooning position, which can be modified to accommodate a tilted uterus, explains Fulbright. Basically, lie on your back with your partner stretched out full-length behind you. Place one of your legs between theirs to shorten the penetration depth. Another way to customize penetration is to use a wearable like the Ohnut, which are soft donut-like rings that can be added to a shaft to elongate it and shift the point of contact to an area that might feel softer on the cervix than a straight end.
The missionary position is also a great option for people with a tilted uterus, says Sarah Melancon, sociologist, certified sexology instructor and relationship expert for Sex Toy Collective. She says it might get a bad rap for being too simplistic or “vanilla,” but it’s highly customizable and could help prevent painful thrusting movements that irritate the cervix.
It’s worth mentioning that having a tipped uterus doesn’t affect fertility. However, it can make it more difficult for doctors to locate the fetus during ultrasounds. If you have a tilted uterus, talk to your doctor about what positions may or may not feel comfortable for you.
