Glossary
Woman on top
The position where she has the pace and the depth in hand, and the myth that clings to it.
What is the woman-on-top position?
The woman-on-top position (also the cowgirl position) is a sex position in which the woman sits on top of her partner, usually astride, during penetration. That way she sets the pace, the depth and the rhythm. Facing her partner is the ordinary variant; facing away is called reverse cowgirl.
| Also called | cowgirl position |
| What it is | a position in which the woman sits on top of her partner during penetration |
| Category | one of the sexual acts |
| Who sets the pace | the woman on top, who has depth and rhythm in hand |
| Variants | facing the partner, or facing away (reverse cowgirl) |
| Origin of the name | the image of “riding”, like a rider or cowgirl on horseback |
How the woman-on-top position works
The name says it all. The encyclopedia describes it as “any sex position in which the woman is on top of her sexual partner during sexual activity”, and notes the cowgirl name, borrowed from the image of a woman who “rides” like a cowgirl on horseback. Because she’s on top, she can “glide up and down”, which lets her control the pace, the rhythm and the depth of penetration herself. If she turns around so she’s facing away from her partner, that’s called the reverse cowgirl. For the penis the angle changes with it too.
Why people enjoy it
The appeal is mostly in the control. Because the woman is on top, she decides herself which angle and which pace work, which can make it easier for her to find what feels good. The partner underneath has their hands free and a full view. What it isn’t: the most dangerous position. That myth is stubborn, but a systematic review and meta-analysis by Syarif and colleagues from 2024 actually found no significant link between the woman-on-top position and a penile fracture, while the male-dominant positions did turn out to be riskier. There is a flip side: being on top takes some leg work, and it puts the woman visibly on display, which not everyone finds comfortable.
Where this fits on my site
Which position feels good differs from person to person and from moment to moment, and with me there’s all the room for that. No performance, no script, but the time to discover what works for you. How a meeting unfolds calmly is on the page about intimate togetherness. You can always ask first, and that commits you to nothing.
Sources
- Woman on top. Wikipedia. Provides the definition of the woman-on-top position as any position in which the woman sits on top of her partner, the cowgirl and reverse-cowgirl names, and that the woman on top controls the pace, the rhythm and the depth of penetration.
- What is the most dangerous sexual position that caused the penile fracture? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Syarif Syarif, Abdul Azis, Ahmad Shafwan Natsir & Muhammad Zulharyahya Dandy Asmara Putra, International Brazilian Journal of Urology 50(1), 28-36, 2024. Provides that the woman-on-top position showed no significant link with a penile fracture, while the male-dominant positions were significantly riskier for it.
Related terms
The woman-on-top position is one of the sexual acts: the woman on top, at the wheel herself.
- Sexual acts. The overarching list this position falls under.
- Penis. Where the angle and the depth change in this position.
- G-spot. The point some women reach more easily in this position by steering the angle themselves.
- Libido. The drive that decides whether experimenting with positions appeals right now or not.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about this term
What is the cowgirl position?
The cowgirl position, also called woman on top, is a sex position in which the woman sits on top of her partner, usually astride, during penetration. That way she sets the pace, the rhythm and the depth. If she faces away from her partner, it’s called reverse cowgirl.
Is the cowgirl position the most dangerous position?
No, that’s a stubborn myth. A systematic review and meta-analysis by Syarif and colleagues from 2024 found no significant link between the cowgirl position and a penile fracture, while the male-dominant positions such as doggystyle and man on top turned out to be riskier.
Who can you ask about the cowgirl position?
Victor, a gigolo with twenty-five years of experience and a background as a psychotherapist. Which position feels good differs from person to person, and with Victor there’s room to discover what works without performance pressure. Ask your question through the contact form or first chat for free.
Learn more
Still have questions about the cowgirl position?
I'm Victor, a gigolo with a background as a psychotherapist. Which position feels good differs from person to person and from moment to moment, and with me there's all the room for that: no performance, no script. Curious how that goes? Feel free to reach out, I'll take my time for your question.