The Waterfall Sex Position: How to Do It Safely

The waterfall sex position is a woman-on-top style position with a twist: the partner underneath lies on the bed with their head and shoulders hanging off the edge, so their upper body tilts down toward the floor. The partner on top straddles them as in cowgirl. The name comes from the way the bottom partner's upper body cascades over the side of the bed.

It is famous for one thing: the blood rushing toward the head of the partner underneath, which many people say makes orgasm feel noticeably more intense. It is best as a finish, not a whole session.

How to Do the Waterfall Position

1. Put a pillow or folded blanket on the floor next to the bed, where the head of the partner underneath will rest.
2. The partner underneath lies on their back on the bed, then slides toward the edge until their shoulders and head are off the mattress, resting on the pillow on the floor. Their hips and legs stay on the bed.
3. The other partner straddles their hips, facing them, kneeling on the bed as in cowgirl.
4. The partner on top sets the pace with slow rocking or grinding. The partner underneath mostly lies back and holds on to their partner's thighs or the bed.
5. Switch into it near the end. Most couples start in regular cowgirl and slide into the waterfall when they are close.

Why Couples Try It

• Head rush. With the head lower than the heart, blood flow toward the head increases, and many people describe the orgasm as stronger or more full-body.
• Total control for the partner on top. They set every part of the pace and depth, which is great for partners who enjoy leading.
• Novelty. It feels and looks nothing like your usual nights, which is half the appeal.

Safety: Keep It Short

• A minute or two is enough. Hanging upside down for long makes most people dizzy and uncomfortable.
• Stop at any dizziness, headache or neck strain, and sit up slowly afterwards.
• Support the head and neck. The head should rest on a pillow on the floor, never dangle in the air.
• Skip it if the partner underneath has high or low blood pressure, glaucoma, heart problems, neck or back injuries, or is pregnant.
• Make sure the bed is stable and low enough that the floor is within easy reach.

Easier Variations

• Half waterfall: only the head and the tops of the shoulders go over the edge. Much of the effect with far less strain.
• Pillow incline: stay fully on the bed with pillows under the hips instead, so the head is lower than the pelvis but supported.
• Reverse waterfall: the partner on top faces their partner's feet. A different angle, same rule about keeping it short.

Similar Positions

If the waterfall is too much, regular cowgirl gives the same control to the partner on top, and the butterfly position uses the edge of the bed for a much gentler change of angle. Our guide to 20 sex positions for couples lists the rest by effort level.

The waterfall is the kind of idea that is easy to read about and awkward to suggest. Couplet, our sex position app for couples, takes care of that part: you both swipe privately, and only the positions and ideas you both said yes to are revealed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the waterfall sex position?

The waterfall is a partner-on-top position where the partner underneath lies on the bed with their head and shoulders hanging off the edge onto a pillow on the floor, while the other partner straddles them. The tilt sends blood toward the head, which many people say makes orgasm more intense.

Is the waterfall position safe?

For most healthy adults, yes, if you keep it to a minute or two, support the head on a pillow and stop at any dizziness. Skip it with blood pressure problems, glaucoma, heart conditions, neck or back injuries, or during pregnancy.

Why does the waterfall make orgasm stronger?

With the head lower than the heart, blood flow toward the head increases. Many people describe the resulting head rush as making orgasm feel stronger, though how much it does varies from person to person.

How long should you stay in the waterfall position?

Only briefly. Most couples move into it near the end, from regular cowgirl, rather than starting in it.