Sleep may be the first thing that comes to mind when we think of our mattress. However, our relationship with the mattress runs deeper and reaches many levels beyond that. How many lovely moments do we spend on it? Moments with the people we love. Moments that bring us closer. Unique moments that we remember forever.
The mattress is moments…
Among the most special extensions of our relationship with the mattress, sex is at the top. To enjoy it, we need a comfortable environment, ideal for hosting our favourite positions with our partner, turning this unique moment into an unforgettable experience.
How does each sex position affect the choice of a mattress?
Different sex positions activate different muscle groups and mechanical movements of the body in the man's and the woman's bodies, which can in turn be affected by the surface they take place on. That is why the sleep experts at ORION Strom chose twelve popular sex positions in order to present their anatomical particularities in relation to the requirements a mattress must meet to take part in the act, rather than get in its way.
Missionary - Support for both
The woman lies on her back with the man on top. Because of the placement, the lumbar region of the spine is burdened for both.
Mattress suggestion: A medium firmness mattress to align the spine, while also relieving the pressure points in the lower back and the hips.
On all fours - With the right conditions
The woman kneels and rests on her hands, while the man is behind her. However, prolonged kneeling and resting on the hands can put significant pressure on the woman's knees and shoulders, causing discomfort in the joints. Especially on a very soft mattress with excessive sinking…
Mattress suggestion: A medium-firm to slightly firm mattress with some padding is preferable, as it can support the joints without excessive sinking.
Cowgirl & Reverse Cowgirl
The woman on top, the man underneath. For both of them, this position requires a stable surface that supports their weight without excessive resistance, which could cause strain on the hips, knees or lower back.
Mattress suggestion: A mattress with a direct response, such as mattresses with a hybrid design that combine springs with memory foam, allowing better movement without excessive sinking.
“Spooning”
A comfortable position for the couple, since the two bodies do not move up and down, but parallel to the mattress. Even so, it can cause problems with spinal alignment if the mattress does not provide the right support!
Mattress suggestion: A soft or medium-soft mattress that adapts to the curves of the body is ideal. Memory foam or latex, which take the shape of the body and help maintain correct spinal alignment.
Standing on the mattress
A demanding position that, without the right mattress and bed, causes strain on the lower back or the hamstrings.
Mattress and bed base suggestions: A stable, adjustable bed frame allows better height adjustment, ensuring comfort and ease of movement. At the same time, the bed base should be sturdy and stable to provide stability.
Sitting position
In all sitting positions, where the woman sits on the edge of the bed and the man penetrates, significant stability of the pelvis and of his torso is required. Inadequate support from the mattress can lead to poor pelvic alignment, causing discomfort or even muscle strain after prolonged activity.
Mattress suggestion: A firmer mattress is suitable for any variation of the sitting positions, as it offers the necessary support to the pelvis of both partners.
“Butterfly”
The woman lies on her back with her legs raised and apart, while the man stands or kneels at the edge of the bed. The position requires flexibility in the hips and stability of the pelvis. Raising the pelvis can lead to hyperextension of the lumbar region if there is no suitable support.
Mattress suggestion: A firmer mattress is essential for this position, as it provides a stable base for the woman. Ideally with a pillow placed under the hips!
The “Lotus” position
A sitting position with the legs crossed. The woman sits on the man's legs. Significant flexibility is required in the hips, knees and waist. Both must use the muscles of the torso to keep their balance, especially the man, who lifts the weight of both.
Mattress suggestion: A firm mattress or a supportive surface is essential for this position, as excessive sinking into a soft mattress can lead to strain on the hips and knees.
The “plough” position
The woman on her back with her legs high above her head, while the man stands or kneels in front of her. Great flexibility is required in the hamstrings and the lower back, and it can cause discomfort if the spine is not adequately supported by the mattress.
Mattress suggestion: A medium-firm to firm mattress is ideal for this position. Adequate support for the spine is vital and… of pleasure!
The “wheelbarrow” position
The man stands holding the woman's legs, while she is face down. This position requires significant core strength and balance from both, while pressure is put on the woman's wrists and shoulders so that she can hold herself up.
Mattress and bed base suggestion: A stable bed with adjustable height can make this position easier, providing the necessary support and better alignment. The mattress should be firmer, to prevent the woman from sinking too far in while face down.
The “bridge” position
Lying on her back with her hips raised in a “bridge” shape, the woman, while the man kneels or stands over her. This position activates the muscles of the lower back, the buttocks and the hamstrings, which makes good support of the lumbar region essential to prevent hyperextension of the spine.
Mattress suggestion: A safe choice with a medium-firm mattress that adapts to the body without sinking too much is best for this position. Add a pillow too for better support.
The “X” position
In the “X” position, the man penetrates with his body perpendicular to the woman, forming an “X” shape. This position puts pressure on the hips and thighs, as the movement depends to a great extent on the rotation and stability of the pelvis.
Mattress suggestion: A memory foam or latex mattress will offer pressure relief and support, and is ideal for this position.
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Every sex position activates different points of pleasure, also changing the requirements for better support from our mattress and bed, elements that affect each person differently depending on weight, and on the intensity of the act. That is why the right choice of mattress, the use of pillows and, of course, the strength of the bed play a decisive role not only in being comfortable… but also in being sure that you can live every sexual experience of yours to the full. Because life is moments worth living the way we like!
Scientific sources for the article
- Mattress Firmness and Sleep Quality: Radwan, A., Fess, P., James, D., & Murphy, J. (2015). "Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment in adults: Systematic review of controlled trials." Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 14(3), 191–199. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcm.2015.07.001)
- The Impact of Sleep on Sexual Health: Kalmbach, D. A., Arnedt, J. T., Pillai, V., & Ciesla, J. A. (2015). "The impact of sleep on sexual health: A comprehensive review." Sleep Medicine Reviews, 26, 21–32. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2015.04.002]
- Biomechanics of Sexual Positions and Low Back Pain: Siddiqi, A., Resnick, J. M., & Alarcon, J. (2014). "Biomechanics of low back pain during coitus: Understanding the mechanics of different positions." Spine, 39(14), E887-E892. (https://doi.org/10.1097/BRS.0000000000000346)
- Side-Sleeping and Pressure Relief: Troynikov, O., Watson, C. G., & Nawaz, N. (2014). "Sleep environments and sleep physiology: A review of the role of mattress quality in sleep comfort, posture, and pressure relief." Ergonomics, 57(5), 729–745. [https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2014.881969]
- The Importance of Spinal Alignment During Sleep: Lee, Y. C., Wu, J. L., Hsieh, C. F., & Tsai, P. F. (2016). "A randomized controlled trial of the effects of different mattress materials on spinal alignment, shoulder, and back discomfort in side sleepers." Applied Ergonomics, 52, 77–83. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2015.07.021]
- Sexual Function and Sleep Deprivation: McCall, W. V., & McCall, W. C. (2012). "Sleep and sexual function." Sleep Medicine, 13(4), 365–366. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2012.01.004]
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