Call us lazy but when it comes to getting freaky between the sheets, we’re a proud nation of missionary lovers who love nothing more than a little face-to-face action. And here’s exactly why.

When the Body+Soul 2024 Sex Census revealed that Australia’s favourite sex position involved the penetrating partner on top, we felt seen because is there anything better than maximum pleasure for minimal effort?

No, according to 28 per cent of the 2000 adults we grilled as part of the sex survey who confessed that missionary is their preferred possie. Especially among women, with 33 per cent of females opting for being on the bottom. It is also the top pick for singles (26 per cent), those dating (21 per cent) and particularly those in relationships (30 per cent).

When we looked at men however, we found that their favourite position is doggy (28 per cent), which is also the case for Gen Z (27 per cent) and Gen X (29 per cent). While leading the charge for missionary are Boomers and the Silent Gen with a whopping 38 per cent, as well as Millennials (25 per cent).

But if you still need convincing on why the penetrating partner should be on top, we’ve put together a list of 10 reasons why missionary is the best sex position.

#1. It’s the lazy option and that’s ok 

“I think there’s a lot of sort of shame around missionary being more vanilla, but just because it's common doesn't mean it should be shameful,” sexologist Claire Diaz tells Body+Soul. “It doesn't mean that it's boring and I think that’s something we don't speak about enough, because missionary is easy, missionary is the lazy option, and that's actually okay. I think a lot of us probably look at that as a bad thing. But if something is really familiar and accessible and easy and comfortable and it's pleasurable, it makes sense that we're doing it.” 

So there’s no reason to feel guilty about lying back again. 

#2. It’s super romantic 

Is there any better position when you want to be all lovely-dovey? We think not. 

“I think it’s the position in sex where the most connection can be had,” the sexpert explains. “You can kiss, you can eye gaze, you're heart to heart, and you can fully hold and fully embrace each other.”

#3. It makes you feel safe

Picture a weighted blanket but in human form.

“Then there's this idea that it's also quite a regulating position to be in where you can have the weight of someone on top of you,” Diaz says. “It's like this co-regulation and sex at the same time, and it can make us feel really safe.”

#4. It sets off the love hormone 

Hello, human bio. 

“Biologically speaking, there's so much skin to skin contact and that's when oxytocin gets released, which is our feel good hormone,” the sexologist explains. “So it makes us feel really good as well as build more connection.”

#5. It’s comforting

There’s something to be said about going for something that’s been tried and tested. 

“There can be a lot of fear around trying out a new position, that may be a bit more outside that vanilla category, with someone new, so missionary is often the go to position because it’s so familiar,” says Diaz.

#6. You don’t have to be totally starkers 

Being in the buff with someone for the first time can be scary. Especially when you think about all those pretzel sex moves they might wanna pull. Which is why easy-peasy missionary is the go to. 

“When we have sex, our body parts can look strange and we can be in awkward positions, and we can feel so much more vulnerable,” the sexologist explains. “And there can be a lot of things, like body shame, that can come up. So missionary is this position that kind of lets you not think about any of those things. You don’t have to be in full frontal view of each other’s bodies. You can just be more connected.”

#7. It’s the best for anatomies 

While science remains divided over whether this is or isn’t the best position for penis owners and vulva owners when they’re together, Diaz thinks so. 

“Missionary does anatomically work for a lot of people because not only is there penetration, which can hit a lot of orgasmic spots internally for vulva owners, but also the bodies are in close contact so, for many people, it’s the perfect clitoral stimulation as well.”

#8. You can adjust the depth 

A sex position that can be tailored to your individual needs? Sign us up! 

“There's also the time old classic that putting a pillow underneath the hips of a vulva owner, if they're on the bottom, can elevate the pelvis a little bit which can sometimes help anatomically for the penis to actually hit the G-spot better,” Diaz explains.

#9. You can reach many erogenous zones

All that in your face action provides plenty of opportunity to get wandering. 

“Really make use of the fact that we all have erogenous zones all over our bodies, which are really sensitive areas, but when you're in missionary, you get access to some of the most sensitive,” the sexpert says. “Which are the earlobes, the jawline, the neck, and the lips. You're right there with all of that accessible so make use of that and take time with it too.”

#10. It’s easiest for talking

Whether you want to utter sweet nothings to each other or turn up the dirty talk, missionary is the ideal physical position. 

“It actually does make it easier to talk to each other, rather than being faced away and in doggy position, like it’s harder to have a conversation in that,” comments Diaz. “You’re also so close, so it can come out easier. And if you are too shy to say something, you could also avoid the gazing eye-to-eye and whisper it into each other's ears instead.” 

#11. It’s a great base to work from

Picture missionary as your starting point. 

“I'm going to give a weird analogy, but missionary is like the plain pizza dough and you can just add on so many things from there, really excessively and really easy,” encourages the sexologist. “Such as toys, like butt plugs or vibrators, particularly if people aren't getting the clitoral stimulation they need, while there are so many toys now that are built for two people to use at the same time. You can also introduce nipple clamps in there and different types of lube and scents because your bodies are so close to each other. While you don’t even need to add anything physical in. You could try out different pet names for each other or role play in that position. 

“Lean into what aspects interest you,” Diaz recommends, “just to add on a level of spice.”