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Physical effort: Medium Control

The Pleasure Candelabra: reclined reverse cowgirl on one hand

The Pleasure Candelabra is a reclined reverse cowgirl. He lies on his back with his legs stretched out; she squats astride his pelvis facing his feet, with her feet flat on the bed beside his hips, and leans her torso back, propping herself on one hand next to his head. She controls the rhythm and the angle, and leaning back changes how the penis presses inside the vagina. It asks for some strength in her thighs and wrist.

Also known as: Italian Candlestick · Reclined reverse cowgirl

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Illustration of The Pleasure Candelabra: Reclined reverse cowgirl: he lies on his back, she squats astride him facing his feet and leans back on one hand.
Anatomy and biomechanics

He lies on his back with his legs straight and slightly apart, his head a little raised on a pillow, and rests his hands on her waist or torso. She squats over his pelvis facing his feet, feet flat beside his hips and knees up and apart. Once he is inside, she leans her torso back and places one hand on the bed beside his head; the other hand is free. Her weight is shared between her feet, her supporting hand and his pelvis. She moves by rocking and gliding the pelvis or by rising slightly on her feet; leaning back tilts the penis towards the front wall of the vagina. Penetration is of medium depth. There is no eye contact or kissing, and the main load falls on her supporting wrist and her thighs.

Why this position works

Many women like being in charge: she chooses the speed, the depth and how far to lean back, and the change of angle feels different from the classic reverse cowgirl. Some people feel the pressure on the front wall of the vagina as pleasant, although it varies from one body to another. With one hand free, she or he can easily add stimulation of the clitoris. He gets an unusual view and can relax on his back. It is not a position for eye contact or kissing.

Variations of this position

Variation 1: leaning back on both hands

She places both hands on the bed behind her, on either side of his chest.

With two supports instead of one, her weight is spread between both wrists and she is more stable, so she can lean back a little further. Both her hands are busy, so he is the one who can stimulate her clitoris.

  1. Start in the base position, with her squatting astride him and facing his feet.
  2. She leans back and places both hands on the bed beside his chest, fingers pointing towards his head.
  3. She moves by rocking her pelvis, without bouncing.
  4. He can reach forward with one hand to stimulate her clitoris.

Variation 2: kneeling instead of squatting

She kneels astride him, knees on the bed beside his hips, instead of squatting on her feet.

Kneeling takes the effort off her thighs, so she can stay longer. She leans back less far and moves mainly by gliding the pelvis back and forth; the load shifts to her knees.

  1. He lies on his back with his legs stretched out.
  2. She kneels astride his pelvis facing his feet, knees on the bed beside his hips.
  3. Once he is inside, she leans back and places one hand on the bed beside his body.
  4. She glides her pelvis back and forth at her own pace.

Variation 3: free hand on the clitoris

She uses the hand that is not supporting her to stimulate her clitoris while she moves.

The position does not change: the free hand, which in the base position rests or holds his thigh, goes to the clitoris. She leans back a little less to keep her balance on one hand.

  1. Get into the base position, with her leaning back on one hand.
  2. She puts a little lubricant on the fingers of her free hand.
  3. She stimulates her clitoris with circles or gentle pressure.
  4. She moves her pelvis more slowly so she can keep both movements going.

Variation 4: he props himself up on his elbows

He raises his upper body onto his elbows so his chest comes closer to her back.

With his chest raised, she can lean back onto him instead of onto her hand, and he can kiss her back or shoulders and hold her waist. She can't lean as far, so the angle is a little less pronounced.

  1. Start in the base position.
  2. He bends his arms and rests on his elbows, lifting his chest.
  3. She leans back until her upper back touches his chest, keeping one hand on the bed.
  4. He holds her waist and she rocks her pelvis gently.

Variation 5: with a pillow under his hips

A firm pillow under his buttocks raises his pelvis a few centimetres.

With his pelvis higher, the penis points more upwards, so she reaches a similar angle while leaning back less. This takes some strain off her wrist and reduces how much the penis bends.

  1. He lies on his back and slides a firm pillow under his buttocks.
  2. She squats astride him facing his feet and guides him in.
  3. She leans back only as far as she needs, on one hand.
  4. Adjust the height of the pillow until the angle feels comfortable for both.

✓ Tips

  • Lean back only after he is inside and you feel stable; go back slowly to an upright position before getting up.
  • Keep the elbow of the supporting arm slightly bent and change hands if the wrist gets tired.
  • Rock and glide rather than bouncing high: if the penis slips out and she comes down at an angle, it can bend and be injured. Guide it back in by hand.
  • Do not lean further back than is comfortable: the more she leans, the more the penis is bent backwards. Stop at any sharp pain.
  • Use her or his free hand to stimulate the clitoris, with a little lubricant.
  • Use lubricant and a condom if you need protection against STIs or pregnancy.

Key facts

Interaction type
Vaginal penetration with her on top, facing away and leaning back
Active anatomy
Penis
Receptive anatomy
Vagina; clitoris reachable by hand
Main stimulation
Vaginal penetration angled towards the front wall; clitoris reachable with a free hand
Setups and participants
Couple · 2 people Hetero

Frequently asked questions

How is it different from the classic reverse cowgirl?

In the classic version she sits fairly upright or leans forward. Here she leans back on one hand, which changes the angle of penetration and frees the other hand.

Is it risky for the penis?

Any position with the woman on top can bend the penis if it slips out and she comes down hard. Leaning back increases the bend, so move with small, controlled rocking and stop if there is pain.

Is it suitable for beginners?

It requires some strength in her thighs and wrist. Couples who already know the reverse cowgirl can try it by leaning back little by little.

How can the clitoris be stimulated?

Her free hand can reach the clitoris easily, or he can reach forward with one hand; a little lubricant helps.

Safety and evidence 2 topics · 3 clinical and academic references

Scientific context for common terms used on this page. Keeping these terms makes the content easier to understand; the sources clarify what is established and what remains uncertain.

G-spot: what the evidence says

“G-spot” is a widely used term for a sensitive area of the anterior vaginal wall. Scientific literature has not established a discrete anatomical structure with an agreed location, size and nature; sensitivity and response can vary between individuals.

Sources
O'Connell HE, Sanjeevan KV, Hutson JM. Anatomy of the clitoris. The Journal of Urology. 2005. PubMed ↗
Vieira-Baptista P, et al. G-spot: Fact or Fiction? A Systematic Review. Sexual Medicine. 2021. PubMed ↗

A-spot / AFE zone: limited evidence

The “A-spot” or AFE zone has been proposed to describe a deeper area of the anterior vaginal wall. Available evidence is limited and does not support presenting it as a confirmed anatomical structure.

Sources
Chua Chee Ann. A proposal for a radical new sex therapy technique… the AFE Zone Stimulation Technique. Sexual and Marital Therapy. 1997. Original article ↗

Reviewed by the editorial team ·

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