It is commonly believed that the term 'missionary position' arose in connection with English-speaking Christian missionaries, who supposedly encouraged the sexual position in new converts in the colonial era. The position is less suitable for late stages of pregnancy, or when it is desired for the woman to have greater control over rhythm and depth of penetration. It is also possible for the woman to thrust against him by moving her hips or pushing her feet against the bed, or squeeze him closer with her arms or legs.

During sexual activity, the missionary position allows the man to control the rhythm and depth of pelvic thrusting. The position is also believed to be a good position for reproduction. The missionary position is often preferred by couples who enjoy the romantic aspects of ample skin-to-skin contact and opportunities to look into each other's eyes and kiss and caress each other.

Variations of the position allow varying degrees of clitoral stimulation, depth of penetration, participation on the part of the woman, and the likelihood and speed of orgasm. It may involve sexual penetration or non-penetrative sex (for example, intercrural sex), and its penile-vaginal aspect is an example of ventro-ventral (front-to-front) reproductive activity. The missionary position is the most common sex position, but is not universally regarded as the most favoured one. It is commonly associated with heterosexual sexual activity, but is also used by same-sex couples. The position may also be used for other sexual activity, such as anal sex.

The missionary position or man-on-top position is a sex position in which, generally, a woman lies on her back and a man lies on top of her while they face each other and engage in vaginal intercourse. A couple engaged in the basic variation of the missionary position involving ventral-ventral contact, the most commonly practiced sex position For other uses, see The Missionary Position.

Karma sutra position 43