CAT Scratch Fever: The Coital Alignment Technique
The Internet watercooler has been a-chatter the last couple of weeks due to Netflix’s latest hit, Sex/Life, an original drama wherein a suburban wife / mom has ongoing sexual fantasies about her ex, who’s just come back into her life. Recalling the best sex of her life, the memory of the pleasure she received involved a position that apparently had many fans wondering -- what in the heck is orgasm via coital alignment technique?
A modified version of the traditional missionary position, the coital alignment technique emphasizes a woman’s pleasure by focusing on clitoral stimulation rather than deep penetration. The clitoris is the most sexually sensitive area for a woman, the part of the vulva colloquially referred to as “the little man in the canoe.” With its plethora of nerve endings, the clitoris is a major erogenous zone that with the right touch can send your partner to heights of desire or with the wrong touch can leave one in pain.
The more one knows about their body, about what feels good, what doesn’t, the easier it is to achieve a pleasurable experience. Still unsure about the female anatomy? Healthline has a fairly thorough explanation on cliorital stimulation and MindBody Green has created a list of tips to master the coital alignment technique. Follow your partner’s lead, asking her what she likes or how she wants you to touch her -- or if it’s your fun button that needs pushing / smashing, lose the hesitancy.
At the end of the day (or middle -- afternoon delight, anyone?) sexual experiences can and should be pleasurable and consensual for all parties. But for sex to be all it can, you need to take ownership of your desires, wants, and needs. You must be willing to be vocal, manually instruct, or otherwise inform your partner how you want to be pleased, just like you would want to know how they want to be touched. Any partner worth your time will be perfectly willing to ensure you are enjoying yourself as much as they are and if they’re not? Well, we do operate in the technological age.