Here’s Why 69 Is Back

The 69 position is probably something you’ve tried a few times, but haven’t done in a while—and you’re not alone. 69 was big a while back but kind of faded out in favor of straight-up, one at a time oral which, frankly, is easier.

But now, 69 is making a comeback, and apparently it’s a good thing. “The position can feel spontaneous and creative, without trying to come up with something brand new,” says licensed marriage and sex therapist Kat Van Kirk, Ph.D. “It shows your partner that you are willing to make a little effort to keep things hot.”

Of course, 69 is kind of complicated and there’s a lot going on at once. “The 69 position can feel awkward,” Van Kirk admits. That’s why she recommends that whoever weighs less gets on top. “You can also use pillows or sex wedges under the top person’s knees to give more height and a pillow under the person’s head who is laying flat so they don’t have to strain to reach with their mouth,” she says. And, if that seems too uncomfortable for you, you can also lay on your sides, facing each other.

To help focus on your own pleasure (and not what your mouth is doing), Van Kirk recommends taking turns with orgasms while keeping oral contact with each other and making sure to tune into the sensations you’re experiencing. “Get out of your head and what you think you should be doing,” she says. You can also give yourself little breaks and use your hands for a moment to concentrate on your own O.

If you really want to max out your 69 experience, Van Kirk recommends using flavored lube. To ramp things up for your partner, allow your mouth to roam, stimulating his perineum, testicles, and inner thighs with your mouth and/or hands.

So, if you’ve been looking to mix up your sexual repertoire without doing something totally out of the box, maybe it’s time to revisit 69. Hey, it’s back for a reason.