How Deep Should The Penis Go During Intercourse?

Last Updated on March 24, 2025

All of the questions you see on this page are common concerns of women as they begin to experience penetrative sex (intercourse). These questions and worries are there because the vagina is an invisible canal. The woman cannot observe what is ‘there’ nor what happens when the penis slides in and thrusts. So, how deep should the penis go during sex?

How deep can a penis go during sex?

How deep will he go? As deep as your vagina allows; as deep as is comfortable for the (receiving) woman; as deep as your and his physiques allow; as deep as the passion asks for… Men can adjust their penetration depth, so ladies, you must speak up about your preferences so the sexual event will be free of stress or pain.

Where does the penis go during sex?

The uterus sits at the end of the vagina, and its bottom opening – the cervix – is the part that the penis will tap during thrusting, an alignment that is natural and designed to function just so. Please read our other post, Hitting the cervix.

Do you need to help guide the penis into the opening of the vagina?

There are different reasons why guiding the penis into the vagina for sexual intercourse is a consideration to be had: at times it is a choice, at times it is an option, and at times it would be a necessity. In other words, unless there is a reason for having to guide the penis, it will always find its natural way into the vagina albeit with some fumbling if a newbie…

For a more detailed explanation, read our blog post, Guiding the penis, and watch our video, How to Guide The Penis Into The Vagina.

What will the penis hit during sex?

On its journey into the vagina, the penis will pass through the introitus, which is the opening or the ring of the vagina, then it will glide along the vaginal walls and beneath the urethra until it will reach the ‘end’ where it would typically tap against the cervix.

However, there could be structural variations, such as

• Tapping the uterus itself if tilted up, down, or sideways (verted), or
• Tapping the fornix, which is a circular recess at the upper vagina – think a ‘bay window’ on right and left, or
• Tapping against the surgical end if the woman had such.

Will the penis hit the cervix during sex?

The anatomy of sexual intercourse includes penis penetration toward the woman’s (comfortable) vaginal end, followed by thrusting, which is the ‘pumping’ movement of the penis that is similar to the ‘up and down’ stimulation along the shaft of the penis during manual or oral sex.

Unless the woman had her cervix surgically removed, thrusting will rhythmically tap against the cervix/uterus. There should not be any worry about such tapping for the female anatomy is built for this provided the penis respects her vaginal available depth and comfort.

If she no longer has a cervix/uterus, the penis will tap against her surgical ‘end’ as per her comfort, and available physical depth. Likewise, if she had radiation to her vagina and/or pelvic region because of cancer.

How long is the vaginal canal?

The typical vaginal canal is about 10 cm long, similar to the length of a flaccid (non-erect) penis. Or, about the distance from the tip of your index (pointer) finger to the base of the thumb.

The penis will tap on the cervix/uterus during intercourse, causing them to move further into the pelvis thus lengthening the vagina. The same happens naturally during the female climax, an expansion known as ‘tenting.’ Either of these lengthenings are possible because of the ‘trampoline-like suspension and mobility of the uterus.

Note, that just like there are shorter and longer penises, so there are shorter and longer vaginas. However, those variations are quite small, typically measured in millimeters.

For more information about vaginal depth, read our other post, Vagina – endless?

Will sex and penetration hurt?

No, yes, it depends…

Typically speaking, penis penetration for sexual intercourse is a pain-free activity. Why else would women allow it otherwise?!

However, there are many factors that may negatively affect the comfort of vaginal penetration, leading to vaginismus, dyspareunia, female sexual dysfunction, emotional distress, and relationship breakdowns.

We have many videos about this topic for your viewing. The following is just a short list:

• What is Vaginismus?
• What is Dyspareunia (painful sex)?
• Painful Sex
• Female Sexual Dysfunction

Will certain sex positions help with deep penetration?

Sexual penetration is supposed to be deep, up to the woman’s comfortable vaginal end.

However, a penis that is a tad longer than the vagina can accommodate, a super-enthusiastic penis that is pushing hard and deep, structural variations in the vagina due to surgery or menopause or radiation, physical limitations, or her discomfort are just a few of the causes that mandate modifying sexual positions to ensure her comfort and their mutual satisfaction.

There are sexual positions that lend to deeper penetrations (i.e. doggie style, side-by-side) while others do the opposite by keeping the vagina in a shortened position (missionary with her knees toward her chest).

Watch this video for further explanations: Sex Consideration | How to Choose the Sexual Position