What is the Kivin Method? Your Guide to Sideways Oral

So you've heard about the Kivin Method for oral sex. But what are the benefits of this cunnilingus technique? And how do you perform it? Sex educator Cassandra Corrado gives the ultimate 101 demo on this unfamiliar oral sex position.

Whether you're looking for a simple way to refresh your oral routine beyond the usual clit stimulation techniques or want to discover why some folks are having blended orgasms in just 3-5 minutes (yes, really), please allow me to introduce you to the Kivin Method for cunnilingus.

Oh, and if you're still getting caught up on your sexual vocabulary, cunnilingus = oral sex performed on a vulva, otherwise known as eating someone out. We keep it inclusive here because pleasure is for every body - whether you're exploring with couples toys or discovering new techniques solo!

What Is the Kivin Method for Oral Sex?

Put simply, the Kivin Method is cunnilingus repositioned sideways - think perpendicular oral pleasure.

Rather than the giver and receiver being in one straight(ish) line together, their bodies form a right(ish) angle, with the giver lying perpendicular to the receiver. Make an L or T shape with your hands, and you'll see the basic positioning. Who knew you would use geometry for your sex life?

The beauty of this sideways oral technique? Your side-to-side tongue motion translates to up-and-down stimulation for your partner (the preferred pattern for 63.7% of vulva owners, according to research). Plus, you get access to way more pleasure zones, including those elusive "K points" - two small, rice-grain-sized bumps on either side of the clitoral hood that become more prominent during arousal.

If you're feeling a little turned around, don't worry - we'll break down exactly how to master this position step-by-step.

Who invented the Kivin Method?

We'd love to give credit where it's due, but TBH—no one knows for sure who "invented" the Kivin Method.

In Naked at Our Age (published in 2011), Joan Price says that the Kivin Method was "originally presented by Dr. Patti Britton in Paris", but doesn't share any more context about the event or year.

In a 2003 issue of The Atlantic, the author mentions reading about it in The Complete Idiot's Guide to Tantric Sex, published by Dr. Judy Kuriansky in 2001.

Regardless, I'm confident that people were doing the Kivin Method before it was ever called that. So, when you're trying to give thanks, maybe just say "thanks, Universe."

Why the Kivin Method Works: 5 Game-Changing Benefits

In a 2018 study, 63.7% of self-identified women said they preferred up-and-down vulvar stimulation over other patterns. Up-and-down stimulation can feel pretty natural when you're using your hand, but when it comes to your tongue... well, your jaw, neck, and tongue can get tired out pretty quickly.

Enter the Kivin Method - your solution to longer-lasting, more pleasurable cunnilingus techniques.

1. Less Neck Strain = Longer Sessions

In the "conventional" position for cunnilingus, the performer may find that their neck starts to feel strained after a bit. With the Kivin Method, you're able to keep your upper body more completely engaged and can even use pillows (like the Liberator Ramp), your arm, or your partner's leg to help support your head and neck alignment.

This means you can maintain that perfect rhythm right through their orgasm without cramping up at the crucial moment.

2. Access to the Whole Vulva (Not Just the Clit)

Look, the clit is amazing—but there's so much more to explore! The clitoral glans (that visible "nub") is literally just the tip of the iceberg.

The rest of the clitoris is a double-wishbone structure with:

• Crura (outer legs): Extending behind the labia majora
• Vestibular bulbs: Behind the labia minora, hugging the vaginal opening
• K points: Those sensitive spots on either side of the clitoral hood

The Kivin Method gives you access to stimulate all these areas simultaneously, which is why many report more intense, full-body orgasms.

3. Hip and Pelvis Comfort

The sideways positioning means the receiver can wrap one leg over your back instead of holding that wide-open lotus position. This slight adjustment takes pressure off the hips and can reduce those mid-pleasure "hold on, I have a hip cramp!" moments—especially important for folks with arthritis or joint issues.

4. Perfect Angle for Perineum Play

Between the lifted leg and the sideways positioning, accessing the perineum (that sensitive area between the vulva and anus) becomes effortless. This highly innervated zone is packed with pleasure receptors and is often overlooked in traditional oral positions.

For those interested in anal play for vulva owners, this position makes it easy to incorporate without awkward repositioning.

5. The 3-Minute Orgasm Promise

Here's what everyone wants to know: Can the Kivin Method really deliver orgasms in 3-5 minutes? Many people swear by it, reporting climaxes in as little as 2-3 minutes.

The combination of:

• Complete vulva access
• Stimulation of K points
• Comfortable positioning
• Ability to maintain consistent rhythm

...creates the perfect storm for faster, more intense orgasms. That said, every body is different—focus on pleasure, not racing against a clock!

How to Master the Kivin Method: Step-by-Step Guide

Trying something new can feel overwhelming, but remember - you don't have to be perfect your first time. Think of this as an experiment where curiosity beats perfection every time.

1. Be playful

Many of us struggle to really play in the bedroom. We get so tied up in performance anxiety and achieving a certain goal; we forget that the whole point is pleasure—not earning top marks in technique (unless you're role-playing, in which case, you do you).

Any time you're trying a new technique, position, roleplay, or dirty talk, remember to play with it. You don't have to perfect right off the bat, and you might feel a little awkward at first. That's okay! It's part of the process. Be curious about the things that excite you and your partners, and keep moving forward little by little from there.

2. Communicate about it

I'll be honest with you: There is no one sex technique that is universally loved by everyone. Our bodies, desires, and pleasures are all different, and that's totally okay! You also don't have to be perfect at everything (see point #1 above) right off the bat.

Instead of assuming that everything will be immediately amazing or focusing on getting it perfect, check in with your partner about what they're enjoying and what they want more or less of.

If you're the receiving partner, tell the giver what they're doing well, and ask for (or guide) adjustments when you need them. The best way to create a pleasurable sexual experience is to communicate about it, so keep coming back to this one—it's really foundational.

3. Get into basic position for the Kivin Method

Before you stress about it too much, remember that the Kivin Method is fundamentally a sex position to help increase everyone's pleasure. The receiving partner will lay down on their back somewhere comfortable, while the giver lays down perpendicular to them, at the vulva's level.

Then, have the recipient raise the leg closest to their partner and wrap it over their back. Don't worry about specific placement; just find the spot that feels most comfortable to you both! If you want even more support, you can try using a sex pillow underneath the receiver's hips to elevate them some more or try putting a pillow underneath your partner's head and neck. You could even use bondage ties, spreader bars, and positioning straps to help hold the receiver's legs in a comfortable position.

Remember, you're not stuck with the accessories you start with, so you can always add or take things away as you want!

From here, the giver's head should be just about at the level of the vulva. Check-in with your partner to see how the position feels for their body, make adjustments, and then get started!

4. Use your mouth

In the Kivin Method position, the giver's tongue can more easily cover the vulva's vast territory. Instead of focusing just on the clit, let your tongue move side-to-side and up-and-down, finding a rhythm that works for you and your partner.

I recommend starting off with lighter, slower pressure and slowly building up speed and pressure from there, based on your partner's feedback. You aren't tied to one specific motion with the Kivin Method, so try out a few different patterns, shapes, and speeds to see what feels best.

With the relaxed, open hip position, the giver could also use their tongue to more easily stimulate the introitus (vaginal opening). Use a wide, flat tongue to massage the opening and a firmer, pointed tongue to explore inside. The vaginal opening is densely packed with nerve endings (and is being hugged by those vestibular bulbs we mentioned earlier), so this light stimulation can feel really nice.

The beauty of the Kivin Method is that it gives you wider access to the whole vulva, so rather than focusing exclusively on the clitoral glans, take the opportunity to get to know your partner's body a little better! Use your tongue to stimulate the labia major, labia minora, vaginal opening, inner thighs, perineum, and anywhere your pleasure journey takes you both. (And BTW, that tip applies to regular ole cunnilingus, too).

5. Use your hands

Hands are extremely under-utilized in oral sex. You might be like, "Okay, but it's oral sex" and I know that, but hear me out. Using your hands during oral allows you to add in an additional layer of stimulation and can help give your tongue and jaw a rest.

You can use one hand to put light pressure on the pubic mound and to slightly draw back the clitoral hood. Or, try varying it up by using one or two fingers to put pressure down on the labia major on either side of the clitoral glans (that pressure can help intensify orgasms and can help draw the glans out a bit more).

You can also use your fingers and lube for internal stimulation of the vagina while you stimulate the clit and vulva with your tongue. If your tongue or jaw needs a break, let your fingers take over. Want to massage a part of your partner's body? Hands!

You can also use your fingertips and some lube for a perineal massage. In fact, many folks consider perineal stimulation to be essential to the Kivin Method. I'm on Team "Do What Feels Best for You" so if perineal stimulation feels great for you and your partner, yay! And if it's more of a "meh" experience, then go ahead and focus elsewhere.

You truly have infinite possibilities here, so consider your hands as an extra tool and use them to help you out.

6. Add in a toy

Oral doesn't need to be all about your mouth; just as you can use your hands to support your efforts, you can use toys as tools, too! You might, for example, hold a bullet vibe onto your partner's clit (or have them hold it in place) while you orally explore the rest of their vulva.

You could use a vibrator with a g-zone attachment (like the Le Wand Squirting Set) to incorporate hands-free vaginal play while also stimulating the clitoral glans.

Toys are also a great way to bring the booty into play without the worry of unintentionally bringing trace fecal matter or bacteria from the anus to the vagina. Adding in a small, lubricated plug like the Novice Plug can create a sensation of fullness, which can lead to powerful orgasms. If you're more experienced with anal play, you could try adding in a larger plug with a few more bells and whistles, like the Rimming Plug 2.

Remember, toys are tools. There's no shame in using them to add to a sexual experience, and it doesn't say anything bad about your partner's level of sexual skill!

How does the Kivin Method feel?

There are countless articles out there that will tell you that the Kivin Method is the absolute best-ever cunnilingus! You'll be begging for more! And, yeah. You might really enjoy it!

But, everybody is different. Some folks may find the position uncomfortable, or may not like the wider vulvar stimulation that comes with the Kivin Method. Listen to your partner if they tell you they just weren't feeling it. There isn't anything wrong with not liking a technique, position, or toy that seemingly everyone else loves. Everyone's pleasures are different!

Still, many folks find the Kivin Method to be especially pleasurable and to feel like a more natural, comfortable position compared to conventional cunnilingus. And for folks who want their partners to pay attention to their whole vulva, not just the clit, the Kivin Method opens up a world of possibilities that may have felt hidden away before.

The important thing is to approach the Kivin Method with curiosity and an open mind. Don't be afraid to play around, be a little clumsy, and reposition yourself until you find an angle that works for you. Talk about trying out the Kivin Method ahead of time, and then debrief again afterward. You're trying something new for the first time! That's pretty cool and brave of you!

Remember, the only person who can tell you how the Kivin Method feels for you is you. So put your scientist hat on and experiment away!

BONUS! The best cunnilingus positions and techniques:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Le Wand (@lewandmassager)