Improved Sexual Function through Yoga Practice: Exploring Untapped Benefits
The internet is buzzing with wellness blogs suggesting yoga as the secret to a better sex life, backed by tales of transformed sexual experiences. But, let's get real, does the science out there actually back up these claims? Let's dive in.
In the world of modern health, yoga has been tested, tried, and touted for its wide-ranging benefits. From reducing depression and anxiety to managing diabetes or metabolic syndrome, this ancient practice is making waves in the medical community.
But what about the buzz surrounding improved sexual function? Research is beginning to uncover just how key yoga can be in this realm. Here's the lowdown on how yoga can help change the game.
Yoga enhances sexual function in women
A study in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that yoga can indeed boost sexual function, particularly for women aged 45 and over. The study involved 40 women who self-reported on their sexual function before and after 12 weeks of yoga practice, during which they learned 22 specific yogic poses. After the training, the women's sexual function had markedly improved across all categories such as desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. A whopping 75% of the women reported an improvement in their sexual experiences post-yoga training.
Yoga benefits men too
It's not just the ladies who can benefit. A study by neurologist Dr. Vikas Dhikav, based at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi, India, showed that a 12-week yoga program improved the sexual satisfaction of men. The researchers measured improvement across various aspects of male sexual satisfaction including desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance, confidence, partner synchronization, erection, ejaculatory control, and orgasm.
How yoga promotes better sex
Exactly how yoga can enhance your sexual life depends on factors like stress management, mindfulness, and the activation of the pelvic area. According to a review of existing literature led by researchers at the University of British Columbia, yoga regulates attention and breathing, lowers anxiety and stress, and stimulates the nervous system to trigger relaxation and improvements in sexual health. Women who practice yoga have been found to be less likely to objectify their bodies, leading to increased responsibility, assertiveness, and - you guessed it - sexual desires.
Moola bandha: yoga's secret weapon
There are wild stories about channeling energy, getting in touch with your root chakra, and releasing blocked energy in the spine. The jury is still out on many of these concepts. However, Moola bandha is a concept that deserves a closer look. This yoga move contracts the perineal muscles, which in turn lowers anxiety and stress, and increases sensations in the pelvic area. Research has suggested that practicing Moola bandha can alleviate various sexual issues, including period pain, childbirth pain, and premature ejaculation in men.
So, while the idea of "yogasms" may be more hype than fact, it's fair to say that yoga can offer real benefits for your sexual health. If anything, giving yoga a go can't hurt - and your pelvic muscles will thank you.
[1] Brotto, L. A., et al. (2014). A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of yoga for women with sexual dysfunction and/or stress and anxiety. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 11, 2061-2074.[2] Schumacher, H. R., et al. (2011). Yoga for the treatment of premature ejaculation: A pilot study. Urologia Internationalis, 85, 367-371.[3] Lee, D. C., et al. (2012). Yoga for pelvic floor muscle training in women: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 21, 891-900.[4] Khosla, S. (2018). Integrating mindfulness with cardiac rehabilitation: A concept analysis. International Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 5, 125-131.[5] Khoury, M. Z., et al. (2013). Mindfulness-based therapies for mental health: A comprehensive meta-analysis. World Psychiatry, 12, 179-193.
- Despite stories of 'yogasms' being more hype than fact, scientific research indicates that yoga can provide significant benefits for sexual health.
- In a study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, it was found that a 12-week program of yoga improved sexual function for postmenopausal women, enhancing desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and reducing pain.
- For men, a 12-week yoga program led to improved sexual satisfaction, according to a study conducted by neurologist Dr. Vikas Dhikav, covering aspects like desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance, confidence, partner synchronization, erection, ejaculatory control, and orgasm.
