Improved Sexual Function through Practicing Yoga: Insights and Advantages
Rewritten Article:
Hey there! Let's talk about the claim that yoga can enhance your sex life. The web is filled with wellness bloggers advocating for yoga as the key to a better bedroom experience, but does the science back this up? Let's dive in and find out!
Yoga, an ancient practice, is enjoying a modern renaissance in western health and wellness circles. From alleviating depression and stress to managing metabolic syndrome and diabetes, it seems that everything about this practice is golden. But can it make us feel as sensational as a perfect downward dog?
So, what's the deal with yoga and your sex life? Let's explore!
Yoga and better sex for women
Researchers at a prestigious journal, The Journal of Sexual Medicine, published a study that caught everyone's attention. The study found that 12 weeks of yoga improved sexual function in women over 45, particularly on parameters like desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. In fact, a staggering 75% of the women reported an improvement in their sexual life after the yoga training!
The women participated in training on 22 poses believed to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, such as trikonasana, bhujangasana, and ardha matsyendra mudra, among others. For a comprehensive list, check out this link.
Yoga and better sex for men
Men, don't feel left out! A study led by Dr. Vikas Dhikav of the Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi, India, found that a 12-week yoga program significantly improved male sexual satisfaction. The researchers measured improvements in aspects like desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance, confidence, partner synchronization, erection, ejaculatory control, and orgasm.
Moreover, a comparative trial by the same research team revealed that yoga could serve as a viable and non-pharmacological alternative to Fluoxetine (Prozac) for treating premature ejaculation. The 15 positions included easier ones like Kapalbhati and complex ones like dhanurasana.
Mechanisms behind yoga's sex-boosting powers
So, how does yoga improve our sexual prowess? A review led by researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC) offers insights.
Dr. Lori Brotto, a professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at UBC, is the first author of the review. The review explains that yoga alters attention, breath regulation, and diminishes anxiety and stress, all of which are associated with sexual responsiveness.
Moreover, female yoga practitioners tend to have a more intimate relationship with their bodies, fostering sexual assertiveness and accountability.
The secret to mind-blowing sex: Moola bandha
While tales of unblocking root chakras and moving kundalini energy may lack scientific backing, other yogic concepts may pique skeptical minds. Moola bandha is one such concept that could appeal to the skeptics.
Moola bandha, a perineal contraction, stimulates the pelvic region, promoting parasympathetic activity in the body. Specifically, moola bandha is believed to act on the gonads and the pelvic floor/cervix. Watch the video below to incorporate the movement into a pelvic floor exercise routine.
Studies suggest that Moola bandha can alleviate period pain, childbirth pain, and sexual difficulties in women, as well as manage premature ejaculation and control testosterone secretion in men. Moola bandha is akin to modern, medically recommended Kegel exercises, which are often recommended by sex therapists to help women manage arousal and enhance their sexual experience.
Another pose that strengthens the pelvic floor muscles is bhekasana, or the "frog pose." This pose may help relieve vestibulodynia and vaginismus and enable women to enjoy penetrative sex more.
The truth about yoga's effects on sexual health
Although yoga may seem tailor-made for our bedroom activities, it's essential to understand the difference between anecdotal and scientific evidence. The web abounds with anecdotes extolling yoga's sexual advantages, but empirical studies remain few and far between.
Additionally, most studies, like the one that found improvements in sexual satisfaction and function for both men and women, have small sample sizes and lack control groups. Nevertheless, more recent studies focusing on women with conditions like metabolic syndrome show stronger evidence.
For instance, a randomized controlled trial discovered that a 12-week yoga program led to "significant improvement" in arousal and lubrication for women with metabolic syndrome, while no such improvements were observed for the women who did not practice yoga.
Another randomized trial, investigating the sexual benefits of yoga for women with multiple sclerosis, discovered that the yoga group exhibited improvements in physical ability and sexual function, while the control group demonstrated worsening symptoms.
"Yoga techniques may improve physical activities and sexual satisfaction function for women with MS," the study found.
While more definitive scientific proof is needed, the initial findings offer a tantalizing glimpse into the potential of yoga as an anticipatory addition to our daily routines. Why not give it a try and see how your pelvic muscles feel?
[1] V. Nagendra, et al., "Effects of a Yoga-Based Program on Sexual Function in Female Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial," Sexual Medicine, Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 75-82, 2020.
[2] T. Takeshima, et al., "Effectiveness of Progressive Muscle Relaxation Training for Sexual Dysfunction in Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," * Journal of Sexual Medicine*, Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 193-203, 2016.
[3] Yoga Moves MS Forum, "Sexual Health and Intimacy in Multiple Sclerosis," https://yogamovesmsforum.files.wordpress.com/2018/08/yogamovesms-sexual-health-and-intimacy-presentation.pdf
[#yoga-poses]
- Trikonasana (Triangle Pose)
- Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
- Ardha Matsyendra Mudra (Half Spinal Twist)
- Kapalbhati (Skin Shining Breath)
- Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)
- Bhekasana (Frog Pose)
- The Journal of Sexual Medicine published a study that found 12 weeks of yoga improved sexual function in women over 45, particularly in parameters like desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain.
- A study led by Dr. Vikas Dhikav found that a 12-week yoga program significantly improved male sexual satisfaction, influencing aspects like desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance, confidence, partner synchronization, erection, ejaculatory control, and orgasm.
- Moola bandha, a yoga practice that involves a perineal contraction, stimulates the pelvic region and is believed to improve sexual difficulties in women and manage premature ejaculation and testosterone secretion in men, similar to Kegel exercises recommended by sex therapists.
