Exploring the Potential Improvements in Sexual Function through Yoga Practice
Improving Sexual Function through Yoga: Can It Really Work?
Various wellness blogs and personal testimonials praise yoga for enhancing sexual experiences, sometimes remarkably. However, is there scientific evidence to back these claims? Let's take a closer look.
Yoga, an ancient practice, is currently being studied for its potential health benefits, including improved sexual function. Conditions such as depression, stress, anxiety, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and thyroid issues are among those that yoga has been linked to.
Recent studies have delved into the underlying mechanisms, revealing that yoga may lower the body's inflammatory response, regulate stress, reduce cortisol levels, and boost a protein that promotes brain growth and health.
While yoga's physical benefits can lead to a sense of pleasure, the question remains: can it improve our sex lives? Let's examine the research.
Enhanced Sexual Function in Women
Researchers at The Journal of Sexual Medicine published a study indicating that yoga positively affects sexual function, particularly among women over 45 years old. Over a period of twelve weeks, 40 women participated in yoga sessions, self-reporting improvements in desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. Surprisingly, 75 percent of the participants noted enhanced sexual experiences after undergoing yoga training.
The study focused on 22 poses, or yogasanas, believed to strengthen the pelvic floor, improve digestion, and boost mood. Examples include trikonasana, bhujangasana, and ardha matsyendra mudra.
Sexual Health Improvements in Men
Men can also benefit from yoga. A study led by Dr. Vikas Dhikav, a neurologist at the Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi, India, found that a 12-week yoga program improved male sexual satisfaction as per the Male Sexual Quotient. Improvements were noted in desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance, confidence, partner synchronization, erection, ejaculatory control, and orgasm.
Further research by the same team found that yoga is a non-pharmacological alternative for treating premature ejaculation.
The Science Behind Better Sex
So, how does yoga boost sexual satisfaction? A review by researchers at the University of British Columbia helps explain some of the underlying mechanisms.
Among other benefits, yoga regulates attention and breathing, reduces stress and anxiety, and activates the nervous system to promote relaxation – all of which are linked to sexual response improvements.
In addition, yoga can increase psychological awareness and empowerment, potentially leading to increased sexual assertiveness and desirability.
The Power of Moola Bandha
Though stories about energy flow and orgasms may lack rigorous scientific evidence, other yogic concepts, such as Moola Bandha, are more grounded in reason. Moola Bandha is a contraction of the perineal muscles believed to stimulate the nervous system in the pelvic region, ultimately enhancing circulation and sexual health.
Studies suggest that Moola Bandha can aid in treating period and childbirth pain, sexual difficulties, and testosterone secretion in men, providing a natural means to alleviate these issues.
The Limitations of Current Evidence
While the potential benefits of yoga for sexual health are exciting, it's essential to acknowledge the limited empirical evidence compared to anecdotal stories found online. More rigorous research is needed to validate yoga's sexual health benefits.
Nonetheless, recent studies focusing on women with metabolic syndrome and multiple sclerosis have shown promising results in sexual function improvement, implying that yoga may be a viable treatment option for certain populations.
In conclusion, the evidence suggests that while direct scientific evidence linking yoga to improved sexual function is currently sparse, its benefits for overall health and well-being may indirectly contribute to sexual health enhancement. Until future research can provide definitive answers, incorporating yoga into daily routines seems worthwhile, offering potential improvements in sexual satisfaction and pelvic muscle health.
- The Journal of Sexual Medicine published a study indicating that yoga positively impacts sexual function, particularly among women over 45 years old, with 75% of participants noting enhanced sexual experiences after undergoing yoga training.
- A study led by Dr. Vikas Dhikav found that a 12-week yoga program improved male sexual satisfaction, with improvements noted in desire, performance, confidence, and orgasm.
- Research suggests that yoga's regulation of attention and breathing, reduction of stress and anxiety, and activation of the nervous system to promote relaxation contribute to improvements in sexual response.
