Improved Sexual Function through Yoga Practice: A Closer Look
Let's dive into the scintillating world of wellness blogs, where they recommend yoga to spice up your sex life. Anecdotal accounts abound, suggesting that yoga can boost sexual experiences - and sometimes quite spectacularly. But does the research stack up? We're about to find out.
Yoga, an ancient practice, is gaining ground in modern medicine as studies uncover its numerous health benefits. From reducing stress and anxiety to combating metabolic syndrome and diabetes, the list just keeps growing.
Recent studies have shed light on the underlying mechanisms behind yoga's benefits. It seems that yoga lower our body's inflammatory response, counters stress-inducing genetic expressions, reduces cortisol levels, and boosts proteins that promote brain health and growth.
Now, we can't ignore the fact that yoga just feels good. And if rumors about coregasms during yoga are to be believed, it can feel downright orgasmic. Connecting with our bodies can offer a rejuvenating, restorative, and physically pleasurable experience. But can yoga's mood-boosting poses actually improve our sex lives? Let's explore the research.
Yoga sends sparks flying for the gals
One study that caught the headlines was published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. It found that yoga can improve sexual function - particularly for women aged 45 and above.
The study examined the effects of 12 weeks of yoga on 40 women who self-reported on their sexual function before and after the sessions. After 12 weeks, these ladies' sexual function had significantly improved across all sections of the Female Sexual Function Index: "desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain."
A whopping 75 percent of the women reported an improvement in their sex lives post-yoga training. The yoga routines these women were trained on focused on 22 poses designed to strengthen the pelvic floor, improve mood, and boost core strength.
Men are not left out of the fun
Guys, don't feel neglected! A similar study led by Dr. Vikas Dhikav, a neurologist, examined the effects of a 12-week yoga program on the sexual satisfaction of men.
After the study period, the participants reported a significant improvement in their sexual function, as evaluated by the standard Male Sexual Quotient. The researchers found improvements across all aspects of male sexual satisfaction: "desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance, confidence, partner synchronization, erection, ejaculatory control, [and] orgasm."
The magic behind yoga's bedroom moves
But how does yoga work its magic in the bedroom? A review of existing literature led by researchers at the University of British Columbia helps us understand some of the sex-enhancing mechanisms.
Yoga regulates attention and breathing, lowers anxiety and stress, and activates the nervous system that promotes relaxation, all of which are associated with improved sexual response.
There are also psychological mechanisms at play. Women who practice yoga are less likely to objectify their bodies and tend to be more aware of their physical selves, which can result in increased sexual desire and assertiveness.
The power of the moola bandha
Now, if you're a skeptic, stories about releasing blocked energy in root chakras and moving "kundalini energy" up the spine might not tickle your fancy. But other yogic concepts, like the moola bandha, might just do the trick.
Moola bandha is a contractions exercise that stimulates the pelvic region and enforces parasympathetic activity in the body. This exercise has been suggested to relieve period pain, childbirth pain, and sexual difficulties in women, as well as treating premature ejaculation and regulating testosterone secretion in men.
Some studies also suggest that moola bandha helps women become more aware of their arousal sensations in the genital area, which improves desire and sexual experience.
Is the evidence solid gold?
While the potential sexual benefits of yoga are exciting, it's important to remember that the empirical evidence supporting these claims is still somewhat scarce compared to anecdotal evidence. But research is evolving, with a growing number of studies focusing on women with sexual dysfunction and other health conditions.
For example, a randomized controlled trial examining the effects of yoga in women with metabolic syndrome found "significant improvement" in arousal and lubrication, whereas no such improvements were seen in the control group. Another study focusing on women with multiple sclerosis found that yoga techniques improved physical ability and sexual function.
In conclusion, while more research is needed to fully support the sexual benefits of yoga, the evidence suggests that it has potential. So, if you're hankering for a sexual boost and an equally beneficial workout, yoga might just be the ticket. Roll out that mat and prepare to be amazed!
- The Journal of Sexual Medicine published a study that found yoga can improve sexual function, particularly for women aged 45 and above, with significant improvements across desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain as reported by 75% of the women involved.
- A similar study led by Dr. Vikas Dhikav found that a 12-week yoga program significantly improved sexual satisfaction for men, with improvements across desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance, confidence, partner synchronization, erection, ejaculatory control, and orgasm.
- Research led by the University of British Columbia suggests that yoga regulates attention and breathing, lowers anxiety and stress, and activates the nervous system that promotes relaxation, which are all associated with improved sexual response.
- Moola bandha, a contractions exercise that stimulates the pelvic region and enforces parasympathetic activity in the body, has been suggested to relieve period pain, childbirth pain, and sexual difficulties in women, as well as treating premature ejaculation and regulating testosterone secretion in men.
- While the empirical evidence supporting the sexual benefits of yoga is still somewhat scarce compared to anecdotal evidence, a randomized controlled trial found significant improvement in arousal and lubrication for women with metabolic syndrome, and another study focusing on women with multiple sclerosis found that yoga techniques improved physical ability and sexual function. Thus, while more research is needed, the evidence suggests that yoga has potential for improving sexual health.
