Enhancing Sexual Performance through Yoga: Insights and Advantages
The online wellness scene is bustling with yogis boasting about how the ancient practice improves their sex lives, sometimes to an astounding degree. But, do the studies support these claims? Let's dig deeper.
The world of yoga is expansive and delves into a myriad of health benefits, from easing stress to battling metabolic conditions like diabetes[1]. Modern research has unraveled the intricate mechanisms behind these positive effects. For instance, yoga has been found to lower inflammation, control genetic expression related to stress, reduce cortisol levels, and stimulate a protein aiding brain growth and health[1]. And let's not forget the sheer physical pleasure it offers, with some even swearing by the mystical experience of a "coregasm"[1]. Yet, does this flow of feel-good vibes translate into an improved sex life? We take a dive into the research.
Yoga: A Bedroom Booster for Women
A study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine that focused on women aged 45 and above discovered that, indeed, yoga can bolster sexual function[2]. The study centered on 40 women who reported on their sexual experiences before and after their 12-week yoga journey. Post the 12-week period, there was a noticeable improvement across all sections of the Female Sexual Function Index - desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain[2]. Around 75% of the women reported enhanced sexual lives after their yoga training[2].
The women were schooled on 22 poses, yogasanas, claimed to enhance core abdominal muscles, improve digestion, strengthen the pelvic floor, and amp up their mood[2]. Listed below are some famous ones:
- Trikonasana, or the Triangle Pose
- Bhujangasana, or the Snake Pose
- Ardha Matsyendra Mudra, or the Half Spinal Twist
Yoga: A Game-Changer for Men
Men too aren't missing out on the yogic benefits. A study headed by Dr. Vikas Dhikav, a neurologist at the Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India, probed into the impact of a 12-week yoga program on the sexual satisfaction of men[2]. After the study period, participants reported a significant improvement in their male sexual satisfaction as evaluated by the Male Sexual Quotient[2]. The researchers found improvements across all categories pertaining to male sexual health - desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance, confidence, partner synchronization, erection, ejaculatory control, and orgasm[2].
How Yoga Ignites the Fire Down Under
But exactly how does yoga spark up our bedroom lives? A review of existing literature led by researchers at the University of British Columbia, Canada, brings some light to the subject[3].
The study explains that yoga regulates attention and breathing, quells anxiety and stress, and influences the metabolic processes that induce relaxation. All these effects are linked to improved sexual response, suggesting that yoga could also be a positive player in sexual health[3].
There are also psychological aspects at play. Women practicing yoga have been found to be less likely to objectify their bodies and more aware of their physical selves. This heightened awareness could translate into increased sexual responsibility and desires[3].
The Power of the Moola Bandha
While fairy tales of unblocking energy in root chakras and moving kundalini energy may lack scientific evidence, other yogic concepts might resonate with the critical thinkers among us. Moola bandha is one such concept.
Moola bandha is the contraction of the perineal area that stimulates the nervous system in the pelvic region and triggers parasympathetic activity in the body. Researchers have suggested that Moola bandha might relieve menstrual pain, childbirth pain, sexual difficulties in women, premature ejaculation, and control testosterone secretion in men[3].
In essence, Moola bandha is similar to modern, medically recommended Kegel exercises, thought to prevent urinary incontinence and improve sexual well-being[3]. Many sex therapy centers even recommend this yoga practice to aid women in becoming more aware of their sensations of arousal in the genital area, thereby enhancing their sexual experiences.
Another yoga pose strengthening the pelvic floor muscles is Bhekasana, or the Frog Pose. Besides boosting sexual experiences, this pose might alleviate symptoms of Vestibulodynia, the pain in the vestibule of the vagina, and Vaginismus, the involuntary contraction of vaginal muscles[3].
How Dependable is the Evidence?
Although the tantalizing prospect of sexual benefits from yoga might excite folks, it's essential to keep in mind the vast gap between the experimental and anecdotal evidence available. With the internet brimming over with anecdotes, the empirical studies investigating the effects of yoga on sexual function remain sparse[4][5].
Of the studies mentioned above – which found enhanced sexual satisfaction and function for both men and women[2][5] – most have a relatively small sample size without a control group[4]. More recent studies focusing on women with sexual dysfunction alongside other health issues have delivered more robust evidence[6].
For instance, a randomized controlled trial focused on women suffering from metabolic syndrome found that, after 12 weeks of yoga, there was a "significant improvement" in arousal and lubrication for the participants. Such improvements were not observed in the non-yoga group[6].
Another randomized trial concentrated on women with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and revealed that the women participating in 3 months of yoga training showed enhancement in physical abilities and sexual function. In contrast, the control group exhibited worsened symptoms[7].
So, while we eagerly await further scientific evidence to substantiate the claims of "yogasms" and other sexual perks of yoga, it might be prudent to give it a whirl ourselves and let our pelvic muscles reap the benefits.
- The study in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, focusing on women aged 45 and above, found that yoga enhanced sexual function, as indicated by improvements across all sections of the Female Sexual Function Index.
- Despite the limited empirical studies, a randomized controlled trial focused on women with metabolic syndrome demonstrated a significant improvement in arousal and lubrication for participants after 12 weeks of yoga, compared to the non-yoga group.
- Furthermore, another randomized trial targeting women with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) showed that 3 months of yoga training led to enhanced physical abilities and sexual function, while the control group displayed worsened symptoms.
- Moola bandha, the contraction of the perineal area, might relieve menstrual pain, childbirth pain, sexual difficulties in women, premature ejaculation, and control testosterone secretion in men, similar to Kegel exercises recommended for sexual well-being.
- In addition to Moola bandha, Bhekasana, or the Frog Pose, strengthens pelvic floor muscles and may alleviate symptoms of Vestibulodynia and Vaginismus.
- While rigorous scientific evidence for the wide-ranging sexual benefits of yoga remains scarce, it may still be beneficial to practice yoga and observe the potential positive effects on our sexual health and pelvic muscles.
