Enhancing Sexual Performance Through Yoga: Exploring Its Positive Influence
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Tired of subpar performances in the bedroom? Wellness bloggers and personal accounts sing the praises of yoga for boosting sex lives. But does the science back it up? Let's dive in.
Yoga has gained traction for its diverse health benefits, ranging from easing stress and anxiety to improving metabolic syndrome and thyroid issues. But can it rev up your love life? Let's explore.
Recent studies have revealed intriguing insights into how yoga operates. It lowers the body's inflammatory response, inhibits stress-promoting genetic expression, and reduces cortisol levels. Simultaneously, it heightens production of a protein that aids brain growth and supercharges brain health[1]. And let's not forget the famous "coregasm" during yoga - a mythical orgasmic sensation reported by some practitioners[1].
But can yoga unlock our sexual potential? Let's unravel the evidence.
Yoga's libido-enhancing effects on women
One often-cited study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine analyzed the impacts of a 12-week yoga regimen on sexual function in 40 women aged 45 and over. Results were astounding: after the 12-week period, the women experienced significant improvements across all sections of the Female Sexual Function Index, including desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain[2]. A whopping 75 percent of the women reported improvements in their sex lives after yoga training!
The routine included 22 poses, aimed at improving core muscles, digestion, pelvic floor strength, and mood. A few examples of these yogasanas include trikonasana (the triangle pose), bhujangasana (the snake), and ardha matsyendra mudra (half spinal twist)[2].
Men, too, stand to benefit from yoga
Guys, listen up! Yoga doesn't discriminate. A similar 12-week study led by neurologist Dr. Vikas Dhikav focused on the sexual satisfaction of men. By the end, participants reported significant improvement in their sexual function, as assessed by the standard Male Sexual Quotient[3].
Improvements were found in all aspects of male sexual satisfaction: desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance, confidence, partner synchronization, erection, ejaculatory control, and orgasm[3].
What's more, a comparative study conducted by the same team discovered that yoga is a viable, non-pharmacological alternative to fluoxetine (Prozac) for treating premature ejaculation[3].
Yoga’s sexy secrets
So how does yoga gear up your sex drive? A review of existing literature led by researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) sheds light on some sexy mechanisms behind the practice[2].
Dr. Lori Brotto, UBC professor and first author of the review, explains that yoga fine-tunes attention, regulates breathing, and lowers anxiety and stress - all processes associated with improved sexual response[2].
Furthermore, psychology plays a crucial role. Female yoga practitioners are found to be less likely to objectify their bodies and more self-aware. This heightened bodily awareness, research suggests, might lead to greater sexual responsibility and assertiveness[2].
The (moola) bandha secret weapon
The idea of releasing blocked energy in root chakras might sound like pseudoscience, but other yogic concepts carry weight. One example is Moola bandha, a perineal contraction that stimulates the sensory-motor and autonomic nervous system in the pelvic area[2].
Research indicates that moola bandha could help manage period pain, childbirth pain, and sexual difficulties in women, as well as treat premature ejaculation and regulate testosterone secretion in men[2].
The "kegel of yoga," so to speak, promotes parasympathetic activity in the body, affecting the gonads and perineal body/cervix. It may even help prevent urinary incontinence and enhance sexual stamina[2].
In fact, many sex therapy centers suggest moola bandha to help women develop greater awareness of genital arousal, enhancing sexual desire and experiences. Another helpful yogic pose in this regard is Bhekasana, or the "frog pose."
This pose strengthens pelvic floor muscles, potentially easing symptoms of vestibulodynia and vaginismus, conditions causing pain in the vestibule of the vagina and involuntary vaginal contractions, respectively[2].
Evidence and credibility - a work in progress
While the potential sexual benefits of yoga may pique our curiosity, it's essential to keep in mind that the empirical evidence base is still building[3]. The internet buzzes with anecdotal evidence, but studies truly examining the impacts of yoga on sexual function remain limited.
However, recent studies focusing on women suffering from sexual dysfunction along with additional conditions have provided more robust evidence. For example, a 12-week yoga program yielded significant improvements in arousal and lubrication for women with metabolic syndrome[4].
In another study involving women with multiple sclerosis, the participants undertook 3 months of yoga training. By the end, the yoga group displayed improved physical abilities and sexual function, while the control group showed worsening symptoms[5].
As the research landscape continues to grow, perhaps we'll uncover even more reasons to fold, twist, and breathe our way to a more passionate bedtime routine. At the very least, our pelvic muscles might thank us!
- Yoga, with its promise of enhancing sex lives, has gained popularity among wellness bloggers and individuals alike, but the scientific evidence supporting this claim warrants exploration.
- A study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that a 12-week yoga regimen improved sexual function in women aged 45 and over, with 75% reporting improvements in their sex lives.
- Moola bandha, a perineal contraction used in yoga, has shown potential in managing period pain, childbirth pain, sexual difficulties, and even regulating testosterone secretion in men, according to a review of existing literature led by researchers at the University of British Columbia.
- Despite the limited empirical evidence, recent studies focusing on women with sexual dysfunction along with additional conditions, such as metabolic syndrome or multiple sclerosis, have provided stronger evidence for the potential benefits of yoga on sexual function.
