Enhanced sexual function through the practice of yoga: Insights into its advantages
Chill Icebreaker Article:
Hey there, buddy! There's a whole world of wellness blogs out there touting yoga for a better bangin' life, you know? But do these promises stack up in real life? We're here to take a peek!
Nowadays, scientific studies are finally uncovering all the phenomenal health advantages of that ancient activity we call yoga. From alleviating depression and lessening stress to assisting in tackling metabolic syndrome and diabetes—this thing is no joke!
Modern research has also dived into the nuts and bolts of why yoga packs such a powerful punch. It appears that yoga lowers the body's inflammatory response, counters gene expression that leaves people stressed, and decreases cortisol while ramping up a protein promoting brain growth and youthfulness.
And, of course, hey—it just feels freakin' great! What with the stories about coregasm during yoga, it might just feel really, really amazing.
Getting in touch with your bod can feel rejuvenating, healing, and darn enjoyable. But the big question is: Does yoga genuinely improve our having-it-off? Let's see!
Yoga Flips the Switch for Sexual Performance in Women
One particularly popular study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that yoga can, indeed, enhance sexual performance—especially in women over 45.
This study looked at the aftermath of a 12-week yoga session involving 40 women who reported on their sexual prowess before and after the workshops. Following the yoga marathon, the ladies' performances improved across the board, scoring well in desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain.
As many as three-quarters of the women boasted an improved sex life after their yoga training.
The young ladies put their minds and bodies through a few key poses, or yogasanas, that target core abdominal muscles, pelvic floor strength, and mood enhancement. A few of the poses included trikonasana (the triangle), bhujangasana (the snake), and ardha matsyendra mudra (half spinal twist). You can check out the full list right here!
Sup with Yoga for Men's Sexual Satisfaction?
Yoga hasn't left men in the lurch, either. A similar study led by Dr. Vikas Dhikav, a neurologist at the Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi, India, examined the sexual satisfaction effects of a 12-week yoga program on men.
By the study's culmination, the fellas reported a marked enhancement in their intimate lives, as evaluated by the standard Male Sexual Quotient. The researchers spotted improvements in all areas of male sexual satisfaction: "desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance, confidence, partner synchronization, erection, ejaculatory control, and orgasm."
What's more, a comparative trial conducted by the same research team found that yoga is a non-pharmaceutical option for treating premature ejaculation. It peddled a mix of easier scenarios (such as Kapalbhati, which involves seated meditation, back straight, chest open, eyes closed, hands on knees, and abdominal muscle contractions) and more complicated ones (like dhanurasana, the "bow pose").
Yoga's Secret Sauce for Better Sex
But how, exactly, does yoga up the game in the bedroom? A literature review helmed by scientists at the University of British Columbia's Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology helps us understand some of the root factors.
In the words of the review's first author, Dr. Lori Brotto, yoga regulates attention and breathing, lowers anxiety and stress, and kicks off processes essential for unwinding the body.
"All of these effects are correlated with improved sexual response," write the reviewers, making it "reasonable to infer that yoga may be linked to enhancements in sexual health."
There are also psychological principles involved. "Female yoga devotees appear less likely to objectify their bodies," explain Dr. Brotto and colleagues, "and are more cognizant of their physical sensations."
"This increased awareness, in turn, might be linked to heightened sexual responsibility and assertiveness, potentially stoking sexual desires."
The Moola Bandha – Sex Magic?
While tales of releasing blocked energy in root chakras and spineshake magic Li'l Nicky every time may lack rigorous scientific evidence, other yogic concepts might sit better with skeptics. Moola Bandha is one such concept.
"Moola Bandha is a perineal contraction that interacts with the sensory-motor and autonomic nervous system in the pelvic region, thereby spurring relaxation," write Dr. Brotto and her associates in their review.
"Specifically, moola bandha directly stimulates the gonads and perineal body/cervix." The video below offers a practice aimed at honing pelvic floor muscles.
Various studies quoted by the researchers have suggested that practicing moola bandha alleviates period and childbirth pain in women, as well as tackles premature ejaculation and manages testosterone secretion in men.
Moola Bandha is similar to the modern, medically-recommended Kegels, believed to thwart urinary incontinence and help people—both genders—enjoy sex longer.
Many sexual health therapy centers recommend this yoga practice to help women develop a deeper connection to their sensations of desire in the generative area, thereby improving intimacy and experience.
"Moola Bandha stretches the muscles of the pelvic floor, [...] reinvigorating and balancing the area through techniques that encourage awareness and circulation," explain Dr. Brotto and her associates, citing other researchers' work.
Another yoga pose focusing on pelvic floor muscles is bhekasana, the "frog pose." Besides enhancing bedroom action, this pose may ease symptoms of vaginismus—involuntary contractions of the vaginal muscles—and vestibulodynia—pain in the vestibule of the vagina.
How Trustworthy Is the Evidence?
While it's tempting to get, well, aroused at the thought of yoga's possible sexual benefits, it's worth keeping in mind the massive variance between the quantities of anecdotal and experimental evidence.
The Internet abounds with speculative stories, but the trials genuinely examining the benefits of yoga for sexual performance remain scarce. Many of the studies mentioned above containing noticeable enhancements in sexual satisfaction and function for both men and women boasted quite small sample sizes and didn't feature control groups.
However, recent studies examining women struggling with sexual dysfunction in conjunction with other conditions have generated stronger evidence.
For instance, a randomized controlled trial looked at the results of a 12-week yoga program for women with metabolic syndrome. These women, who have an elevated risk of sexual dysfunction, saw "significant improvement" in arousal and lubrication.
Improvements were also noticed in blood pressure, prompting the researchers to conclude that "yoga may be an effective treatment for sexual dysfunction in women with metabolic syndrome as well as for metabolic risk factors."
Another randomized trial focused on women diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The participants underwent a 3-month yoga training regimen, consisting of weekly sessions. Remarkably, women participating in yoga demonstrated "improvement in physical ability" and sexual performance, while women in the control group suffered worsened symptoms.
"However, more research is needed to fully determine the extent of yoga's influence on our sex lives. For the time being, we can only try it out to see if those rumored "yogasms" are more than fairy tales. But our pelvic muscles will surely appreciate it!"
- Yoga's positive impact on sexual health is supported by scientific research, as a study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine demonstrated that a 12-week yoga program improved the sexual performance of women over 45.
- Yoga's benefits for men's sexual satisfaction are also noticed, as revealed in a study led by Dr. Vikas Dhikav, which showed improvements in all areas of male sexual satisfaction following a 12-week yoga program.
- Moola Bandha, a yogic concept, might be a more accepted explanation for yoga's effect on sexual health. Moola Bandha, a perineal contraction, interacts with the nervous system in the pelvic region and is believed to enhance sexual satisfaction and improve intimacy for both men and women.
