In 2019, a small pilot study demonstrated how, after 12 weeks of yoga classes, significant improvements in sexual function were noted in men aged 24 to 60 years.
The widespread opinion that yoga improves the quality of sexual intercourse in both men and women has not been supported by scientific data until recently. The proven benefits of yoga classes for reducing stress, blood pressure, cholesterol in the blood, weight control, and some forms of diabetes, as well as improving sleep are perceived as a property leading to an overall improvement in the quality of life.
A 2020 Korean study focused on the effect of yoga on sexual function in women. Scientists selected 41 women aged 30 to 60 years with a clinical diagnosis of “metabolic syndrome “. This syndrome includes unhealthy elevated levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, sugar, and blood pressure — a combination of risk factors predisposing to the development of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. As the metabolic syndrome worsens, the sexual functions of the body are also disrupted – libido decreases, and hormonal and metabolic changes occur.
During the study, 20 women in the group practiced yoga for 12 weeks, the remaining 21 did not. The exercises included standard yoga asana poses such as Utanasana, Trikonasana and Shavasana.
At the end of the 12th week, women who practiced yoga showed improvements in all indicators compared to the control group who did not participate in yoga classes. Significant reductions in cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar and blood pressure were expected and achieved results. Unexpected were – an increase in libido, sexual arousal, improvement of vaginal lubrication and an increase in pleasure from sexual contacts in 19 out of 20 participants.
Although there were too few participants in the study to be statistically definitive, this is just one of many evidence-based studies reporting these and other benefits of yoga practice around the world.
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