Yoga in male sexual functioning: a noncompararive pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Yoga is practiced both in developing and developed countries. Many patients and yoga protagonists claim that it is useful in improving sexual functions and treating sexual disorders. AIM: We wanted to study the effect of yoga on male sexual functioning. METHODS: We studied 65 males (age range= 24-60 years, average age=40±8.26 years) who were enrolled in a yoga camp and administered a known questionnaire, i.e., Male Sexual Quotient (MSQ) before and after 12 weeks session of yoga. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: MSQ scores before and after yoga sessions. RESULTS: It was found that after the completion of yoga sessions, the sexual functions scores were significantly improved (P<0.0001). The improvement occurred in scores of all the domains of sexual functions as studied by MSQ (desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance, confidence, partner synchronization, erection, ejaculatory control, orgasm). CONCLUSIONS: Yoga appears to be an effective method of improving all domains of sexual functions in men as studied by MSQ.

Yoga in female sexual functions.

INTRODUCTION: Yoga is a popular form of complementary and alternative therapy. It is practiced both in developing and developed countries. Female sexual dysfunctions are common and do not always get adequate clinical attention. Pharmacotherapies for treating female sexual dysfunctions are available but suffer from drawbacks such as poor compliance, low efficacy, and side effects. Many patients and yoga protagonists claim that it is useful in improving sexual functions and treating sexual disorders. AIM: To establish the effect yoga can have on female sexual functions. METHODS: We recruited 40 females (age range 22-55 years, average age 34.7 +/- 8.49 years) who were enrolled in a yoga camp and were given a standardized questionnaire named Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) before and after the 12 weeks session of yoga. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: FSFI scores. RESULTS: It was found that after the completion of yoga sessions; the sexual functions scores were significantly improved (P < 0.0001). The improvement occurred in all six domains of FSFI (i.e., desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain). The improvement was more in older women (age > 45 years) compared with younger women (age < 45 years). CONCLUSIONS: Yoga appears to be an effective method of improving all domains of sexual functions in women as studied by FSFI.