Does yoga improve sexual function? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Yoga practice can increase blood flow in the genital area, increase muscular strength, and improve body perception, which is related to sexual function. This study aimed to summarize the available evidence about the effects of yoga on sexual function in adults. Systematic searches of five databases...

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Published in:Complementary therapies in clinical practice 2024-08, Vol.56, p.101864, Article 101864
Main Authors: Rodrigues, Ariane Maria de Brito Pinheiro, Neto, Octavio Barbosa, Seguro, Camila Simões, da Silva, Wellington Fernando, Gonzalez, Ricardo Hugo, Santos, Douglas de Assis Teles, de Lira, Claudio Andre Barbosa, Viana, Ricardo Borges
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Complementary therapies
Female
Humans
Male
Meta-analysis
Middle Aged
Physical exercise
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Sexual Behavior
Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological - therapy
Sexual function
Yoga
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Summary:Yoga practice can increase blood flow in the genital area, increase muscular strength, and improve body perception, which is related to sexual function. This study aimed to summarize the available evidence about the effects of yoga on sexual function in adults. Systematic searches of five databases were conducted from inception to April 28, with the last update on September 28, 2023. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that compared yoga with nonintervention control groups on sexual function in adults. Risk of bias and certainty of evidence were assessed by the Cochrane risk of bias tool 2, and the GRADE approach, respectively. Summary effect size measures were calculated using a random-effects model estimation and are reported as standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals. Reporting followed the PRISMA guidelines. Ten RCTs that comprised 730 adults (range mean age, 26.64–68.2 years; 680 [93.2 %] women) were included. For the primary outcome, yoga intervention was associated with a significant small improvement in sexual function (−0.31; −0.47 to −0.15, p = 0.0002), with some concerns about risk of bias in nine RCTs (90%) and low-certainty evidence. Subgroup analyses revealed that yoga interventions performed by women (−0.36; −0.52 to −0.21, p 
ISSN:1744-3881
1873-6947
1873-6947
DOI:10.1016/j.ctcp.2024.101864