Yoga in female sexual functions.
BACKGROUND
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.


OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
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.
Dhikav
Vikas
V
Department of Neurology, GGS-IP University Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, Rohini, 110085, India. vikasdhikav@hotmail.com
Karmarkar
Girish
G
Gupta
Richa
R
Verma
Myank
M
Gupta
Ruchi
R
Gupta
Supriya
S
Anand
Kuljeet S
KS
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009948:Orgasm; D059408:Pain Management; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000628:therapy*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*; D019529:Sexuality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016387:Women's Health; D015013:Yoga; D055815:Young Adult