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

Abstract

Background

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.

Methods

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.

Results

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 < 0.00001), healthy individuals (−0.38; −0.59 to −0.16, p = 0.0006), or middle-aged individuals (−0.44; −0.63 to −0.25, p < 00001) significantly improved sexual function compared with control groups.

Conclusion

Yoga was associated with a small improvement in sexual function compared with nonintervention control groups in adults. However, high-quality, larger RCTs are required to draw more definitive conclusions.