1. Yoga in Sexual Dysfunctions
Pinki Mishra1, Vikas Dhikav2, Kuljeet Singh Anand2 1Centre for Translational and Clinical Research, Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi, INDIA 2Department of Neurology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research
& Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, INDIA
introduction
Yoga is a popular form of complementary and alternative treatment. It is practiced both in developing and developed countries. Use of yoga for various bodily ailments is recommended in ancient ayurvedic (ayus=life, veda=knowledge) texts and is being increasingly investigated scientifically. Many patients and yoga protagonists claim that it is useful in sexual disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the effect of yoga on sexual dysfuctions.
Figure-1 CONSORT flow diagram
Methods and materials
We were interested in knowing if it works for patients with sexual dysfunctions e.g. premature ejaculation (PE), female sexual dysfunction (FSD) or improving male sexual functions. Randomized Clinical Trials in this area were searched using the key terms, “Yoga & Sexual functions”, “Yoga & Sexual dysfunctions”, “Yoga & metabolic syndrome and sexual functions”. Search engines were searched and published articles were retrieved. Articles of English language were selected. Published reviews and opinions were excluded from the present selection.
Figure-2 Various yoga postures employed during the study (figures run from A to K from top left).
Results
We found 4 published studies involving 214 subjects (mean age years), 2 randomized clinical trials, and 2 uncontrolled trials meeting selection criteria.
Table-1 Randomised controlled trials of yoga for sexual dysfunctions
Study
Demographic details
Inclusion
Intervention (Yoga)
Main outcome measure
Results
Dhikav et al., 20071
Men (n=68); case control study (cases=38, controls=30)
Men with premature ejaculation (PE); 12 week study
Various yogasanas
Intravaginal ejaculatory latencies in yoga group and fluoxetine control groups.
Yoga is safe, effective and acceptable non-pharmacological option for PE
Dhikav et al., 20102
Women (n=40)
“Apparently healthy women”; 12 week study
Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) 
Sexual functions scores were significantly improved (P < ). 
Dhikav et al., 20103
Men (n=65)
Men ranging years, average age=40±8.26 years; 12 week study
Male Sexual Quotient (MSQ)
Yoga is an effective method of improving all domains of sexual functions in men as studied by MSQ.
Kim HN et al.,
Women (n=41); (cases=20, controls=21)
Women with metabolic syndrome  (age years); 12 week study
Female Sexual Function Index.
 Yoga may be an effective treatment for sexual dysfunction in women with metabolic syndrome
Conclusion
Yoga appears to be a feasible, safe, effective and acceptable non-pharmacological option for sexual dysfunctions in all 4 studies.
References
Dhikav V, Karmarkar G, Gupta M, Anand KS. Yoga in premature ejaculation: a comparative trial with fluoxetine. J Sex Med Nov;4(6): Epub 2007 Sep 21.
Dhikav V, Karmarkar G, Gupta R, Verma M, Gupta R, Gupta S, Anand KS. Yoga in female sexual functions. J Sex Med Feb;7(2 Pt 2): doi: /j x. Epub 2009 Nov 12.
Dhikav V, Karmarkar G, Verma M, Gupta R, Gupta S, Mittal D, Anand K. Yoga in male sexual functioning: a noncompararive pilot study. J Sex Med Oct;7(10): doi: /j x.
Kim HN1, Ryu J, Kim KS, Song SW. Effects of yoga on sexual function in women with metabolic syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. J Sex Med. 2013 Nov;10(11): doi: /jsm Epub 2013 Jul 30.