Yoga may offer potential benefits, including improved mental health, self-esteem, and blood circulation. Some people may find that these effects benefit sexual health and function.

Yoga is an exercise and spiritual discipline originating in India thousands of years ago. Many people practice yoga for its potential benefits.

Some research suggests that these benefits may extend to sexual health and function. However, more research is necessary to understand yoga’s therapeutic potential, specifically for sexual health.

A note about sex and gender

Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.

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Yoga may provideTrusted Source various benefits, such as improving mental health and helping people manage their weight. Some individuals may find that these benefits extend to sexual health and function.

Below are some potential ways yoga may affect a person’s sex life.

Improving mindfulness and mental health

Yoga may help people become more mindful, present, and aware.

A 2018 article suggests mindfulness, or attending to the present moment without judgment, may lead to a range of positive sexual outcomes. These outcomes include sexual satisfaction in individuals and their partners.

According to a 2020 clinical trialTrusted Source, yoga and mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety. Stress and anxiety can have numerous effects on the body, including decreased libido and sexual satisfaction.

Moreover, a 2019 study investigated sexual mindfulness through an online survey of 194 married, heterosexual people in the United States.

The study authors suggest that sexual mindfulness has links to improved sexual well-being and increased satisfaction with a person’s sex life and relationships.

Managing premature ejaculation

A 2024 reviewTrusted Source of 10 studies concludes that yoga may be an effective and safe way for people to manage premature ejaculation. Potential reasons for this may include improvements in the following:

  • pelvic and perineal muscle strength
  • blood circulation
  • penile muscle contractions
  • sexual stamina
  • arousal control

Yoga may also help people manage stress, anxiety, and depression, all of which may contribute to premature ejaculation.

However, the review authors highlight the need for more research into yoga’s benefits for premature ejaculation and male sexual dysfunction.

Improving sexual function

The 2024 reviewTrusted Source also suggests that yoga may help people manage erectile dysfunction, although more research is necessary.

Another 2024 review of 10 studies involving 730 adults linked yoga with a small improvement in sexual function. However, the review authors highlight a risk of bias and low quality evidence.

The authors conclude that further research is necessary to understand the extent of yoga’s potential benefits for sexual function.

Addressing other health conditions

Yoga may offerTrusted Source benefits for pain-related health conditions, such as:

A 2023 studyTrusted Source suggests that people with chronic pain may experience sexual dysfunction, including low sexual satisfaction and a lack of interest in sex. Improving pain-related health conditions may, in turn, improve a person’s sexual function.

Boosting self-esteem

In a 2023 studyTrusted Source of 18 adults, participants stated that yoga led to improvements in the perception of body image, physical self-esteem, and self-pride.

A 2024 studyTrusted Source of 592 married females in Iran suggests a direct and significant link between self-esteem and sexual function. The authors suggest that people with higher self-esteem may experience lower rates of fear or anxiety during sex.

However, it is worth noting that no research examines a specific link between yoga, self-esteem, and sexual function.

Tantric sex focuses on enlightenment. People aim to connect with their energy, including sexual energy, to reach physical and spiritual awareness.

This may lead to a better understanding of themselves and their desires, allowing them to meet their own needs better. Tantric sex may also aim to deepen the bond between partners.

Read more about tantric sex.

Yoga may offer potential benefits to health and well-being, including improved mental health, muscle strengthening, and better blood circulation.

These benefits may extend to a person’s sexual health and functioning. For example, some research suggests that yoga may have a positive effect on premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction.

However, more research is necessary to explore the potential link between yoga and sexual health and function, particularly the extent of any possible benefits.