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Sheryl Kingsberg, PhD

Professor Reproductive Biology and Psychiatry

Case Western Reserve University

Chief of Division of Behavioral Medicine

MacDonald Women's Hospital/University Hospitals

Cleveland Medical Center

Dr. Sheryl Kingsberg is the chief of the division of behavioral medicine at MacDonald Women's Hospital/University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Professor in Reproductive Biology and Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University. Her areas of clinical specialization include sexual medicine, female sexual disorders, menopause, pregnancy and postpartum mood disorders, and psychological aspects of infertility.

Dr. Kingsberg's primary research interests are in treatments for female sexual disorders and genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). She has been the principal investigator for several clinical trials for treatments for female sexual disorders and consults for many pharmaceutical companies that are developing investigational drug treatments for sexual problems. She is an Associate Editor for Sexual Medicine Reviews and sits on the editorial boards of the journal Menopause and Climacteric.

Dr. Kingsberg is the Immediate Past President of The North American Menopause Society, and is a past president of The International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health.

Full Bio
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Yoga and Sex

Ask the Expert

Q:

I've heard that yoga can improve sex. Is this true?

A:

Yoga is an ancient form of movement with its roots in India and other Asian countries. It is also very popular here in the United States, not only as a form of exercise, but as a way to relax and relieve stress. It makes sense that anything that relieves stress might also improve desire and sex. A study was recently published that specifically focuses on yoga's impact on sexual function.

In that one study, 40 women ages 22 to 55 enrolled in a yoga camp for 12 weeks. Researchers tested components of their sexual function including desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, sexual satisfaction, and pain before the camp began and after. Overall, they found the women experienced a nearly 20 percent improvement in all areas. Most of the women said they were more satisfied in their sex life after the yoga camp, with women 46 and older demonstrating the greatest improvements in all aspects of their sexual life.

Bottom line? Yoga has shown numerous benefits for mental and physical health. Now there's at least some preliminary evidence that it may also benefit your sexual health. My advice? Go for it!

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