Many women swear by Pilates and claim that their sex lives improve drastically as a result of practicing the exercise. Unfortunately, like many other issues regarding women's health, little scientific research has been devoted to testing the correlation between Pilates and libido.
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However, a study recently conducted by urologists from Turkey - which examined women who suffer from low sex drive, difficulty reaching an orgasm and pain during sex - found that practicing Pilates twice a week evidently helps women overcome these sexual struggles.
More specifically, Pilates, which targets pelvic floor muscles, causes increased blood flow and circulation to the region, which causes increased sensitivity and arousal.
The study tested a sample of 36 women between the ages of 20 to 50, who were having regular sex with a consistent partner, a regular menstruation cycle, and claimed to be suffering from symptoms of sexual dysfunction for six months or more. These women were asked to participate in a one-hour Pilates class twice a week for three months, and avoid any other physical activity for the duration of the study.
The participants filled out surveys before and after the experiment, which asked them questions regarding satisfaction with their sex lives. The findings, published in the Journal of Andrology, show that each subject's sex life drastically improved after only three months.
The researchers revealed that the women suffering from pain during intercourse saw a decrease of 116% in their symptoms, women experiencing low libido saw a 136% increase in sex drive and women with difficulties reaching an orgasm reported an increase of 140% in their ability to climax.