The Effects of Exercise on Sexual Function in Women.

BACKGROUND Acute exercise is associated with transient changes in metabolic rate, muscle activation, and blood flow, whereas chronic exercise facilitates long-lasting adaptations that ultimately improve physical performance. Exercise in general is known to improve both physical and psychological health, but the differential effects of brief bouts of exercise vs long-term exercise regimens on sexual function are less clear. AIM The purpose of this review was to assess the direct and indirect effects of both acute and chronic exercise on multiple domains of sexual function in women. METHODS A literature review of published studies on exercise and sexual function was conducted. Terms including "acute exercise," "chronic exercise," "sexual function," "sexual arousal," "sexual desire," "lubrication," "sexual pain," and "sexual satisfaction" were used. OUTCOMES This review identifies key relationships between form of exercise (ie, chronic or acute) and domain of sexual function. RESULTS Improvements in physiological sexual arousal following acute exercise appear to be driven by increases in sympathetic nervous system activity and endocrine factors. Chronic exercise likely enhances sexual satisfaction indirectly by preserving autonomic flexibility, which benefits cardiovascular health and mood. Positive body image due to chronic exercise also increases sexual well-being. Though few studies have examined the efficacy of month-long exercise programs for the treatment of sexual dysfunction, exercise interventions have alleviated sexual concerns in 2 specific clinical populations: women with anti-depressant-induced sexual dysfunction and women who have undergone hysterectomies. CONCLUSIONS This review highlights the positive effects of acute and chronic exercise on sexual function in women. Directions for future research are discussed, and clinicians are encouraged to tailor specific exercise prescriptions to meet their patients' individual needs. Stanton AM, Handy AB, Meston CM. The Effects of Exercise on Sexual Function in Women. Sex Med Rev 2018;6:548-557.

• Publication year

  2018

• Venue

  Sexual Medicine Reviews

• Publication date

  2018-10-01

• Fields of study

  Medicine

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.1016/j.sxmr.2018.02.004PMID 29606554
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar, PubMed

• No claims are published for this paper.

• No concepts are published for this paper.

• Opinion Paper: On the Diagnosis/Classification of Sexual Arousal Concerns in Women.

  2017cited by this paper
• General Adaptations to Exercise: Acute Versus Chronic and Strength Versus Endurance Training

  2016cited by this paper
• Neuromuscular Adaptations After 2 and 4 Weeks of 80% Versus 30% 1 Repetition Maximum Resistance Training to Failure

  2016cited by this paper
• Menstrual cycle phase effects free testosterone responses to prolonged aerobic exercise.

  2015cited by this paper
• Differential effects of intranasal oxytocin on sexual experiences and partner interactions in couples.

  2014cited by this paper
• EXERCISE IMPROVES SEXUAL FUNCTION IN WOMEN TAKING ANTIDEPRESSANTS: RESULTS FROM A RANDOMIZED CROSSOVER TRIAL

  2014cited by this paper
• High Responders and Low Responders: Factors Associated with Individual Variation in Response to Standardized Training

  2014cited by this paper
• Longitudinal Associations Among Relationship Satisfaction, Sexual Satisfaction, and Frequency of Sex in Early Marriage

  2014cited by this paper
• A review of the positive and negative effects of cardiovascular drugs on sexual function: a proposed table for use in clinical practice

  2013cited by this paper
• Physical Activity and Quality of Life

  2013cited by this paper
• The Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Estrogen Metabolism in Healthy Premenopausal Women

  2013cited by this paper
• Time Course of Neuromuscular Adaptations to Knee Extensor Eccentric Training

  2013cited by this paper
• Influences of Exercise and Training on the Circulating Concentration of Prolactin in Humans

  2012cited by this paper
• Acute Exercise Improves Physical Sexual Arousal in Women Taking Antidepressants

  2012cited by this paper
• Evidence for a curvilinear relationship between sympathetic nervous system activation and women's physiological sexual arousal.

  2012cited by this paper
• Body Image and Female Sexual Functioning and Behavior: A Review

  2012cited by this paper
• The effect of exercise in clinically depressed adults: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

  2011cited by this paper
• Nutritional modulation of training-induced skeletal muscle adaptations.

  2011cited by this paper
• American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and neuromotor fitness in apparently healthy adults: guidance for prescribing exercise.

  2011cited by this paper
• Exercise-induced orgasm and pleasure among women

  2011cited by this paper
• HIGHLIGHTED TOPIC Signals Mediating Skeletal Muscle Remodeling by Activity Nutritional modulation of training-induced skeletal muscle adaptations

  2011cited by this paper
• An Evaluation of the Relationship between Body Image and Sexual Avoidance

  2011cited by this paper
• Physical activity advice only or structured exercise training and association with HbA1c levels in type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

  2011cited by this paper
• Mental Health Benefits of Strength Training in Adults

  2010cited by this paper
• Atividade física e qualidade de vida

  2010cited by this paper
• The relationship of autonomic imbalance, heart rate variability and cardiovascular disease risk factors.

  2010cited by this paper
• The association between sexual satisfaction and body image in women.

  2010cited by this paper
• Testosterone Physiology in Resistance Exercise and Training

  2010cited by this paper
• Early-phase neuromuscular adaptations to high- and low-volume resistance training in untrained young and older women

  2010cited by this paper
• 'Talking of Sex': developing and piloting a sexual health communication tool for use in primary care.

  2010cited by this paper
• Response to Depression and Blood Pressure Control: All Antidepressants Are not the Same

  2009cited by this paper
• Treatment-Emergent Sexual Dysfunction Related to Antidepressants: A Meta-Analysis

  2009cited by this paper
• Exercise protects the cardiovascular system: effects beyond traditional risk factors

  2009cited by this paper
• Healthy hearts--and the universal benefits of being physically active: physical activity and health.

  2009cited by this paper
• The Association Between Body Esteem and Sexual Desire Among College Women

  2009cited by this paper
• Cortisol, sexual arousal, and affect in response to sexual stimuli.

  2008cited by this paper
• The roles of testosterone and alpha-amylase in exercise-induced sexual arousal in women.

  2008cited by this paper
• Psychometric Properties of the Psychotropic-Related Sexual Dysfunction Questionnaire (PRSexDQ-SALSEX) in Patients with Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders

  2008cited by this paper
• Acute changes in endocrine and fluid balance markers during high-intensity, steady-state, and prolonged endurance running: unexpected increases in oxytocin and brain natriuretic peptide during exercise.

  2008cited by this paper
• Exercise and circulating Cortisol levels: The intensity threshold effect

  2008cited by this paper
• Hysterectomy surveillance in the United States, 1997 through 2005.

  2008cited by this paper
• Sympathetic Activity in Major Depressive Disorder: Identifying Those at Increased Cardiac Risk?

  2007cited by this paper
• Trends in psychotropic medication use among U.S. adults

  2007cited by this paper
• Effect of Exercise on Reported Physical Sexual Satisfaction of University Students

  2007cited by this paper
• Burden of phase-specific sexual dysfunction with SSRIs.

  2006cited by this paper
• Stress and the neuroendocrine system: the role of exercise as a stressor and modifier of stress

  2006cited by this paper
• Female sexual dysfunction in essential hypertension: a common problem being uncovered

  2006cited by this paper
• Exercise and body image: A meta-analysis

  2006cited by this paper
• The effect of exercise on the intensity of low back pain in pregnant women

  2005cited by this paper
• Physical activity and mental health: the association between exercise and mood.

  2005cited by this paper
• Can exercise improve self esteem in children and young people? A systematic review of randomised controlled trials

  2005cited by this paper
• Physiology of female sexual function and dysfunction

  2005cited by this paper
• The endocrinology of sexual arousal.

  2005cited by this paper
• The inhibitory effects of nicotine on physiological sexual arousal in nonsmoking women: results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial.

  2005cited by this paper
• General practitioner attitudes to discussing sexual health issues with older people.

  2004cited by this paper
• Physical Fitness and the Stress Process.

  2004cited by this paper
• The Effects of Hysterectomy on Sexual Arousal in Women with a History of Benign Uterine Fibroids

  2004cited by this paper
• Exercise training for patients with heart failure: a systematic review of factors that improve mortality and morbidity.

  2004cited by this paper
• Social physique anxiety, body dissatisfaction, and self-esteem in college females of differing exercise frequency, perceived weight discrepancy, and race.

  2003cited by this paper
• Lower heart rate variability is associated with the development of coronary heart disease in individuals with diabetes: the atherosclerosis risk in communities (ARIC) study.

  2002cited by this paper
• Hysterectomy Rates in the United States 1990–1997

  2002cited by this paper
• Outcomes after total versus subtotal abdominal hysterectomy.

  2002cited by this paper
• Sexual effects of androgens in women: some theoretical considerations.

  2002cited by this paper
• Vaginal physiological changes in a model of sexual arousal in anesthetized rats.

  2001cited by this paper
• Individual differences in response to regular physical activity.

  2001cited by this paper
• Short-term sertraline treatment suppresses sympathetic nervous system activity in healthy human subjects.

  2001cited by this paper
• Regular aerobic exercise modulates age‐associated declines in cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity in healthy men

  2000cited by this paper
• Physiological models to understand exercise fatigue and the adaptations that predict or enhance athletic performance

  2000cited by this paper
• The Role of Exercise Training in the Treatment of Hypertension

  2000cited by this paper
• Neuroendocrine response to film-induced sexual arousal in men and women.

  2000cited by this paper
• Physical Activity and Mental Health

  2000cited by this paper
• Exercise Treatment for Major Depression: Maintenance of Therapeutic Benefit at 10 Months

  2000cited by this paper
• The Effect of Exercise on Body Satisfaction and Self-Esteem as a Function of Gender and Age

  2000cited by this paper
• Acute Aerobic Exercise and Affect

  1999cited by this paper
• Neuroendocrine and cardiovascular response to sexual arousal and orgasm in men.

  1998cited by this paper
• Vasculogenic female sexual dysfunction: vaginal engorgement and clitoral erectile insufficiency syndromes.

  1998cited by this paper
• Exercise and Self-Esteem in Middle-Aged Adults: Multidimensional Relationships and Physical Fitness and Self-Efficacy Influences

  1997cited by this paper
• Marital Conflict in Older Adults: Endocrinological and Immunological Correlates

  1997cited by this paper
• Bladder, bowel and sexual function after hysterectomy for benign conditions

  1997cited by this paper
• Inhibition of Subjective and Physiological Sexual Arousal in Women by Clonidine

  1997cited by this paper
• Effects of Aerobic Exercise on the Social Physique Anxiety and Body Esteem of Female College Students

  1996cited by this paper
• The effects of immediate, delayed, and residual sympathetic activation on sexual arousal in women.

  1996cited by this paper
• Acute Hormonal Responses to Heavy Resistance Exercise in Men and Women at Different Ages

  1995cited by this paper
• The effects of sympathetic activation on physiological and subjective sexual arousal in women.

  1995cited by this paper
• Skeletal muscle adaptations during early phase of heavy-resistance training in men and women.

  1994cited by this paper
• Sex steroids, sexual behavior, and selection attention for erotic stimuli in women using oral contraceptives.

  1993cited by this paper
• Exercise training: significance of regional alterations in serotonin metabolism of rat brain in relation to antidepressant effect of exercise.

  1992cited by this paper
• Effects of clonidine on anesthetic drug requirements and hemodynamic response during aortic surgery.

  1989cited by this paper
• Causes of sexual dysfunction: the role of anxiety and cognitive interference.

  1986cited by this paper
• Exercise physiology: Human bioenergetics and its applications

  1984cited by this paper
• Sympathetic nervous activity during exercise.

  1983cited by this paper
• Acute effects of exercise on plasma concentrations of prolactin and testosterone in recreational women runners.

  1981cited by this paper
• Hormones and sexuality: effect of estrogen and progestogen.

  1980cited by this paper
• Plasma noradrenaline and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase during human sexual activity.

  1979cited by this paper
• Effects of exercise on the serum concentrations of FSH, LH, progesterone, and estradiol

  1979cited by this paper
• Sexual Response Following Hysterectomy and Oophorectomy

  1977cited by this paper
• A vaginal plethysmograph system.

  1975cited by this paper
• The recording of physiological evidence of genital arousal in human males and females

  1971cited by this paper
• HUMAN SEXUAL INADEQUACY

  1971cited by this paper
• Blood pressure and respiratory patterns during human coitus.

  1969cited by this paper

• Acute and Delayed Effects of Sexual Activity on Athletic Performance: A Scoping Review Across Sex, Age, and Ethnicity.

  2026cites this paper
• Sensory Issues and Fatigue Are Key Factors Contributing to Sexual Dysfunction in Women With Multiple Sclerosis

  2026cites this paper
• Association of Problematic Pornography Consumption and Motivation in Iranian Women's Sexual Compatibility in 2022 - 2023

  2025cites this paper
• Menopause as a biological and psychological transition

  2025cites this paper
• Impact of sexual activity on bulbocavernosus muscle stiffness assessed by shear wave elastography in women

  2025cites this paper
• Addressing Sexual Dysfunction in Indian Cancer Survivors: Unmet Needs and Role of Physical Therapy

  2025cites this paper
• A theoretical model for sexual performance anxiety (SPA) and a clinical approach for its remediation (SPA-R).

  2025cites this paper
• Impact of exercise on sexual health, body image, and therapy‐related symptoms in women with metastatic breast cancer: The randomized controlled PREFERABLE‐EFFECT trial

  2025cites this paper
• Clinical review of how glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist obesity medications decrease sexual desire, and a biopsychosocial model for why we don’t ‘see’ it

  2025cites this paper
• A healthy lifestyle can support future sexual satisfaction: results from a 9-year longitudinal survey.

  2024cites this paper
• Sexuality in Older Adults: Comprehensive Strategies for Clinicians and Patient-Centered Care

  2024cites this paper
• Sexual function, health functionality, and quality of life in females with pulmonary arterial hypertension: a cross-sectional study.

  2024cites this paper
• Does yoga improve sexual function? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

  2024cites this paper
• Promoting sexual well-being

  2024cites this paper
• Effect of an 8-Week Tailored Physiotherapy Program on Sexual Health in Women with Scleroderma and Myositis: A Controlled Pilot Study

  2023cites this paper
• A Systematic Review on the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Sexual Function in Adults

  2023cites this paper
• Sexual Disability in Low Back Pain: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Framework for Physical Therapists

  2023cites this paper
• Cognitive inflexibility and heightened error monitoring are related to lower sexual functioning.

  2023cites this paper
• Sexual Satisfaction among Lebanese Adults: Scale Validation in Arabic and Correlates Following Two Cross-Sectional Studies

  2023cites this paper
• Fibromyalgia syndrome is associated with sexual dysfunction regardless of physical activity status: a cross-sectional study.

  2023cites this paper
• The impact of childbirth on women's sexuality and methods of treating its disorders

  2023cites this paper
• The impact of intensive trauma-focused treatment on sexual functioning in individuals with PTSD

  2023cites this paper
• Physical Activity Protects Women with Type 1 Diabetes from Sexual Dysfunctions

  2023cites this paper
• Introducing a Clinical Practice Guideline in Physiotherapy to Address Sexuality in Adults with a Neuromuscular Disorder.

  2023cites this paper
• AKDENİZ DİYETİ İLE BİRLİKTE UYGULANAN AEROBİK EGZERSİZİN VÜCUT KOMPOZİSYONU, BEDENİ BEĞENME VE CİNSEL YAŞAM KALİTESİ ÜZERİNE ETKİSİ

  2022cites this paper
• What Are the Physical Demands of Sexual Intercourse? A Systematic Review of the Literature

  2022cites this paper
• Effects of combined aerobic-strength training and yoga on quality of life and related parameters in women with pituitary adenoma after surgery: a randomized cross-over study.

  2022cites this paper
• Changes in satisfaction with female genital self-image and sexual function after a Qigong exercise intervention in Spanish postmenopausal women: a randomized-controlled trial

  2022cites this paper
• Physical activity and social support are associated with quality of life in middle-aged women

  2022cites this paper
• Living Your Best Life: Lifestyle Medicine for All Women

  2022cites this paper
• The Effect of Foot Reflexology on the Quality of Sexual Life in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

  2022cites this paper
• Isotemporal Associations of Device-Measured Sedentary Time and Physical Activity with Cardiac-Autonomic Regulation in Previously Pregnant Women

  2022cites this paper
• Post-Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Sexual Dysfunctions (PSSD): Clinical Experience with a Multimodal Approach

  2022cites this paper
• Yoga To Improve Women’s Sexual Function

  2022cites this paper
• Percepção de mulheres sobre a fisioterapia aquática na pós-menopausa: um estudo qualitativo

  2022cites this paper
• Women's perception about hydrotherapy in postmenopause: a qualitative study

  2022cites this paper
• Treatment of Sexual Dysfunction in Women with Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Disorders: A Systematic Review.

  2022cites this paper
• Patient-Reported Sexual Function Among Young Adult Cancer Survivors

  2022cites this paper
• Prevalence of and Factors Affecting Sexual Dysfunction in Women of Reproductive Age

  2022cites this paper
• Aerobic Exercise and Resistance Training to Improve Sexual Health and Emotional Problems of Obese Women

  2022influential citation
• Distinct Protocols of Physical Exercise May Improve Different Aspects of Well-being in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

  2021cites this paper
• Rate, burden, and treatment of sexual dysfunction in multiple sclerosis: The case for exercise training as a new treatment approach.

  2021cites this paper
• Chronic irisin exposure decreases sexual incentive motivation in female rats.

  2021cites this paper
• Association of Physical Activity and Sedentary Time with Cardio-Autonomic Regulation in Women

  2021cites this paper
• Effect of Foot Reflexology on Sexual Function of Patients under Hemodialysis: A Randomized Parallel Controlled Clinical Trial

  2021influential citation
• Fecundability in reproductive aged women at risk of sexual dysfunction and associated risk factors: a prospective preconception cohort study

  2021cites this paper
• Sexualität und Intimität bei depressiven Erkrankungen

  2021cites this paper
• Metabolisch-vaskuläre und endokrine Faktoren der Sexualität

  2021cites this paper
• Physical Activity and Female Sexual Dysfunction: A Lot Helps, But Not Too Much.

  2021cites this paper
• Can passive pedaling improve sexual function in patients under hemodialysis? A randomized clinical trial

  2021cites this paper
• Endometriosis—A Multifaceted Problem of a Modern Woman

  2021cites this paper
• Fungsi Seksual Wanita Menopause yang Melakukan Orhiba Kombinasi Kegel Exercise: Studi Pengukuran Skor FSFI

  2021cites this paper
• Sexual functioning in depression

  2021cites this paper
• Sexual Dysfunction in Young Women with Type 1 Diabetes

  2020cites this paper
• Aquatic exercising may improve sexual function in females with multiple sclerosis - an exploratory study.

  2020cites this paper
• Influential factors on sexual function in infertile women with endometriosis: a path analysis

  2020cites this paper
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor-Induced Sexual Dysfunction: Current Management Perspectives

  2020cites this paper
• Predictors of Sexual Desire and Sexual Function in Sedentary Middle-Aged Adults: The Role of Lean Mass Index and S-Klotho Plasma Levels. The FIT-AGEING Study.

  2020cites this paper
• Differences of Sexual Function: A Study in Two Menopause Groups

  2020cites this paper
• Effects of Physical Exercise on Sexual Function and Quality of Sexual Life Related to Menopausal Symptoms in Peri- and Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review

  2020cites this paper
• Healthy Sexuality

  2020cites this paper
• Little things mean a lot: Using the biopsychosocial model for daily reports of sexual intimacy

  2020influential citation
• Lifestyle modifications alone or combined with hormonal contraceptives improve sexual dysfunction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

  2020cites this paper
• Sexual function in women with androgen excess disorders: classic forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia and polycystic ovary syndrome

  2020cites this paper
• Prevalence of sexual dysfunction and related factors among diabetes mellitus patients in Southwest Ethiopia

  2019cites this paper
• Management Strategies for Antidepressant-Related Sexual Dysfunction: A Clinical Approach

  2019cites this paper
• Medication Use and Sexual Function: A Population-Based Study in Middle Aged Women.

  2019cites this paper
• Physical activity as an adjunct treatment for erectile dysfunction

  2019cites this paper
• Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors: Consensus Statement from International Multidisciplinary Roundtable

  2019cites this paper
• Comparison of the Effect of Intermittent and Continuous Aerobic Physical Training on Sexual Function of Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Randomized Controlled Trial.

  2018cites this paper
• Pilates and Tribulus terrestris , an Effective Intervention Protocol to Improve Sexual Performance in Postmenopausal Women

  year unknowncites this paper